The weather was perfect as Wiscasset celebrated summer with on the town common on Saturday, July 22 with Summerfest, the annual celebration held by the First Congregational Church. There was a book sale, a jewelry sale, a treasure sale, crafts by the Ladies Organ Society, wood crafts, a garden sale, a jumble sale, a “Christmas in July” sale, toy sale, a silent auction featuring dozens of items and services from local businesses and people, and  food from the Uncommon Cafe, including hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken teriyaki, sandwiches and pastries, as well as very welcome cold drinks.

There were games and activities for kids, and the annual dog parade, which had five dogs. Each was a winner, and they all proudly accepted medals. Frodo, a springer spaniel from Westport Island took part with his family, Phil and Jessica Metzger.

Some visitors came long distances to the fete.  A couple from Kobe, Japan examined the wood working crafts. Hisao and Kasumi Nakamura said they were driving through town to Rockport, where they were going to stay at the Samoset Resort. They saw the festival and decided to pull over to see what was going on. “We’ll have lunch here, I think,” Kasumi said.

A couple of sisters from Washington D.C., tried to teach a younger boy how to hula hoop in the children’s area.  They went on to get their faces painted and to look at the toys for sale.

All proceeds from the sales and the silent auctions benefit local service agencies. This year marked the 34th annual Summerfest, with music from a number of local artists, and fair food that was a little more than typical fair fare. At least 100 visitors, not counting vendors and musicians, attended.