Mon, 08/06/2012 - 3:30pm

JOHN MAGUIRE, Staff Reporter

Robert Meixell of Westport Island is the owner and chief trustee of his farm “powerplant,” one of several machines he brought to Maine from Pennsylvania. The powerplant was one of a few machines and interesting gadgets at the celebration. JOHN MAGUIRE/Wiscasset Newspaper

Woolwich residents gathered on the sloping grounds of the town office by Nequasset Brook for an annual celebration of the town. Warm sunshine and a light breeze accompanied the Aug. 4 event, which started off with a pancake breakfast served up by the town's emergency services personnel.

Throughout the day, craft vendors sold handmade items, homemade ice cream and other food (click here to watch the gas-powered John Deere ice cream machine in motion). There was a silent auction, games for children, including a jump tent, and historical items on display. The Woolwich Historical Society opened up the Nequasset Meeting House for people and, just outside the historical meeting house, Rev. Dr. Alan Baughcum gave a Blessing of the Animals. Children also had the opportunity to take pony cart rides on the town office grounds.

Many children and adults participated in the annual Woolwich Day one mile fun run and 10k road race. Runners took off down the George Wright Road onto Barley Neck Road, onto Hockamock Road and returned by way of Barley Neck Road, 6.25 miles.

“We wanted to have the race away from all the traffic,” road race founder Bob Meade said. Meade discovered the road race course and encouraged all to participate seven years ago. Since then it has become a Woolwich tradition.

Results of the Bob Meade Classic

Men 22 and over: Tim Harkins of Arrowsic came in first place (47:56), followed by Wesley Chaput of Marion, Mass., (49:22) and Joe Miller of Old Town (52:34).

Women 22 and over: MacKenzie Sheldon of Jamaica Plain, Mass., came in first (56:14), followed by Erica James of Woolwich (57:46) and Joanie Rhoda of Washington (58:14).

10K runners

Craig Tuck (Harpswell), Alec Brodsky (Woolwich), Philip Ingle (Harpswell), Irwin Brodsky (Woolwich), Henry Gioffrion (Georgetown), Meg McDiamid (Georgetown), Alex Forest (Brunswick), Rebecca Kosakowski (Woolwich), Jenny Jorgensen (West Bath), and Rachel Snell (Old Town). The 10K also had two walkers who brought their dog: Morgan and Donnie Boyd of Woolwich.

The Fun Run

Chase Nicolino of Woolwich (9:25) came in first, followed by Elliot Harkins of Arrowsic (10:34) and Henry Gioffrion of Georgetown (10:34).

Fun Run participants included Olivia and Jackson Fuller, Robert Reed, Hollis James, Edie McKay, Grace Delano, Ava Kosakowski and Lily Wright.

A photo album of the day is available here.