Founders Day 2009 will begin Friday evening, July 17th, and extend through
Sunday morning, July 19th. Once again the organizations, businesses, and townspeople
of Union are going all out to ensure a successful celebration of the Town's
founding some 235 years ago. There are a lot of events planned to keep everyone
actively engaged throughout the celebration.
| Parade, float contest | Jim Justice | 542-4844 |
| Bike decorating contest | Joyce Grotton | 542-4844 |
| Events on the Common | Buddy Savage | 785-5261 |
| Tables for vendors and crafters on the Common | Jim Justice | 542-4844 |
| Come Spring bus tour of Union historic sites | Connie Day | 785-2293 |
| Golf tournament at the Union Country Club | Hank Aho | 845-2347 |
| Program, publicity, and all else | John Gibbons | 542-9098 |
A preliminary plan was put forward by the selectmen. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact the appropriate selectman. Our thanks to John Gibbons for keeping us informed. Please keep in mind that this is plan in progress, and many things may change between now and July 17. We'll do our best to keep you informed, so check this site frequently.
The celebration begins with a pie social and music on the Union Common, sponsored by the Union Area Chamber of Commerce. Hot dogs, burgers, veggie burgers, and soda, plus pie and music, all on the Common, Bring a blanket or chair, and a pie to share if you wish. Benefits the Chamber’s scholarship fund. In case of rain, the Thompson Community Center, in the spirit of Founders Day, graciously offered their gym free of charge to the chamber.
Union Historical Society member & Maine Guide Lyle Cramer (233-2979 & leave a message or 845-5115) will conduct his annual canoe trips on Friday, July 17 at 6 pm and Saturday,July 18 at 9:00 am. and 6:00 p.m.. Participants will see "Come Spring" sites and wildlife. Don't forget your camera! There are eagle chicks, fox kits, loons, ducks, deer all over Union. Lyle provides the canoes (or feel free to bring your own), and will lead the trip and point out the interesting landmarks and historic features along the way. It's a two-hour trip, leaving from and returning to Ayer Park. Reservations are advised (call Lyle at 233.2979), but walk-ups are welcome as space allows. No charge. Begin and end at Ayer Park, Depot St.. The trip lasts about 2 hours.
Founders Day starts with a pancake breakfast at the People’s United Methodist Church on Depot street, just off the Common (behind the Post Office). Hosted by the Youth Group.
Bike decorating contest, at the Union Fire & EMS station. Prizes in four age categories, from toddler through age 12. Special prize for most-creative entry. Kids and bikes will be in the parade afterward. Kids, decorate your bikes, bring a bike helmet (for the parade), and enter the contest! Pre-registration at the Town Office is encouraged (to help with head count), but last-minute entries are welcome.
Guided by Lyle Cramer, canoe trip on Seven Tree Pond. See above for details.
Sponsored by the Union Historical Society, the annual Come Spring Bus Tour departs from the Old Town House on Town House Road off the Common, Tickets are priced at $10.00. This popular narrated 2-hour bus tour follows the Georges River Scenic Byway and identifies sites where Union's early settlers built cabins and lived. The names of the settlers are documented in town records and their lives and stories are recounted by Ben Ames Williams in his 1940 historical novel Come Spring, recently reprinted by the Historical Society. Included in the tour are dismount stops at four historic sites, of which three are located on private property and are not open to the public at other times. After visiting settlers' grave sites in the Common Cemetery on Ayer Hill, the tour will stop at the cellar hole of the cabin where Philip Robbins' large family spent a crowded winter in 1776, and then at the homestead of Robbins' oldest son David. After a circuit over the blueberry barrens of Clarry Hill, tour participants visit the site of the "Royal Mess", the bachelor home of Jason Ware, Joel Adams and Matthias Hawes, overlooking the hillside where Adams and his wife Mima Robbins built their home. Come Spring Bus Tour tickets may be purchased in advance at the Robbins House, headquarters of Union Historical Society, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, by calling 785-5444 and leaving a message.
The museum will be open at the Thompson Community Center. Yearbooks and many other memorabilia from the distant past, plus schoolroom settings and more.
Starting from the Fire & EMS Station the parade will proceed to the Union Common. Fire Department, Ambulance service, veterans, scouts, many other Union groups and businesses.
Music, demonstrations, group acts, and games for the kids.
Hay rides around the Common, and tractor-drawn wagon transportation among event sites: Thompson Center, Union Common, and the Matthews Museum at the Union Fairgrounds.
Details to be announced soon.
Chicken barbecue with side dishes, organized by the Union Masonic Hall and served on the Common, rain or shine. (Tent in case of rain.)
Open house (no charge) at the Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage in the Union Fairgrounds. Many farm implements and elements of everyday life from the early days of Union. An old tool usage demonstration is planned during that time. The museum new extention will be ready WITH the Moxie Bottle Stand in it, and, hopefully, the one horse shay will be there too.
Spaghetti supper, organized by the Union Fire & EMS departments.
Organized by the Union Historical Society and guided by Lyle Cramer, canoe trip on Seven Tree Pond. See above for details.
The past comes to life again with the screening of a classic silent movie at Union's Old Town House on Town House Road. The Union Historical Society will present CITY LIGHTS, filmed in 1931 and starring Charlie Chaplin alongside Virginia Cherrill and Harry Myers. Doug Protsik from the band called The Old Grey Goose, will play the non-stop piano accompaniment from Chaplin's original score. another great silent movie at the Old Town House in the evening.
The Thompson Community Center will have a Saturday night dance special. Details forthcoming.
18-hole scramble golf tournament at the Union Country Club on Barrett Hill Road. Open to all, but limited to nine teams of four participants each. Proceeds from entry fees to be donated to the Vose Library capital campaign. For more information and reservations, contact Hank Aho, 845.2347.
Sponsored by the People's United Methodist Church. In case of rain the worship will take place at the church on Depot Street, behind the Post Office.
