An antique car passes a porch filled with people on Main Street at the 2022 Bethel Summerfest. Rose Lincoln

BETHEL — The Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce staff, Jessie Perkins, John Walker and Cathy Howe, are hard at work planning and continuing a tradition that started 75 years ago.

Bethel’s Summerfest will be held July 15. While it is the second year as Summerfest, the event has been happening since 1948 when it began as The Bethel Bazaar.

A photo from the Portland Press Herald on August 12, 1953 shows the committee of eight at the fifth annual bazaar, Kimball Ames, Harriet Noyes, Josephine Tripp, Frank Nary, Stanley Davis, Leslie Marcuse, June Greig, and Charles Heino, in a group photo taken by photographer, Charles Hall.

They were surely some of the earliest pioneers of this day of fun.

2023

In 2023 events will start on Friday, July 14 at 1 p.m., with most events on Saturday, July 15, rain or shine.

Events Manager Walker said they need volunteers and have not finalized all events.

Vendors, however, are booked. There will be a fully packed Bethel Common, said Perkins, “Things have totally bounced back in that way. Last year was kind of a re-start year.” she said, of the COVID pause.

Perhaps to celebrate the bounce back, there will be a bounce house on the historical society lawn. It is a new addition.

There are new food vendors, too. The PTA will make sno-cones and two Rumford vendors will be there. The Volkernicks will be selling their homemade sausages and Mike Philbrick will sell baked potatoes and apple crisp.

Along with the “professional” crafters who make the rounds from fair to fair, there will be a local-crafters-only tent on Bethel Common.

While not all events are fully booked or staffed, many are returning, including the ever-popular Bethel Library book sale that starts on Friday at 1 p.m.

At noon Saturday, a crowd favorite returns, “Wildlife Encounters.” As in the past, the show will be held at the gazebo on Bethel Common.

Around town are other Saturday events like the  “All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast,” from 7 -10 a.m. at Masonic Lodge, 6 Chapman Street; The “Sluice” from 10 a.m. -4 p.m. at Maine Mineral and Gem Museum, 99 Main Street and The Market on Main, from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. at The Bethel United Methodist Church, 75 Main Street.

People will have their pick of live music on Saturday at: Mount Abram, Bethel Resort and Suites, River Lanes, Suds Pub and on the Bethel Common, too, where Steve Moore will play.

The historical society will have a slew of exhibits, too, said Perkins.

The day will be capped off with fireworks at the Bethel Resort and Suites at 9:15 p.m.

Newry fire truck in the parade at 2022 Bethel Summerfest. Rose Lincoln photo

Parade

The 2023 parade theme is, “Mahoosuc Adventures” and parade registration is open.

“Any van, truck tractor, old car anything with your logo on it. We’d love to see it in the parade,” said Perkins.

“We just want to see how you like to have fun, ATV, kayak, skis … floats, marching bands, anything,” said Walker who was interviewed by Stan and Alison Bennett on OXO Country, in Norway on Thursday, June 8.

Anyone is welcome to join the parade, you can register in advance or show up on the 15th at the start, sign the waiver, and be good to go, said Walker.

They plan to be more creative with the prizes they award to the floats, rather than just first, second, third, as in year’s past.

The parade will set sail at River Lanes on Cross Street at 11AM. It will take a right onto Maine Street, go around the Bethel Common, then a left on Church Street where it will disperse past Gould Academy.

The OXO host Stan Bennett said he and co-host, Alison Bennett, plan to be at the parade.

Like last year, “Fingers are crossed for perfect weather,” said Walker

“It’s a big, fun summer day. The best way to experience it is just show up. You’ll bump into somebody you know. You’ll have some once-a-year fair food. You’ll have a great time,” said Perkins.

For more information, go to: bethelmaine.com or bethelsummerfest.com.