Eastport's Fourth of July 2007 was another successful celebration of America's independence and Old Home Week, sum up Barbara Hicks and Roland Mitchell, co-chairmen of the Eastport Fourth of July Committee.

     "The visit of the United States Navy destroyer U.S.S. McFaul, under the command of Commander Mary Jackson, and the officers and the crew highlighted the week," stresses Mitchell. "They participated in all events. Also, a special military veterans' visitation aboard the ship was a great success, and citizens were welcomed aboard every day of the ship's visit."

     It was so busy downtown that one local business invited customers to buy some of its food and sit down to "watch the greatest show on earth."

     July 1 was Canada Day and the first official day of Old Home Week in Eastport, where the winner of the Charles E. Davis 7 Mile Race, Andrew Seeley of Eastport, beat second-place finisher Ozzie Townsend Jr. by 42 seconds. Last year's first woman finisher, Stephanie Allard, again beat the other lady runners. Paul Berg of Machias was the first of the 4 Mile Walk participants to cross the finish line at Bank Square.

     The Frisbee Throwing Contest on Sunday afternoon attracted over 125 contestants to the library lawn. There was also a record number of participants in bike races, where 46 youngsters participated. Twenty of them were just in the age eight-to-ten category.

     The barbecue at the Cobscook Bay Resource Center was a great success. About 115 people enjoyed barbecued ribs, and they ran out of food before the event was scheduled to end, says co-organizer Elizabeth Hopkins. "Most said they hoped it would become an annual event. Looks like we'll be holding the second annual resource center barbecue next year."

     After supper, folks could attend the public reception at the Eastport Recreation Center for the U.S.S. McFaul, which had arrived earlier in the day, and attend the second performance of the popular Moose Island Follies 2007 at the Eastport Arts Center.

     One hundred cupcakes were baked for the Cupcake Decorating Contest on Monday morning, July 2, but there were so many entrants that the organizers ran out. Another large contingent, 92 in all, competed in the Watermelon Eating Contest, where Barbara Hicks points out that the late John Mullen was especially missed this year. "He was always the one cutting up the watermelons in the background," she notes. "But he just overall loved the Fourth of July."

     Hicks was in charge of the Pet Show and reports being surprised that all of the entrants were dogs. "That was unusual. We always have something bizarre, but not this year."

     Among the other events on Welcome Home Day were movies of Old Eastport and the film Captains Courageous shown at the Eastport Arts Center, the annual Talent Show held at Shead High School and the opening reception at the Tides Institute & Museum of Art for its new exhibition: "Selected Eastport Artwork from the Private Collection of Ross Y. Furman."

     On the morning of Tuesday, July 3, Armed Services Day, the American Legion Auxiliary served breakfast to a large crowd, and the Quoddy Maritime Museum auction was very successful. "Chris Gardner was the auctioneer," says Hicks of the Eastport port director. "He was selling $25 gift certificates for $27.50! He missed his calling."

     Shortly before noon, there was a fly-by featuring two A10 Warthogs from Barnes Air National Guard base in Massachusetts. "People in Pembroke told me they got to see it, too. They flew low there," reports Hicks.

     The Friends of the Library ran out of strawberries before they ran out of prospective diners at their annual Strawberry Shortcake Sale. There was a brief ceremony inside the Peavey Memorial Library in the early afternoon when the stacks were officially named the "John Pike Grady Room" in the presence of his sister Doris Newquist and members of the Eastport Public Library Association. The ceremony was videotaped and the tape, as well as a strawberry shortcake, were run up to Mr. Grady in the Eastport Memorial Nursing Home, where he has been a resident for several months.

     Eastport Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief and Firemen's Muster participant Mark Cook says the event was fun and guessed that Celia Cummings of the Perry team got the wettest.

     All of the concerts scheduled during Old Home Week drew crowds, but hometown boy Charlie Brown's return performance on July 3 was so popular that Barbara Hicks had to fetch another truckload of chairs for his audience.

     Traditionally called Old Timers Night, the annual July 3 get-together at the Knights of Pythias Hall is trying to appeal to a wider range of ages, and disc jockey Dottie Barnes provided the music. "Now we're calling it Old Timers'/New Timers' Night," says Hicks. "We want people of all generations to go."

     About 20 people, including the commander of the U.S.S. McFaul, gathered for this year's July 4 flag raising at sunrise. In past years, John Pike Grady traditionally gave a speech, but this year Karen Theriault stepped up and did the honors.

     Barbara Hicks says the late Johnny Greenlaw was also missed, especially on the morning of July 4 when he always helped with the Calithumpian Parade. "He would walk around with his big committee ribbon on, giving people a hand. And he never missed a [Fourth of July Committee] meeting."

     Over 20 planes, the most ever, touched down in Eastport for the Fourth of July celebration, and approximately 950 diners enjoyed the Blueberry Pancake Breakfast at the airport this year. In town, the fish chowder lunch at Christ Episcopal Church sold out by 12:15 p.m. Over at the Eastport Senior Citizen Center, Persis Mooers reports that they didn't sell as many sandwiches as last year, but they did well, "and we're looking forward to doing it again next year."

     Aboard the Sylvina W. Beal, Justice of the Peace Mary Pottle married a couple on the morning of July 4. The bride is the northeast regional manager of IGA, and Robert and Shelley Arsenault stood up with them. "I think the salt air and the Fourth of July in Eastport is like pixie dust to them. They want what we have, and it doesn't get any more hometown proud than that," says Robert.

     The reigning champion, Frank Lank, retained his title in the adult division of the Blueberry Pie Eating contest. Once again, the pies were supplied by some of Eastport's greatest bakers, Frances Mitchell, Muriel Randall, Ella Kowal, Melinda Krestel and Cindy Elliott.

     The 29th annual Buddy Allen Car Show featured a record 57 registered participants. Thanks go out to the three crew members from the U.S.S. McFaul, Ensign Doug Campbell, Chief Petty Officer David Close and Petty Officer First Class Steve Davis.

     Although there was no exact number available, R&M IGA owners Roger and Merrill Conti were told that the turnout to sing the Oscar Mayer jingle for the company's Wienermobile matched that of larger cities where the contest was taking place. The winner will receive tickets to an American Idol show in Hollywood.

     As usual, the town was packed for the viewing of the Independence Day Parade. Nearly a full complement of officers and crew from the McFaul, along with Commander Mary Jackson, marched in dress uniform followed by veterans' marching units, a drum and bugle corps, bands, bagpipers, floats, horses, Shriners and beauty contest winners.

     Federal, state and local politicians of both parties marched together in the parade, although it was noticed that Governor John Baldacci was not wearing a wide smile like the others. He did not do well in Washington County in last November's election.

     "Of course, our own John Grady, though missing, was there in spirit," says Mitchell of the vehicle driven by Buck Suddy at the end of the parade. A seat held the familiar yellow fisherman's gear traditionally worn by Mr. Grady every year, as well as the trident he always carried. "Thank you for all the years, John Pike Grady."

     Clouds moved in after the parade, and for quite a while it looked as if, like last year, the fireworks would have to be cancelled. However, a wind shift saved the day, or rather the night, and a glorious display lit up the skies over the harbor.

     "It is impossible to thank everyone who believes in our Fourth of July celebration, but we can thank all the workers and great cooks, contributors of goods and services, and those who give their time so that you have the best," sums up Mitchell. "And a special thanks to all our Eastport area friends who were not able to attend but continue to support us."