Machias will be filled with the sights and sounds of history during the Margaretta Days Festival on Friday and Saturday, June 14 and 15, as homage is made to significant historical events that occurred in June of 1775.
     There will be fife and drum music, cannon fire, historical reenactments, great food and an assortment of items made by Maine artisans and crafters, all in celebration of the past. The festival will again take place on the commons of the University of Maine at Machias.
Margaretta Days Festival celebrates the story of the naval skirmish on the open waters off of Machias with the British ship Margaretta shortly after the outbreak of conflict in Lexington and Concord. This skirmish has since become recognized as the first naval battle of the American Revolution.
     Members of the Machias Committee of Safety (MCOS), a historical reenactors group, are excited to be playing a major role at the festival this year. The group just finished a documentary film shot in the waters off Bar Harbor, using three ships provided by Downeast Windjammers, to reenact the battle of Machias and the taking of the Margaretta. "We are really looking forward to both Friday and Saturday, as our group will provide plenty of exciting action by bringing history to life on the battlefield," says MCOS founder Joe McBrine. On Friday evening starting at 7:30 p.m., MCOS will conduct the first of five planned skirmishes.
     A highlight of this year's event will be performances by the Piscataqua Rangers Junior Fife and Drum Corps. Started four years ago as a boys' ministry by Tom Merriam, the effort evolved into a boys and girls junior fife and drum group performing at events throughout New Hampshire and Maine. Merriam says, "We hope to bring some fife and drum magic and inspiration to this year's festival."
     Carlene Holmes and the Machias Historical Society have organized and coordinated this festival for 15 years. Holmes believes this year is a turning point for the event as it zeroes in on the pure history that tells a story to the delight of young and old. "Once again I'm looking forward to remembering the bravery of those early settlers who stood together against the biggest military power in the world," says Holmes. "How a small group came together to fight for what they believed in and how our generous Wabanaki neighbors came to our aid. I hope our audience enjoys meeting the descendants of the original patriots and our youth see how their ancestors lived and what they fought for. It's an inspirational story."
     In recognition of the Native American support the patriots received during the confrontations with the British, Dwayne Tomah, a Passamaquoddy language teacher, will speak about the recent discovery of the world's oldest anthropological field recordings. The recordings are on wax cylinders dated 1890 and contain Passamaquoddy narratives and songs. In addition to the discussion, Passamaquoddy drummers will also be performing.
     Along with the noted performances, activities include: breakfast served at the American Legion on Saturday morning; music performed throughout the day; frying pan toss sponsored by Arise Addiction Recovery; a colonial pie booth; historical talks and walks; Native American and patriot encampments; contemporary artists and crafters; and of course, plenty of history in dress, games and food. The Burnham Tavern will be open from 1‑4 p.m.
     "Our local reenactors have done an outstanding job promoting the important roles the people of the Machias area played in winning the Revolutionary War," says McBrine. "It is time to share our story, and this event allows us the opportunity to do just that. We invite visitors to come and see history come to life in Downeast Maine."
     The festival starts Friday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m. with a historical reenactment skirmish on the soccer field at UMM. Festivities will continue throughout the day Saturday, June 15, beginning at 7:30 a.m. A complete schedule of events can be found at <www.margarettadays.com>.