The skies were bright blue and clear. The sounds from musical performances could be heard throughout the village. Children’s laughter, melting ice cream, windchimes and colorful beachwear filled Shipyard Park in Mattapoisett. The Lions Club’s Harbor Days fundraiser was in full swing to the delight of hundreds of festival goers on July 20 and 21.
Leading up to this annual event, there were other entertaining happenings.
The Mattapoisett Town Band, a group comprised of professional and emerging performers, struck up tunes from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm on July 17 in the gazebo (a much-loved structure gifted to the town by the club) as strawberry shortcake was served up under the big tent.
The band plays every Wednesday night through August under the direction of conductor Jayson Newell. The shortcakes sold out once again. Throughout the festival days, the crowds were entertained by local favorites Showstoppers and many other entertainers.
There was a paint night where crafters were led through the painting process. This year there were adult and children’s versions. Other preceding activities included the Friday night fish fry by Oxford Creamery. Owner Liz Ackerman said they anticipated at least 250 meals would be purchased.
The Sunday morning pancake breakfast on July 21 was another huge success. One festival goer exclaimed, “I don’t know what it is, but I love eating pancakes by the water!” For this event, club members rolled up their sleeves and pumped out yummy platefuls.
And not to be overlooked was the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club Taste of the Town held on July 16 in which food favorites from local restaurants were sampled.
What started out as a one-day community fundraising get-together over strawberry shortcake has become nearly a weeklong happening in Shipyard Park, but how did it begin, you might wonder. For that answer, we caught up with Bruce Rocha, a club member for the last 61 years.
“It started with Arthur Blackburn,” said Rocha.
Blackburn suggested that a small, strawberry-shortcake event might become more interesting and profitable to the fund-raising efforts of the club, if they added craft booths. The rest is history, as each successive year, the event grew from a small hometown affair to a regional, multiday happening with over 100 booths.
Current president Lynne Foley told The Wanderer about the challenges faced hosting such a massive event.
“Costs have gone up on everything, but this is our main fund-raising event,” she said.
Beyond the Lions Club’s focus on eye research and the distribution of eyeglasses around the globe, Foley said other health issues such as diabetes, childhood cancers and youth-based programs all benefit from the Lions Club. Foley said the local chapter not only provides scholarships to local students but also supports students participating in Boy Scout and Girl Scout activities. But it isn’t easy.
For Harbor Days to happen, nearly every Town Hall department plays a part, from the Police and Fire to the Highway Department and Harbormaster. It takes the contributions of many, Foley acknowledged.
There are currently 62 members in the Mattapoisett Lion Club with approximately 30 still active. Foley stated, “…most are over 60 and many are over 70 years old.” She expressed concern over the need to get younger people involved but said, “…it’s hard with people being busy with their children’s activities and maybe even taking care of their own parents.” But she also believes the club is strong and looking to the future.
And speaking of the future, as a give-back to the community and in support of all families in the area, the Lions hosts an October “free family-fun festival” with games, pumpkins, refreshments and a hayride through the town.
By Marilou Newell