ADMIRES CENTENNIAL BEARD - Roy Hersey, 90, Washburn's oldest citizen admires Merle Wilcox's beard, the only one grown for the centennial now in progress.More than 40 floats of all descriptions were driven, pulled and pushed down the Main Street past the reviewing stand occupied by the town's 43 oldest residents. The oldest citizen has been officially named as Roy Hersey, 90.
The other oldest citizens were all over 75 years of age. During the parade they received a salute from the Stepperette Drawn Majorettes, of Caribou.
The parade included an old - timers float by Tater State with a number of girls dancing; The Wesleyon Guild float consisting of a hayrack full of girls performing household chores such as making butter with antique household items; a hand drawn fire engine; about a dozen antique autos, and a number of horses and buggies.
First prize for the most authentic antique costume went to the remaining member of the class of Washburn High School of 1907, Mrs. Mary Humphrey, who drove a horse and buggy, accompanied by her grandson; Thomas Vaughn.
Second prize went to Mr. and Mrs. Laurel Thompson in the Washburn Insurance Agency car and third prize was Merle Wilcox, in costume and sporting a full black beard and driving an antique car.
A trophy was awarded the first prize winner Thursday evening during coronation ceremonies for the "Miss Washburn" pageant.
The town's Main Street was lined with flags and banners and various antiques, some of the citizens were decked out in original costumes. There were no beards being worn by the men, however.
William Forbes, general chairman of the celebration, received a telegram of congratulations from Congressman Clifford McIntire at Washington, D. C.
During the afternoon Mrs. Ray Carter held a tea for the 14 "Miss Washburn" queen candidates at her home on Main Street. The candidates included, Sharon Sponberg, Freda Charette, Edwina Rand, Carolyn Bugbee, Lorraine Turner, Sally Kidney, Phyllis Russell, Joanne Maynard, Dianne Kelley, Linda Wood, Diane Plissey, Jeanne Baker, Patricia Fournier and Janice Boyles.
The coronation was held at the Washburn High School Thursday evening with the winning girl being crowned by Harry E. Umphrey. The name of the winner was not available at press time.
Friday's events will include the queen's parade, along with her court, at 12:30 p.m., at 1 p.m., at the community swimming pool, the water carnival will get underway with more than 18 different swimming events.
Contestants from various sections of Aroostook County have registered for the carnival.
An All-Star Little League, Baseball game between Mars Hill and Washburn will be played at 5 p.m., and a baked bean supper will be served in the high school cafeteria.
The evening will be climaxed by a historical review at the high school at 8 p.m., portraying the history of Washburn.
Saturday will feature the grand finale parade with more than 120 show horses from the Aroostook Riding Club and a number of other riding clubs from other sections of New England.
A horse show will be held at 1 p.m. sponsored by the Aroostook Riding Club and a Little League Baseball game will be played during the afternoon.
The Junior Chamber of Commerce will serve a chicken barbecue from 4 to 7 p.m., with a barbecue pit at the horse show ring and another at the high school.
A square dance a high school Saturday evening will conclude the celebration.
ADMIRES CENTENNIAL BEARD - Roy Hersey, 90, Washburn's oldest citizen admires Merle Wilcox's beard, the only one grown for the centennial now in progress.
MISS WASHBURN CENTENNIAL - Miss Sharon Sponberg, 16, is reigning as queen of Washburn's centennial celebration, after being crowned Thursday evening. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Sponberg. The final day of the three-day celebration will be today.
[July 20-22, 1961]