PATTEN, Maine (WABI) – Pioneer Days is back in Patten.

“What I like about it is that a lot of people who have moved away come home. They go on vacation that week. They stay with their family because then their kids can see other kids or cousins ​​and get together. There are events that keep them together as a group and it’s fun to come back home,” said Valorie Nason, a longtime volunteer with Pioneer Days.

“The whole community comes together and everyone prepares all this for us. We enjoy it every year. It’s so much fun. People come, meet each other and have a good time,” said Ashley Savage, a volunteer with Pioneer Days.

Pioneer Days began on Monday and so far the program includes a movie night, frog races, a color run and a watermelon eating contest.

“You had to eat the watermelon with your face, without hands. I ate four pieces because I love it so much,” said Amelia, a participant in the watermelon eating contest.

“There are a lot more people participating this year and there are a lot more activities than in other years. When I was younger, it was obviously a lot more fun because I could do all these things. Now that I’m older, I can help out, which is still really fun,” said Kenzie Branscombe, who always went to Pioneer Days as a child.

“We’ve had people join us this year and it’s been wonderful. When I started I thought, ‘Oh, I’ll do it for a couple of years,’ but now I actually look forward to it. In the winter, when I’m bored, I do it,” Nason said.

There is much more planned for Friday and Saturday, with a rubber duck race, fireworks, horse pulling and a parade in the colors red, white and blue still on the program.

“There are a lot of floats. They give out prizes for the best floats. They try to fit the theme. This year it’s about American pride, which I love, and I think there will be a lot of good floats,” Nason added.

All upcoming and past events can be found on the Patten Pioneer Days Facebook page.

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