2017 DATES: Wednesday, August 9th – Sunday, August 13th
http://www.internationalhomecomingfestival.com/home.html
​IMPORTANT NOTE: The 2017 Grand Parade will begin in St. Stephen and end in Calais.
Pre-Festival Event! SATURDAY, AUGUST 9​ – International Homecoming Festival Pageants, Washington County Community College, Calais. Boys and girls from newborn to age 10 and young ladies and women (all ages!) are welcome. Established in 1987, the International Homecoming Festival Pageant has been a platinum sponsor of the festival for the last five years, donating $500 annually, and queens and princesses from the pageant assist the committee by hosting and volunteering at many events of festival. Contact Dawn Winchester, 214-8504. https://www.facebook.com/events/1390876294338745/
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9
5:00 pm US/6:00 pm CDN – Opening Ceremony Celebrating International Friendship, Ferry Point Bridge. This ceremony is an annual event demonstrating the friendship between our two countries. All area dignitaries, civic organizations, and community members are invited to attend. Please plan your traveling accordingly as the Ferry Point Bridge will be closed briefly during this event. Spectators are asked to follow behind area dignitaries to the bridge. Sponsored by the International Homecoming Festival Committee.
7:00 pm US – MOVIES! at State Cinemas, 239 Main Street, Calais. Open for International Homecoming Festival, Sunday matinee at 1:30, nightly at 7:00. Info line, 454-8830.
8:00 pm to 11:00 pm US – Kids’ Street Dance, City Building Parking Lot, Calais. Dance for all ages with DJ Jamie Bohanon. Sponsored by Calais Fire Association.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10
9:00 am to 5:00 pm US – A National Park in Calais? YES! St. Croix International Historical Site, Calais. Visit Maine’s second national park—in Calais. It’s FREE! Discover island history on a guided walk or porch talk. View island from short interpretive trail. Exhibits, book store and more! Kids, come earn a Jr. Ranger badge! Route 1, 8 miles south of Calais. Learn more at www.nps.gov/sacr or call 454-3871.​
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm US – Children’s Peanut Fair, behind Calais Elementary School. Plastic peanuts are used for games with prizes for all children. Sponsored by Calais Regional Hospital and the Calais Parent Teacher Group. Contact DeeDee Travis, 454-9227.
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm US – The Doll Hospital, behind Calais Elementary School. A “doctor, nurse, and surgeon” will provide free emergency care for all sick or injured dolls and stuffed animals during the Peanut Fair. A free event sponsored by Calais Regional Hospital. Contact DeeDee Travis, 454-9227.
5:30 pm US – 2017 Blue Devil Alumni Basketball Classic, Calais High School Gym. Lady Devils followed by Blue Devils. Re-live the “glory days” as former Blue Devil standouts take the court once again! Raffles and give-aways for the entire family and ALL proceeds benefit local charities. Find out more on Facebook: Blue Devil Fund. Contact Chris Taylor, 214-9057.
6:00 pm US – Tom Brennan’s art exhibit Opening Night Reception, Camden National Bank, Main Street, Calais. The show will feature recent large colorful CARICATUES of community members and be open throughout August. Highlighting the Opening Night Reception will be a special guest appearance by New England’s preeminent humorist TIM SAMPLE! The evening is bound to tickle your chucklebone! Contact Tom Brennan, 454-8822.
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6:00 pm US – Concert in the Park, downtown triangle park, Calais. Bring a blanket or chair, enjoy the music, and visit with friends during this popular festival event. Contact St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce, 454-2308.
7:00 pm US – MOVIES! at State Cinemas, 239 Main Street, Calais. Open for International Homecoming Festival, Sunday matinee at 1:30, nightly at 7:00. Info line, 454-8830.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11
9:00 am to 5:00 pm US – A National Park in Calais? YES! St. Croix International Historical Site, Calais. Visit Maine’s second national park—in Calais. It’s FREE! Discover island history on a guided walk or porch talk. View island from short interpretive trail. Exhibits, book store and more! Kids, come earn a Jr. Ranger badge! Route 1, 8 miles south of Calais. Learn more at www.nps.gov/sacr or call 454-3871.​
7:00 pm US – MOVIES! at State Cinemas, 239 Main Street, Calais. Open for International Homecoming Festival, Sunday matinee at 1:30, nightly at 7:30. Info line, 454-8830.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12
7:00 am to 9:00 am US – Cow Patti Breakfast followed by Cow Patti Bingo, St. Croix Masonic Hall, Calais. Not to worry, they don’t really serve cow patties for breakfast! Buy a plot of land and if the cow leaves a patti on your square, you win! Sponsored by the Orion Star Club of O.E.S. Contact Nina Crossman, 454-2295.
8:00 am to 4:00 am US – International Street Fair, Calais. Vendors linging Main Street will include arts, crafts, novelties, food vendors, businesses, non-profits, and more. Contact Helen Messemer-Thomas, 454-2308.
8:00 am US – Calais Screen Printing 1-mile Fun Run, Calais Memorial Park. A one-mile run for kids up to age 12, shirts for all participants and awards in many age groups, registration at 7:45, no fee to enter. Sponsored by Calais Screen Printing. Contact Craig Morrison, 454-2761.
9:00 am US – Johnson’s International 5 Mile Road Race, Calais Memorial Park. This two nation race is a USATF and Athletics Canada Certified course that begins in Calais, travels through St. Stephen, and finishes back in the states. Requires participants register from 7:00 to 8:00 am US and provide passport, $15 pre-registration, $20 race day. Contact Craig Morrison, 454-2761.
9:00 am to 5:00 pm US – A National Park in Calais? YES! St. Croix International Historical Site, Calais. Visit Maine’s second national park—in Calais. It’s FREE! Discover island history on a guided walk or porch talk. View island from short interpretive trail. Exhibits, book store and more! Kids, come earn a Jr. Ranger badge! Route 1, 8 miles south of Calais. Learn more at www.nps.gov/sacr or call 454-3871.
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​SATURDAY, AUGUST 12 (continued from previous column)​​
9:00 am US – Rachel Ashley Jewelers Prize Boxes–Win a Diamond! Calais Street Fair. The tradition continues! $5 US or $6 Canadian gets you a chance to win a great prize, maybe even a diamond ring! Contact Danielle Smith, 454-8814.
9:00 am US – Calais Lioness Superdraw, Calais Street Fair. Purchase tickets to win great prizes from nearly 100 local merchants. Drawings at 2:00. Contact Lorraine Mitchell, 454-7587.
9:00 am US – Sabastians Wood Fired Oven, downtown triangle park, Calais. Back to the festival by popular demand, Sabastians specializes in thin crust, wood-fired pizza and other gourmet delights. Don’t let festival end without a taste of this deliciousness!
10:00 am to 4:00 pm US – Giant Inflatable Slide and Obstacle Course, downtown triangle park. Children will enjoy the fun inflatables. FREE! sponsored by the International Homecoming Festival Committee.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm US – Laser Tag, downtown triangle park. Children of all ages will enjoy games of laser tag! FREE! sponsored by the International Homecoming Festival Committee.
10:30 am US – Bike and Doll Carriage Show, downtown triangle park. Come watch this adorable show! Each child 9 and under may decorate a doll carriage, a wagon, a tricycle or a bicycle for this fun showing, helmets are mandatory for children on bikes or trikes. Kids must be able to ride or walk safely by themselves. Meet near the stage. FREE! sponsored by the International Homecoming Festival Committee.
11:00 am US – Story Time with Miss International Homecoming Festival Queens & Princesses, downtown triangle park. Children are invited to bring a blanket and their favorite snack and enjoy stories with some “real queens and princesses.” Meet at the stage. FREE! sponsored by the International Homecoming Festival Committee.
11:30 pm US – Characters in Costume March, downtown triangle park. Kids and kids at heart are invited to dress in costume for a fun grand march with the Miss International Homecoming Festival Queens and Princesses around the triangle park. Prizes awarded in various categories. Meet at the stage. FREE! sponsored by the International Homecoming Festival Committee.
​​​​12:00 pm US/1:00 pm CDN – 43rd Annual International Homecoming Festival Parade! Parade begins in St. Stephen and ends near South Street, Calais. Parade participants are required to pre-register. Applications are available at St. Stephen Town Hall and Calais City Building. Please remember, throwing of anything by parade participants is strictly prohibited. Contact TBD. Sponsored by the International Homecoming Festival Committee.
Following Parade – Calais Lions Club Auction, Main Street, Calais. Stop by the parking lot adjacent to Camden National Bank and make a bid on several items donated from local businesses and organization at this annual auction. All proceeds go toward local Lions Club Charities. Contact Sheridan Smith, 454-8619.
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3:00 pm US – Calais Skatepark “Big Comp,” Calais Skatepark, Calais Avenue, Calais. Skateboarding and BMX bike competition open to all ages and abilities. Fun, food, drinks, music, and prizes. Sponsored by the Calais Skatepark Committee. Contact Randy McCormick, 214-7120.
7:00 pm US – MOVIES! at State Cinemas, 239 Main Street, Calais. Open for International Homecoming Festival, Sunday matinee at 1:30, nightly at 7:00. Info line, 454-8830.
​​SUNDAY, AUGUST 13
9:00 am to 5:00 pm US – A National Park in Calais? YES! St. Croix International Historical Site, Calais. Visit Maine’s second national park—in Calais. It’s FREE! Discover island history on a guided walk or porch talk. View island from short interpretive trail. Exhibits, book store and more! Kids, come earn a Jr. Ranger badge! Route 1, 8 miles south of Calais. Learn more at www.nps.gov/sacr or call 454-3871.​
​10:00 am to 2:00 pm US – Festival Brunch, St. Croix Country Club, 48 River Road, Calais. Open to the public. Contact SCCC, 454-8875.
11:00 am US – Sabastians Wood Fired Oven, downtown triangle park, Calais. Back to the festival by popular demand, Sabastians specializes in thin crust, wood-fired pizza and other gourmet delights. Don’t let festival end without a taste of this deliciousness!
1:30 pm US – MOVIES! at State Cinemas, 239 Main Street, Calais. Open for International Homecoming Festival, Sunday matinee at 1:30, nightly at 7:00. Info line, 454-8830.
1:00 pm US – Live Gospel Music by Doug Rodgerson, downtown Triangle Park. He sings, he plays harmonica, and he likes to have some fun! Bring your blankets and chairs for a great afternoon. Free! Sponsored by the International Homecoming Festival Committee.
7:00 pm US – Live Music by Saturday Night Rock Band, downtown Triangle Park. Enjoy great sounds this popular local band, playing your favorite songs! Bring your blankets and chairs for a great evening leading up to the fantastic Duty Free America’s, Hardwicke’s Fireworks Show! Free! Sponsored by the International Homecoming Festival Committee.
7:00 pm US – MOVIES! at State Cinemas, 239 Main Street, Calais. Open for International Homecoming Festival, Sunday matinee at 1:30, nightly at 7:00. Info line, 454-8830.
8:30 pm US/9:30 pm CDN – Duty Free Americas, Hardwicke’s Fireworks Show, over the St. Croix River. A great view from either side of the river, come end our 44th annual festival with a “bang!” Sponsored by Duty Free Americas, Hardwicke’s.