John Miller rows as son Matthew, 6, navigates during the blindfolded dinghy races in Cundy’s Harbor on Aug. 6. The father-son duo won the third heat and the runoff to take the $100 prize. (REBECCA NORDEN-BRIGHT PHOTO)
Despite sometimes sweltering heat, residents and visitors alike flocked to Cundy’s Harbor Days throughout the weekend of Aug. 5-7. The celebration is put on by neighborhood organizations, including the Holbrook Community Foundation and the Cundy’s Harbor Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.
The festival kicked off with a parade through the village and an ice cream social at Cundy’s Harbor Community Hall on Friday, Aug. 5. During the parade, a float carrying children with squirt guns joined several emergency vehicles and antique cars.
Elizabeth Wines, 8, takes a careful step forward during the lobster crate races at Holbrook’s Wharf on Aug. 6. (REBECCA NORDEN-BRIGHT PHOTO)
The festivities continued Saturday with the traditional blindfolded dinghy races and lobster crate races at Holbrook’s Wharf.
In the dinghy races, one person rows blindfolded while a partner guides them around the treacherous course. If the dinghy hits another entrant or any other boat, it is disqualified. Participants pay a $5 entry fee.
The top two finishers in each of three heats advanced to a runoff. John Miller and his 6-year-old son, Matthew, came out on top in the runoff, taking home the $100 cash prize.
In the next competition, kids and adults alike attempted to run across wooden lobster crates strung off the wharf. The races are broken down into three heats based on weight. The first heat, for contestants under 100 pounds, was the most competitive. The winners were Ryan Miller in the first heat, Spencer Groo in the second (100-150 pounds) and Josh Miller in the third (more than 150 pounds).
The driver of an antique Ford Spirit convertible waves during the Cundy’s Harbor Days parade on Aug. 5. (J.W. OLIVER PHOTO)
On Sunday morning, boats lined up at the wharf behind Watson’s General Store for the annual Blessing of the Fleet. The ceremony opened with a reading of the “Fisherman’s Psalm” and a performance of “The Lighthouse” by Bailey Island guitarist and singer Butch Lawson.
Pastor Veronica Gonsior, of Cundy’s Harbor Community Church of the Nazarene, led onlookers in a blessing of each passing boat. She waved an evergreen bough and recited, “In the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit, may God bless you and keep you.”
Cundy’s Harbor Days concluded with a dinner at the Community Hall on Sunday evening.
