By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Traditionally, thousands of people visit the Naples Causeway on July 4th for two primary reasons: the parade and the fireworks.

This year, there will be an array of activities taking place on the Village Green prior to the parade. The activities, which take place between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., are family-friendly and centered on the idea of old-fashioned fun. Think of gunny sack races, egg tosses, happy hula hoops and “how low can you go” under the limbo stick.

This is the first year that Naples has events planned before the parade. The series of activities, scheduled during the cooler morning hours, are the brainchild of the community members on the Naples Recreation and Activities Committee.

According to committee Secretary Kathy Keinath, “We recognized that there wasn’t a lot of activities and interest that get people to come and stay in the town some of the day. We brainstormed some ideas to bring people to Naples before the parade.”

“Really, we wanted Naples to have that old-time feel for Independence Day. The theme for the day is The Good Ole Days,” Keinath said. “We will start with a breakfast. That eases into a craft fair with live music. We have a band playing. Then, a game of tug o’ war on the dock so that everyone falls in the water.”

So, 2019 is the first Independence Day that Naples has planned refreshing activities besides the parade and fireworks and swimming. That is partly because of the mission put forth by the Naples Board of Selectmen when they hired the Naples Community Activities Director (CAD) Peter Ceprano and also formed a recreation committee.

“Naples is jam-packed on the 4th of July with visitors and tourists looking to enjoy the water and the sunshine and all the great places to eat and shop. Ideally, we want to enhance that experience and give people more things to do which show a different side of the Town,” Ceprano said.  

“I have an awesome team of volunteers who have been supporting my efforts since coming on board.  They’ve pooled their ideas and talents together provide people a truly quaint and unique experience that day,” Ceprano said.

“I'm actually competing for the traffic to get people here. I’m not sure if the parade was a big draw to bring people in during the day. However, if they come for the activities and then experience our great parade, that will give them a story to leave with to tell their friends,” Ceprano said. “And hopefully, they'll bring them along and return next year!”

Both Ceprano and Kenaith stressed that there is something for all ages and tastes. The young-at-heart can participate along with the “youngsters.”

The children’s games and crafts are slated to take place at Kent’s Landing from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

It is important to mention that the Naples Town Beach — also referred to as Kent’s Landing — will be open to the public on July 4. Usually, only Naples resident can use the beach but for this event all people are invited to partake in the festivities.

“The beach will be open,” Keinath said, adding, “We are well within the ordinance, as long as we have town-sponsored events all day.”

“The kids’ games will be on the beach. Using the beach freed up the [Village] Green for us to use for the other activities,” she said.

“We have two fundraisers going on as well. One is we are selling T-shirt and sweatshirts with the new Naples logo on them. We have one raffle basket with more than $400 worth of goodies in it,” she said. 

Top donors are Brother Flecker’s, Gary’s Olde Towne Tavern, Freedom Café, Good Life Market in Raymond, Cynthia Mae Designs, and Fountain of You Fitness – just to name a few,” she said.

The fundraisers are to bring in income for the Naples Recreation Department to use for its programs and offerings.

Finding something to eat won’t be a worry for families spending time at the Village Green on July 4th. The pancake breakfast will be held inside the Singer Center from 9 to 11 a.m. The cost is $4 for children and $8 for adults. Then, the Sebago Lake Anglers’ Association will be selling burgers and hot dogs for lunch.

About a dozen crafters will have booths set up on the Village Green while the band Blue Velvet Moon provides music. The craft fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the live music goes from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. At the last minute, a face-painting booth was added to the crafts fair.

“Everything will stop by 1:30 p.m., so we can get cleaned up. The parade is going to start at 2 p.m.,” Keinath said.

Since the committee is testing the waters with these pre-parade offering,, committee members are open to feedback about what worked and what could be added or improved.

“We are hoping to start this as a tradition, to learn from what people enjoy and get new ideas,” Keinath said.

She encouraged people to show up early and “to enjoy what we have. I think Naples is a real jewel of the Lake Region. There is a lot of be offered: restaurants, great shops, water recreation.”

“Hopefully, people will be excited to come and spend the day,” she said.

One objective is “to keep people spread throughout the town instead of one spot, to give families time to see the town beach and the dock, 

“We are trying to get people to think about coming to the Village Green side of the town,” Keinath said.