STANDISH – Cooperative weather and sizeable crowds graced the fifth Standish Summer Spectacular, the annual celebration of the town’s three distinct villages, according to event organizers.

Linda Brooks, the Standish Director of Parks and Recreation, characterized the 2014 festivities as “phenomenal.”

“I thought it was the best-ever because the weather was a big factor for sure,” Brooks said. “All the events were extremely well-attended.”

The Friday evening Taste of Maine event, which showcased food from local vendors, raised $1,137 toward the American Legion Post 128 and the Women’s Auxiliary. This year’s Summer Spectacular theme, “Celebrating Freedom,” was picked in honor of the Legion.

Jeanine Dalton, who has helped organize the Taste of Maine three years in a row, said the Friday evening weather – warm, dry and relatively sunny – was a blessing.

“Seeing everyone come out is just wonderful,” Dalton said. “It’s a great kickoff for the weekend.”

According to Brooks, the Saturday morning parade was the biggest yet for the annual celebration. The Bonny Eagle Robotics Team’s parade float was named the “Most Entertaining,” while the McDonald Family’s was “Best Depiction of the ‘Celebrating Freedom’ Theme,” The Mother Load’s “Best Depiction of Life in Maine,” Alton Gammon’s “Most Creative,” and Standish Recreation Summer Camp’s “Best Pop Culture.”

Aside from Brooks and Dalton, the Standish Spectacular organizing committee included Diana Allen, Bill Tracy, Dee Thibault and Glenna Jamison.

–Ezra Silk

The Friday night Beach Boogie was capped off by beautiful fireworks set off over Watchic Lake by Central Maine Pyrotechnics and was sponsored by the Town of Standish. Mary Chapman, Standish’s town clerk, “manned” the Lakeside Quilters table at the Community Marketplace on Saturday morning at the George E. Jack School.Entertainers Flamin Raymin and Sizzlin Suzzin always bring lots of props with them for their high-energy shows. Here the kids are all showing off some crazy hoola-hooping skills.Hundreds came together on Thursday night, June 26, to kick off the Standish Summer Spectacular’s annual Taste of Maine fundraiser event at the Sebago Lake Boat Launch.