The Maine Elks Association Youthfest Program is an annual event that provides pre-teen children who are disabled, disadvantaged, or who have parents serving on active duty in the military, with a day of fun and entertainment at no expense to the families.

In addition, this year our feature entertainment will be provided by well known children's entertainer--Rick Charette. In addition, the children will be entertained by the antics of "Slugger the Seadog" of the Portland Seadogs baseball team.   Also, special visits by Elliott and Elroy the Elks   Come join us for this day of music and fun!

If you are part of an organization that would like to attend this event, please contact Directors Wayne or Kathleen Cotterly at (207) 998-2282.

Remember, children do not need to be associated with a child support organization to attend. Also, children and grandchildren of Maine Elks and Emblem are welcome to attend as well.

History

Fantasy Flight 2001

In 2001, the Maine Elks Association began a program called Fantasy Flight 2001 for the children of the Maine Children's Cancer Program (MCCP). The program was to be a joint effort between the Employees of United Airlines at the Portland Jetport, the Maine Elks Association, and the association's major project, the Maine Children's Cancer Program.

The program idea was brought to the Maine Elks Association by Kathleen Cotterly, a pilot for United Airlines, and a member of the Elks. The idea was to take a United Airlines program called "Fantasy Flight" and combine it with a field day provided by the Maine Elks Association, and roll it into a day long event for  the benefit of children with cancer.

The program initially involved taking 40 children on a 1 hour fall foliage sightseeing ride on a United Airlines jet, and return to the Portland Jetport. This simulated trip was to take the children to to a "Western Dude Ranch," which was held at the nearby Portland Elks Lodge. Once there, the children were to be entertained by members of the Maine Elks and the Maine Emblem Clubs.

The children were to be treated to games, hoop shoot, soccer shoot, a magic show, a bounce house, a petting zoo, pony rides, music, food, and many other activities. The program was to allow members of the Maine Elks Association to meet the children that their major project donations were benefiting.

All was going as planned until the events of September 11, 2001. United Airlines, which had lost two aircraft that day, was forced to withdraw from the program. Undaunted, the Maine Elks decided to hold the ground portion of the event anyway, and renamed it "Fantasy Day". That first year, 67 children attended, and had a great time. This was also a truly Statewide Event, as 16 out of 22 Lodges participated in the program.

"Youthfest" is Born

With the success of "Fantasy Day," the program was placed under the Youth Activities Committee, and expanded to include all pre-teen disabled and disadvantaged children. The name of the program was changed to "Youthfest" to better reflect the purpose of the program, which was to be a festival for "Youth." In 2002, the feature entertainers were magician Bob Nixon and "Slugger the Seadog" of the Portland Seadogs baseball team. A total of 65 children attended that event, and 17 out of 22 Lodges participated.

A Change of Scenery

Though the new Youthfest Program was still "successful," the numbers of children attending were below what was anticipated. Considering how much work and effort went into preparing for, and running the event, State President James Ferland considered dropping the program, unless some changes were made to improve the number of children.

He recommended moving the event to a more central location in Maine. He suggested the Augusta Elks Lodge, which was the largest Lodge in the State. With marching orders in hand, the new Youthfest Committee had to redesign the entire program to fit the new venue. However, the committee found that the members of the Augusta Elks Lodge and Emblem Club were very supportive of the program. This made planning for the program much easier.

In 2003, the Youthfest Program had 120 children attend the event, making it the most successful year to date. Rick Charette, a well known children's entertainer was a big hit with both children and adults as well. Other changes included the addition of a frisbee golf course, a dunk tank, emergency service vehicles, a canteen, and more bounce houses.

Each year, the Youthfest program grows in size, and to run it requires a large number of volunteers and support from the Lodges and Emblem Clubs of Maine. The Youthfest Committee Chairs wish to thank everyone who has supported this program, which allows our organization to live up to the motto of "Elks Care--Elks Share."

Copyright (c) 2004-2007 Maine Elks Association. All rights reserved.