The 12th annual NewYear Gorham celebration took place on a snowy Tuesday. People dug out and made their way to Shaw Gym and the high school for a variety of entertainment. Children’s events began mid-afternoon with a gray fox brought by Wildlife Encounters, and the evening ended with a great fireworks display, celebrating the beginning of Maine’s Bicentennial year, 2020.

The always popular Mad Science shows, an Abracadabra magic show, plus face painting and balloon tying entertained children. Meanwhile, over at the high school the New Year Gorham Cafe, operated by the Northern Force Robotics team from Gorham and Falmouth High Schools, served great food and robot demonstrations. While the robot rested, singer-songwriter Dean Richardson entertained.

The Don Roy Trio (Acadian fiddling) and the Gorham Community Chorus provided concerts; they are prime examples of the variety of music available right here in Gorham. If people got tired of sitting, there was a contra dance in the gym. If you don’t know what contra dance is, come next year and try it!

For the first time, the program included a storyteller. USM grad Antonio Rocha, a native of Brazil but current resident of Maine, had children and adults alike laughing and wondering as he wove his tales. In the final performance of the night, the Magic of the Steelgraves prompted the crowd to ask, “How did they do that?” Markus swallowed fire, Angelique disappeared, and doves fluttered where no bird could be.

Dare we say, “a good time was had by all”? Come and join us on December 31st! Happy New Year, Gorham!