It was only fitting that just as the Tour de France was ending, the Bayville Waterfront Festival was getting underway. After all, both are a physical and psychological test that bring men (and, in our case, women and kids too) to the point of breaking.

The grueling day began at 9 a.m. with Pickleball Palooza. The action was fast and furious on the various courts and the new benches and temporary bleachers were filled to capacity. (By the way, how about those new benches?!) When the ball settled, Jeff and JJ Allison were the new Pickleball Kings. The father/son duo had to battle through countless matches to claim the crown. To say duo is a bit misleading as the winning strategy developed by JJ was quite simple; “Dad, just let me get everything.”

While all that was going on, Diana Frascella had a large contingency of kids exploring all over the village, checking off items on their scavenger hunt list. Their first round of fun concluded with a blindfolded money hunt. Kids enjoying that action included (in alphabetical order) Austin, Ella and Oliver Cain, Cora and Lily Coleman, Josie and Presley Frascella, Camden and Oliver Jordan, Emma LaPointe, Drew and Jack Mackeclnie (McDonough) and Hannah and Mallory Strojny.

Opening ceremonies were delayed a bit as people were still reeling from earlier events. Once “Eye of the Tiger” started playing and the Bayville Waterfront Festival 19 banner zipped past on the speedboat Break Wind (captained by JJ with Brian McNamara hoisting the flag) the adrenaline started flowing and everyone was ready to go.

By the way, in a Festival miracle, unmarked shipping containers were found tied to the dock late Friday evening. When pried open, the Bayville Waterfront Festival T-shirts were inside. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Sisters Laura and Karen were fantastic in finding everyone to get the shirts to, but their money collection techniques need some work.

As always, blindfolded rowing started things off. There were some concerns that John Jordan’s blindfold might not meet league rules, but once he started off for East Boothbay, those thoughts  were forgotten. As he disappeared over the horizon, survival became the focal point as he had the youngest crew ever entered with sons Camden and Oliver more interested in watching the proceedings than barking out directions.

I won’t put in each events results (though that may happen in a later Buzz) but suffice it say that everybody who competed did a fantastic job and is a winner just for trying their best. Musical chairs is a tough lesson and maybe next year the parents will go first, setting the right example.

Most of the thanks go to all those who competed and watched, but there are a lot of other people whose efforts really make the whole thing possible. So huge thanks to: Jill Albaum, Ginger and Phil Robitaille and Connie Nelson in putting the Pickleball Tournament and Ice Cream Social together; this year there were so many hot dogs eaten that the ice cream will be back this Saturday night at the Lobster Bake; Diana Frascella for getting everything set for the kids scavenger hunt; Mark Spencer Productions for all the work they do; not only does his business play the hottest tunes in musical chairs anywhere, but they provide the dogs, bottled water and manpower moving things into place; JJ and his cousins Brian and Liam McNamara for getting up way earlier than they should have to on a Saturday to help get everything ready; Pat McNamara for his manpower, truck and for cooking the dogs to perfection; sisters Karen and Laura who help out in any way needed.

Barbara Spencer has once again been commissioned, this time to design our newest award, The Ruler of the Bay, which will now be given to our age 12 and under competitors. As you may recall, Barbara received great recognition for her design of The Ruler of the Sea award so it is only fitting we use her again.

Our first champion ever for this award is Haven Merrill who turned in an incredible all-around performance. Haven really is rocking things as last week she was in the Buzz for her talents in School of Rock and now she is in here again for her  fantastic job in the Waterfront Festival. In a very exciting triathlon she fended off strong challenges by Caleb Sutton and Trajen Thompson. Congratulations Haven. You will receive your award during the Lobster Bake.

For the older folk, the triathlon featured a battle between Matt Frascella and Jennifer Strojny (with yours truly a distant third). Alina Blakesley wins huge kudos for our oldest competitor! (Big thanks also to Alina for her live music while people fueled up for their events). When the water settled and the scores were tabulated Matt Frascella was again at the top position, but this time he had company. For the first time — and probably only time — we have co-champions. Sharing the spotlight with Matt is first time competitor Jennifer Strojny. Luckily they reside in the same cottage, so custodial arrangements don’t have to be figured, but I do think a tie breaker will be in place going forward.

Incidentally, for those of you who say musical chairs is not a sport of skill, how do you explain the 2018 and 2019 victories by Matt Frascella? This year he beat out Chris Sutton and Drew Strojny.

The events closed out with a Watermelon Relay Race to Blackstone/Turtle Island and back. The females requested a battle based on gender, but when the guys hoisted the watermelon on the dock first an immediate protest was issued regarding about how the males interpreted the relay rules. As one young male competitor replied, “too bad, so sad.” There is always next year ladies.

Some of us ended our day at Linekin Bay Resort and enjoyed a wonderful fireworks show. Congratulations on 100 years in business!

As you all know, this Saturday is another big day with the the Bayville Village Corporation annual meeting getting underway at 9 a.m. and then the Lobster Bake beginning at 5 p.m. for drinks. If you haven’t signed up for the Lobster Bake yet, you’re too late!

Thanks again to everyone who was there Saturday. Though the Bayville Waterfront Festival is full of competition, its real purpose is a day of multi-generational family, friends and neighbors having fun, building memories and enjoying what makes Bayville special. If you couldn’t make it this year, we hope to see you on July 25, 2020!

Don’t forget Cabbage Island swim on Aug. 18. Be at Collins Dock at 12:45 p.m. ready to swim or paddle.

Please send any news to thejeffallison@gmail.com