READFIELD — Dark haired, bright-eyed, 7-year-old Christopher Berls turned up for Readfield Heritage Days 2011 celebration in long blue jeans, looking to romp in the bounce house. Then he saw the attached water slide and promptly got in line.

“We weren’t ready for this,” said his indulgent grandfather, Phil Bober of Fayette, who was unwilling to let his grandson’s lack of a bathing suit present a problem.

Additional Photos

Edwin Howe, of Bryant Pond, polishes his 1974 Volkswagon Thing for the 2nd annual Ricky Gibson car show at the Maranacook Community School on Saturday morning during Readfield Heritage Days. Staff photo by Joe Phelan

Diona Lovejoy, of Morgantown, Penn., searches for more books at the Readfield Community Library used book sale on Saturday morning during Readfield Heritage Days. The event was held across the street from the library in the Readfield fire station. Staff photo by Joe Phelan

Readfield firefighters shovel dirt of the top of the steel plates covering their beanhole beans on Saturday morning during Readfield Heritage Days. The previous evening firefighters dug a large hole and started a cook fire with about a cord of firewood. When it had burned down to coals they lowered three large custom made steel bean pots each with 25 pounds of beans and a "secret recipe" of other ingredients into the hole. They were to be served Saturday evening. Staff photo by Joe Phelan

So Berls climbed up the soft stairway and slid down, splashing into the pool and soaking his clothes, a nice pastime for a warm August Saturday.

The children’s activities at the town beach — including a free ice cream social sponsored by the Readfield Fire Department Auxiliary, some face-painting and toss games — were just part of the celebration.

A car show was under way at Maranacook Community School, and just behind the Readfield Fire Department, two large pots of beans bubbled, basking ahead of the department’s Famous Bean-Hole Supper. Huge ham hocks propped up the lids and allowed a heady aroma to fill the nearby station. Volunteers from the Readfield Community Library hauled boxes of books from the fire station bays back to the library, which is across the street. The book sale had ended an hour earlier.

The sale of donated used books and other items, benefits the public library and has taken place every year for at least 20 years, said Brenda Lake, chairman of the library board of trustees. “It’s a nice partnership that the library has with the fire department and the auxiliary,” Lake said. “It allows us to have (the sale) rain or shine.”

Years ago, the book sale was held on the front lawn of the library, which made its success dependent on the weather.

Karen Dube, who organizes the annual Heritage Days celebration, also credited the fire department and its auxiliary for their support. “If it wasn’t for the fire department and the auxiliary, we wouldn’t have Heritage Days,” she said.

Those who missed Friday’s and Saturday’s events can still catch part of the celebration 7 p.m. todaywhen Birdie Googins, the Marden’s Lady, will provide entertainment at the Union Meeting House, Church Road.

Tickets at $12 apiece are available at the door, and the show benefits the Readfield Historical Society.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

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