The Game Loft's 1968: Gone But Not Forgotten event was an unparalleled success! Citizens of Waldo County as well as visitors from as far away as out of state gathered to participate in this innovative collaboration between the Game Loft and the supporting community.

Events during the day included documentary film footage at the Belfast Library, hula-hoop instructions, a fashion show, a long hair contest, and a Beatles look-alike contest. Sunshine Garcia, a volunteer coming to Belfast all the way from Portland (and the daughter of Spurwink's wonderful publicity expert Sonia Garcia), taught the hula-hoop lessons and proved that she could teach anyone to do it - but no one could top her amazing skill!

Another skilled performer was a street performer who juggled everything that could be juggled - and then demonstrated his awesome skills with balance, even balancing an enormous ladder on his chin!

Long hair competition categories and victors included the following:

"Most like a Roman sunset" (Tierra Johnson)

"Most likely to stop traffic" (Ellen Marlow) 

"Most aggressive" (Chris Johnson)

"Silkiest" (young gamer Madryn)

Beatles competition categories and victors included the following:

"Most likely to be misunderstood by parents" (Travis Reynolds)

"Most likely to be trampled by 1,000 screaming fans" (Stephen Colby)

"Looks as though when they play the guitar, it will begin to gently weep" (Chris Johnson)

The day's events centered upon the narrative of budding high school senior musician Jake, and his bandmates, and dealing with the draft. The boys went before a draft board to appeal for an exception based upon the impending success of their musical career. Jake's request was officially denied, and lead singer Jake had to make a decision: should he concientiously object, and go to jail? Should he defect to Canada to dodge the draft? Or should he follow the government's decision, postpone his musical ambitions, and risk his life fighting a war he knew nothing about?

Following Jake and his band's stellar performance to the Belfast crowd (preceded by several other extremely talented Belfast musicians, performing covers of popular songs from 1968), Jake ultimately chose to defect to Canada. His dramatic dive into his girlfriend's car and the speedy getaway that followed offered a dramatic conclusion to an awesome day. Belfast's Main Street parking spaces, filled with gorgeous vintage autos, provided the perfect backdrop for the passionate performance.

The Game Loft is excited to report that the photo gallery of the day's events is now posted. Review these groovy photos for yourself in the photo gallery section of the website, and check back for in-depth news coverage of the day Belfast went back to 1968!