The Heart of New England
Maine
Annual "Can't Miss" Festivals & Events
(click on your favorite season, below)












Winter  (December, January, February)

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Early December
Annual Christmas By The Sea
Throughout the towns of Camden/Rockport/Lincolnville, Maine   

Throughout the entire weekend Christmas festivities are the order of the day in
this beautifully decorated community in Midcoast Maine, from sleigh rides and
visits with Santa to Craft Fairs and special shopping discounts with local
merchants.  Santa arrives on a lobster boat! More more info: (207) 236-4404 or
1-800-223-5459  (toll free)  

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Early December
Harbor Lights Festival
Boothbay Harbor, Maine

An entire day of fun for the whole family as Santa, Mrs. Claus and friends arrive
by boat. Horse drawn wagon rides, holiday craft fair, lap time with Santa and
Mrs. Clause. Lighting of the Town Tree, holiday carols, live nativity at the
Catholic Church, followed by a spectacular lighted boat parade. For more info:
(207) 633-2353  or (800) 266-8422  (toll free)

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Early December
Annual Shaker Christmas Fair
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village
New Gloucester, Maine   

Shaker Christmas Fair is a traditional holiday fair that fills nine rooms of the 1816
Trustee's Office and the holiday red garage with many holiday offerings
highlighted by Shaker homemade baked goods. Gifts for all ages. "Come one,
come all"!  For more info: (207) 926-4597.

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Early December
Chester Greenwood Day (Inventor of the Earmuff)
Farmington, Maine

An annual celebration of Farmington's favorite son, Chester Greenwood, the
inventor of the earmuff! There will be a parade (celebrating everything earmuff)
at 11:00am through Downtown Farmington. Following the raising of the Chester
Greenwood flag at the Superior Court building, the Chamber will be serving
Cake and Chili in the Gazebo at Meetinghouse Park. The public will vote for the
best chili entry, and a cash prize will be awarded. The Historical Society will be
selling wreaths at the Titcomb House, and there will be a "Festival of Trees"
display at the Granary Restaurant. The area Polar Bear Club will also be making
their annual dip into frigid Clearwater Lake at 3:00pm, always a crowd pleaser!   

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Late January
Oxford Hills Annual Snowfest
Norway, Maine

This weekend includes snowmobile activities including snowmobile drag racing,
exhibits and trophies awarded by spectator voting.  The Snowfest is sponsored
by the Norway Trackers Snowmobile Club and features homemade soups,
chowder, chili, breads, beverages and desserts. For more info:
207-527-2175

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Late January
Mushers Bowl Winter Carnival
Bridgton, Maine

This a family oriented fun filled weekend featuring dog sledding, skijoring races,
snowmobile parade, horse drawn sled rides, polar bear dunk, ice fishing, ice
skating and many more outdoor activities.  You will also find a crafts fair and
tasty food!  Sponsored by the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of
Commerce and Downeast Sled Dog Club.

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Early February
U.S. National Toboggan Championships
Camden, Maine

Over 300 teams compete in various divisions for the title of the fastest toboggan
on ice. The event starts on Friday with final runs concluding Sunday afternoon.
This event is sure to break up the cabin fever! Pre-registration is required. For
more info visit:
www.camdensnowbowl.com

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Mid February
Caribou Winter Carnival/Snowmobile Festival
Caribou,Maine

Where are you going to be this February? You won't want to miss Caribou Winter
Carnival & Snowmobile Festival! Ski-ing, shows, dinners, dances, snowmobile
drag racing, parades, bonfires, family events, fireworks and more!! For more
information visit:
Caribou, Maine  Free Admission.

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Late February
Annual DerbyFest and Annual WinterFest
Casco, Maine

This is interesting weekend featuring all sorts of winter activities including car
racing on ice, ice racing for motorcycles, ice fishing derby, skating, snowshoeing,
sliding, snowmobile events and a polar bear dunk.  There is also ice and snow
carving by professional and amateur carvers as well. This weekend is packed
with exciting activities sponsored by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club and the Maine
Snow and Ice Sculpting Foundation.














Spring (March, April, May)

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Early March
Annual Can-Am Sled Dog Race
Fort Kent, Maine

We invite you to a rare place where you can witness the most challenging
sled dog race in the eastern United States. For twelve years Can-Am Crown
has organized high quality racing events designed for the enjoyment of
mushers, spectators, and dog teams. For more info:
Dog Sled Races

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Mid to late March
New England Products Trade Show
Portland Sports Complex
Portland, Maine

The New England Products Trade Show is the only wholesale buyers show in the
country dedicated to presenting hand-crafted giftware, home & garden
furnishings, and specialty foods exclusively created within New England. With
more than 300 companies represented, this juried event blends the best selection
of products manufactured in New England with a friendly, unhurried
atmosphere. For more info visit:  
New England Products Trade Show.

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Late March
Maple Sunday in Maine
statewide locations, Maine  

Enjoy the first sweet taste of spring in Maine! Join Maine's maple Producers each
spring as they celebrate Maine Maple Sunday - the day when sugar makers
around the State open the doors of their sugarhouses for the public to join them
in their rites of spring - making maple syrup. Most sugarhouses offer free tasting
and a live demonstration of how syrup is produced, from tap to table. Many offer
a variety of other treats and activities, including syrup on pancakes or ice cream,
sugarbush tours, sleigh or wagon rides, and lots more. Many sugarhouses will
arrange special tours and demonstrations for groups on other days as well.

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Mid-April
Annual Bangor Garden Show
Bangor, Maine

The Annual Bangor Garden Show is a true harbinger of Spring. The
Show features  life sized garden displays in full bloom, gardening
and plant related vendors,a Standard Flower Show,Container Garden and
Window Box competitions, a three day lecture/demonstration series, a
Saturday Night Auction geared to the gardening enthusiast, a Gala Preview
Night.

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May to June
Moose Mainea
Greenville, Maine

The Moosehead Lake Region hosts a month long celebration of the Moose each
year.  There are several activities throughout the month including a canoe race,
mountain bike race, biking tour, rowing regatta, craft fair, kid's day and moose
tales.  

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Late May
Down East Spring Birding Festival
Cobscook Bay Area, Whiting, Maine

For three days each May, a wide variety of birds enter the Maine area for spring
migration and the breeding season.  There are several species that arrive
including geese, ducks, teal mergansers, flycatchers, thrushes, sparrows,
warblers, American bitterns, owls and more.  There is a 100 registrant limit and
registrants receive guided hikes as well as formal presentations.  You also have
the option of taking a boat trip for an additional fee.

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Early June
Maine Fiber Frolic
Windsor, Maine

Join us for a look back into  time as Windsor Fairgrounds comes alive with a
agricultural tradition, a farm and fiber festival.  Along with 75 vendors
displaying their fiber related products and demonstrations throughout the
weekend, you’ll find yourself engaged in the farm & fiber community of Maine.
The Fiber Frolic offers sheep dog trials and demos, sheep shearing, fleece show &
sale, used equipment marketplace,llama fun show,judged fiber goat show, 4-H  
demonstrations, educational workshops & lectures (on spinning, felting, knitting,
weaving, rug hooking, animal health and  rearing), a kid’s area and the Maine
llama Drill Team.














Summer (June, July, August)

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Early June   
Old Port Festival
Portland, Maine

The kick-off to the festival season in Maine, this family festival is sure
to be fun for all. A parade featuring Portland's own Shoestring Theater
Puppet Company, music, entertainment, cuisine from around the world, and
children's activities.

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Late June
Acadian Festival
Madawaska, Maine

Celebrate the Acadian Heritage with Madawaska.  This event features traditional
food, a parade, music and crafts.  There are also fireworks, family reunions and a
bed race.

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Late June
La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival
Biddeford, Maine

The twenty-fourth anniversary of the La Kermesse featuring the celebration of all
customs and traditions with continuous entertainment, fireworks, parade, block
party, food and more.

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Late June  
Annual Windjammer Days Festival
Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Full rigged windjammers sail into the harbor. Two fun-filled days of harbor side
concerts, fireworks, an antique boat parade, a street parade, games and activities
for the children, and plenty of food.  

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Last Saturday of June
South Berwick Strawberry Festival
South Berwick, Maine

This is one of the largest events that happens each year and dates back to 1975.  
The event attracts tens of thousands of people and features strawberries galore.  
Ample portions of strawberry shortcake complete with shipped cream and
biscuits will be available as well as a variety of other activities including
homemade wares, photos, paintings, jewelry, furniture, candles, clothing, jams,
dips, pottery, wooden items and more.  There will also be a live band and
fireworks.  Shuttles are available from various parking areas in town.  For more
info: 207-384-4436

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Early July
Parade and Annual Sandcastle Contest
Ocean Park, Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Come and enjoy live music with square dancing and the annual Sandcastle
Contest on the beach. More info: 207-934-9068

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Early July
Eastport's 4th of July (Old Home Week) Celebration
Eastport, Maine

Come and celebrate the beauty of this land in this historic port city on the Atlantic
Ocean. Four days full of celebration and revelry, music, largest 4th of July parade
in Maine, food, crafts, contests, fireworks, and more.

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Early to mid-July
Annual Moxie Festival
Lisbon Falls, Maine

In honor of the world famous soft drink, Moxie, a beverage of distinctive taste.
Music, entertainment, food, fireworks, bed race and carnival games.

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Mid July
Greek Heritage Festival
Saco, Maine

Hosted by the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, the Greek Heritage Festival
features Greek music, food, kid's activities, church tours and more.  More info
call: 207-284-5651

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Late July
Maine Potato Blossom Festival
Fort Fairfield, Maine

This annual festival features a potato picking contest, Potato Blossom Queen
Pageants and Maine's longest parade.  You'll also enjoy live music, fireworks and
more.  For more info: 207-472-3802

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Late July
Yarmouth Clam Festival
Yarmouth, Maine

A three-day event including a parade, free performances, a juried craft show, an
art show, sports contests, a carnival and a variety of free family-oriented
activities. As always, clams are the feature menu item in the locally run food
court.  

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Early August
Annual Maine Lobster Festival
Rockland, Maine

Along with tons of Maine lobsters, this world famous New England summer
event features maritime displays and demonstrations, Maine arts and crafts,
harbor cruises, contests, lots of wonderful entertainment, a giant parade, and
much more. Times: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

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Mid August
Annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival
Machias, Maine

A celebration of the blueberry harvest that lasts all weekend long and offers a real
old fashioned good time. A children's parade, a fish fry, a homemade blueberry
pancake breakfast, arts & craft show and more. For more info:

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Mid August
Annual Great Falls Balloon Festival
Lewiston/Auburn, Maine

One of the largest hot air balloon festivals in northern New England with
balloons filling the skies of Lewiston and Auburn, plus food, entertainment,
vendors, carnival rides, and balloon rides. Fees: Free admission.

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Mid-August
Annual Maine Highland Games
Brunswick, Maine

This event features bagpipe bands, Highland and Scottish dancing, Scottish
vendors and crafts, folk singing and much more. Fees: Adults $10; children ages 6-
12 $5; under 5 free.

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Late August
American Folk Festival
Bangor, Maine

Experience again the American Folk Festival with traditional performers from
across the country who will continue to celebrate the richness and variety of
American culture in this free, 3-day, multi-stage event.














Fall (September, October, November)

Eastport Salmon Festival
Eastport, Maine
First Weekend After Labor Day

(207) 853-4644  (phone)

A seaside festival celebrating the Atlantic Salmon industry on the Maine coast.
Free parking and free admission. Music, two day arts and craft show. Saturday
Chowder dinners, Sunday great Salmon dinners, boat tours of the salmon pens,
industry information, and a slide show on salmon aquaculture. Lots of fun in a
stunning setting. Other activities included Maine wine tent, architectural tour,
motorcycle show, dances and ice cream social.

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September, 3rd weekend after Labor Day
Common Ground Country Fair
Unity, Maine

Come to the Fair and see why Downeast Magazine calls Common Ground
"Maine's most authentic country fair, uniting, as it does, old-time folkways with
progressive ideas about living the good life on a fragile planet. The Fair allows
fair-goers to make connections with a rapidly expanding base of organic farms in
the state of Maine. Share knowledge about sustainable living; eat delicious,
organic, Maine-grown food; buy and sell beautiful Maine crafts and useful
agricultural products; compete in various activities; dance; sing and have a great
time.

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Late September
Annual Bluegrass Festival
Apple Acres Farm
Hiram, Maine

Come, Relax and enjoy the great sounds of bluegrass. Local artists and "from
away." All day event so bring a picnic or enjoy our great feasts. Fresh apples and
Cider, Great pies and fudge. A family friendly event of fun and relaxation!  

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Early October
Annual Freeport Chowder Challenge
Freeport, Maine  

Join the best chefs in Freeport for the 14th Annual Freeport Chowdah Challenge!
This year the attending audience will judge entries and crown the chowdah
champ. All proceeds benefit Freeport Community Services.  For more info visit:

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Early October
Annual Fryeburg Fair
Fryeburg Fairgrounds
Fryeburg, Maine

We have about 3000 animals on the grounds for eight days - dairy, beef, draft
show horses and ponies, pulling horses and oxen, a forestry research center, an
agricultural exhibition center, a flower show, a llama show and fiber
demonstration, sheep dog trials and a huge parade on Saturday. Of course there
is a midway with local and commercial food vendors, as well as amusement
rides.

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Mid-October
Annual Harvestfest
York, Maine  

This colonial themed festival includes a variety of activities: live bands, an ox
roast, bean hole beans and crafters from all over the country. Harvestfest also
includes a SeniorFest, KidsFest, Antique Car Show, a POW-WOW, hayrides and
more.  For more info call: 207-363-4422.

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Late October
Annual OgunquitFest
Ogunquit, Maine  

Weekend-long festivities including scarecrow contest, pumpkin decorating,
scavenger hunt, ghost stories, marketplace and much more. Sponsored by the
Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce.

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Saturday after Thanksgiving
Lighting of the Nubble
York, Maine

Cookies, hot chocolate, music and Santa Claus. Countdown to the lighting at
Cape Neddick Lighthouse for the holiday season. Shuttle service from Ellis Park
at Short Sands Beach.

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Do you have an annual event in Maine that is unique and fun?   Send an email
to:
editor@theheartofnewengland.com in the following format:

Date Event is Usually Held
Event Name
Location

Short description of event and contact info (phone and web site).
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