Androscoggin
County
PO Box 59, 179 Lisbon Street,
Lewiston, ME 04243-0059
Phone: (207) 783-2249; Fax: (207) 783-4481 Areas covered: Auburn, Greene, Leeds, Lewiston, Lisbon, Lisbon
Center, Livermore, Livermore Falls, Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland,
Sabattus, Turner, Wales.
E-mail: info@androscoggincounty.com
Bethel Area
PO Box 439, Main Street, Bethel, ME 04217-0439
Phone: (207) 824-2282 or (800) 442-5826 Areas covered: Andover, Bethel, Bryant Pond (Woodstock), Gilead, Hanover, Locke Mills (Greenwood), Newry, Waterford and adjoining communities.
E-mail: info@bethelmaine.com
Bridgton-Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce
2 King's Grant, Box 353, Raymond ME 04071
Phone: (207) 655-3356 Areas covered: Bridgton, Brownfield, Casco, Denmark, Fryeburg, Harrison, Lovell, Naples, Sebago, Stow, Sweden and Waterford.
Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 167, South Paris, ME 04281
Phone & Fax: (207) 743-2281 Areas covered: Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, South Paris, Waterford, West Paris.
River Valley Chamber of Commerce
34 River Street, Rumford, ME 04276
Phone: (207) 364-3241; Fax: (207) 364-3241 Areas covered: Andover, Byron, Canton, Dixfield, Hanover, Mexico, Peru, Roxbury, Rumford. Visit the Information Center on Route 2 at the bottom of Pennacook Falls. Open year-round, the center is also home to the Muskie Memorial.
E-mail: rvcc@megalink.net
Rangeley Lakes Region
PO Box 317, Rangeley, ME 04970
Phone: (800) 685-2537, (207) 864-5364; Fax: (207) 864-5366 Areas covered: Dallas Plantation, Oquossoc, Rangeley Plantation, Sandy River Plantation.
E-mail: info@rangeleymaine.com
This region shouts "ski country" to most visitors, with Maine's two largest ski mountains and a ring of smaller ones attracting winter adventure-seekers. Recreational opportunites abound on the lakes. Crowds from southern Maine cities zip over to Sebago Lake, while the more remote Rangeley Lakes give off the real sense of wilderness.
It's easy to embrace the long Maine winter here with so many opportunties to ski, snowboard, dog sled, cross country ski, snowshoe and go on horse-drawn carriage rides...
This region shouts "ski country" to most visitors, with Maine's two largest ski mountains and a ring of smaller ones attracting winter adventure-seekers. Recreational opportunites abound on the lakes. Crowds from southern Maine cities zip over to Sebago Lake, while the more remote Rangeley Lakes give off the real sense of wilderness.
It's easy to embrace the long Maine winter here with so many opportunties to ski, snowboard, dog sled, cross country ski, snowshoe and go on horse-drawn carriage rides. Sunday River, in Bethel, and Sugarloaf/USA, in Carrabasset Valley, are the big two slopes, but smaller, more family-oriented ski areas, dot this region as well.
When the snow does melt in the spring, orchards and farmland are revealed and you can see why agricultural fairs are so big here. The Fryeburg Fair has been packing the midway for more than 100 years every October, and maple sugar houses, pumpkin stands and apple orchards can be easily found.
Hikers like this area because there's a wide range of hikes, from high peaks to pleasant riverside trails. Waterfalls make great targets on hikes. It's also Maine's gateway to the White Mountains, so hikers, ice climbers and snowshoers find plenty to do right along the Maine/New Hampshire border.
There's more to this region than recreation. Shoppers visit for antiques and flea markets, and Bridgton and Casco are well known for their crafts and galleries. Historic houses and covered bridges dot this region, making it a popular destination for fall foliage tours.
For a more urban experience, Farmington offers an art museum and university-town flavor thanks to the University of Maine's branch campus here. The "Twin Cities" of Lewiston and Auburn have museums, theaters, restaurants and more, many of which have a Franco-American tinge thanks to the large population of Acadian and Quebecois French people here.
Fairs, Festivals & Annual Events in Western Lakes & Mountains
Opening of the Shaker Museum
Season 05/25/2007
The Shaker Museum is located in the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, the
last active Shaker community. The museum offers exhibits, tours,
workshops, crafts demonstrations, and special events. Fees: Admission
free. Tour fees: $6.50 adults, $2 children under 12, free for children
under 6. Times: 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Location: Route 26, New
Gloucester.
www.shaker.lib.me.us.
Family Fishing Festival 06/02/2007
This family festival will feature casting workshops along with a
fishing derby to help teach the 'catch and release' ethic important to
preserving Maine's fishing resources. There will be a hand - tied fly
demonstration, exhibitors, outdoor barbecue, and more. Fees: Free.
Location: Androscoggin River. Times: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. www.bethelmaine.com.
Maine Canoe Symposium 06/08/2007 - 06/10/2007
Join us at a classic Maine
woodland camp for a weekend of learning and celebrating the breadth of
canoe sport in a family friendly environment. Enjoy lessons,
demonstrations, slide presentations, and on - the - water fun. All ages and
levels are welcome. Fees: Adults $80; before 5/1 $65, plus meals
& camping fee. Location: 35 Winona Rd, Winona Camps, Bridgton.
www.mainecanoesymposium.org.
Sunday River to the Sea
Bicycle Trek Across Maine 06/15/2007 - 06/17/2007
A three day bicycling event
where nearly 1700 riders trek 180 miles (average 60 miles per day)
across scenic Maine. Start at the mountains of Sunday River Ski Resort
and finish on the scenic coast of Maine. Fees: $50. Location: Sunday
River Ski Resort, Newry. www.mainelung.org.
Maine Antique Tractor Club
Festival 06/22/2007 - 06/24/2007
The largest gathering of
antique tractors in the state. Many antique machinery exhibits, tractor
games, pulls, farm equipment auction and Maine crafts. Fees: $5 adults,
ages 11 - 17 $2; 10 & under free. Times: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Farmington Fairgrounds, High St, Farmington.
www.maineantiquetractorclub.com.
Independence Day Celebration 07/03/2007
An Independence Day celebration that will include a children's day
parade, cook - outs, silent auction and fireworks. Times: 10:00 a.m. -
dusk. Location: Lakeside Park, Rangeley.
www.rangeleymaine.com.
18th Annual Bethel Art Fair 07/07/2007
Fifty
artists and fine artisans display and sell their creations - a varied
selection of wall - hung art, sculpture, pottery, handmade fine jewelry,
music, food, and more. Location: Bethel Common. Times: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00
p.m. www.bethelmaine.com.
07/12/2007 Strawberry Festival
Crafts, strawberries, and pie sales. Times: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Oquossoc Park, Rangeley. www.rangeleymaine.com.
28th Annual Ossipee Valley
Fair 07/12/2007 - 07/15/2007 >
A true country fair with lots
of livestock events and exhibits as well as novelty events such as egg
toss, pie eating, watermelon seed spitting, etc. Also, a grand parade,
a firemen's muster, tractor pulls and more! Location: South Hiram Road,
Hiram. www.ossipeevalleyfair.com.
Moxie Festival 07/13/2007 - 07/15/2007 In honor of the world famous
soft drink, Moxie, a beverage of distinctive taste. Music,
entertainment, food, fireworks, bed race and carnival games. Location:
Downtown Lisbon Falls.
www.moxiefestival.com.
Maine Music Society's Annual
Garden Tour 07/14/2007
The 13th Annual Garden Tour will visit some of the finest private
gardens of Lewiston, Auburn and the surrounding area. This is always a
pleasant day of window - shopping for landscaping ideas and gardening
techniques. Maps provided with tickets. Fees: $10 in advance, $12 on
the day of the tour. Times: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location:
Lewiston/Auburn. www.mainemusicsociety.org.
2007 Bates Dance Festival
Performance Series - 25th Anniversary 07/14/2007 - 08/11/2007
The Bates Dance Festival
celebrates the diversity and creativity of contemporary dance with
performances featuring hip - hop, postmodern, jazz, world dance and
improvisation by acclaimed U.S. companies and emerging choreographers
from around the world. Fees: $5 - $25. Times: Vary/evenings. Location:
Schaeffer Theatre, Bates College.
www.batesdancefestival.org.
Annual Mollyockett Day Festival 07/21/2007
A fun all day festival including the 5 - mile classic road race, parade
on Main Street, Annual Duck Race, arts & crafts, frog jumping
contest, fiddler's contest, lots of food, great entertainment and more.
Fireworks at dusk. Location: Town Common and Sunday River, Bethel.
www.bethelmaine.com.
Old Time Fiddler's Festival 07/22/2007
All levels of competition for old - time fiddlers. Special entertainment.
Times: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: Rangeley Inn Green, Rangeley.
www.rangeleymaine.com.
Rangeley Logging Museum
Festival Days & Parade 07/27/2007 - 07/28/2007
Miss Woodchip contest, Burying
of the Bean - Hole Beans, Logger's Hall of Fame, parade and much more!
Times: Fri. - evening; Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: Main St,
Rangeley. www.rangeleymaine.com.
25th Annual Wilton Blueberry
Festival 08/03/2007 - 08/05/2007
The festival will have a
blueberry pancake breakfast, fireworks, and more. This year there will
be an antique tractor pull and many new activities. Location: Main
Street, Wilton.
http://www.route2.com/wbf.htm.
16th Annual Maine State
Triathlon
>
This
event will consist of a 1 km swim at Songo Pond, 25 km bike race on
scenic country roads, and a 5 km cross - country run. For teams or
individuals. Location: Church St, Bethel.
www.bethelmaine.com.
Outdoor Sporting Heritage Day 08/07/2007 - 08/08/2007
Fishing, hunting,
environmental concerns, outdoor education, Sportsmen's Hall of Fame,
historical program and more. Times: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Location:
Guides Clubhouse, Old Skiway Rd, Oquossoc. www.rangeleymaine.com.
2nd Annual Maine Performing
Arts Festival 08/08/2007 - 08/12/2007
This family - oriented festival
runs daily and includes free outdoor shows featuring mimes, musicians,
acrobats and jugglers on the village streets and a headline act on the
common each afternoon. Location: Bethel Village & Gould
Academy, Main & Church Streets, Bethel. Times: 11:00 a.m. -
10:00 p.m. Telephone: 207 - 824 - 4436. www.mainepaf.org.
Sudbury Canada Days 08/10/2007 - 08/12/2007
This annual heritage festival
features old time crafts, an art show, historical films, children's
parade, games, refreshments, and more. Location: Regional History
Center, 10 - 14 Broad Street, Bethel. www.bethelhistorical.org.
Blueberry Festival 08/16/2007
At this festival, there will be jams, muffins, pies, gifts and crafts.
There will also be special entertainment for the children. Location:
Rangeley. Times: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. www.rangeleymaine.com.
15th Annual Great Falls
Balloon Festival 08/17/2007 - 08/19/2007
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. Location:
Railroad Park, Lincoln Street, Lewiston. www.greatfallsballoonfestival.com.
10th Annual Harvest Fest
& Chowdah Cook - off 09/15/2007
The town of Bethel will come alive with
scarecrows and harvest decorations as well as an arts & crafts
festival, a farmers' market, forest - products mill tours, a 50 - mile
scenic bike tour and the FAMOUS Chowdah Cook - off. Times: 9:00 a.m. -
4:00 p.m. Location: Bethel village.
www.bethelmaine.com.
Apple Saturdays 09/22/2007 - 10/06/2007
Held three consecutive
Saturdays in the autumn at the end of the Sabbathday Lake Shaker
Museum's season. Events include Shaker apple orchard tours,
pick - your - own, apple pie sale, apple head doll making and a Shaker
homemade doughnut and cider sale. Fees: $6.50 adults, children $2 6 - 12,
free under 6. Times: 10:00 a.m. - noon; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Location:
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, New Gloucester. www.shaker.lib.me.us.
157th Annual Fryeburg Fair 09/30/2007 - 10/07/2007
A beautiful setting in prime
foliage time, Maine's largest fair includes livestock, an exhibition
hall, farm museum, craft demonstrations, harness racing and nightly big
name entertainment. Location: Fryeburg.
www.fryeburgfair.com.
Apple Festival 10/06/2007
This event features all things apple. Bring your own apples and make
your own cider at the apple press, apples for sale, a craft sale, and
beef stew luncheon. Fees: Free. Times: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Location:
Church of the Good Shepherd.
www.rangeleymaine.com.
Fall Foliage Fat Tire Frolic 10/07/2007
Ride over streams, along dirt roads and single tracks, along the base
of Bigelow Mountain and through strands of trees spectacular with
color. Food and water stops at halfway point. Fees: $25. Times: Begins
at 10:00 a.m. Location: Antigravity Center, Route 27, Carrabassett
Valley. www.bikemaine.org.
Country Christmas in Bethel 11/23/2007 - 12/23/2007
Open houses, Saturday
afternoon horse - drawn wagon rides, workshops, arrival of Santa, musical
performances, Taste of Bethel, and much more in the perfect place to
experience Christmas in Maine. Location: Main St, Bethel.
www.bethelmaine.com.
31st Annual Chester Greenwood
Day Parade 12/01/2007
A celebration in honor of Chester Greenwood, inventor of the ear muffs
with a parade of floats decorated based on an ear muff theme with
everything from horses to police cars. Fees: None. Times: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Farmington.
www.franklincountychamberofcommerce.org.
Shaker Christmas Fair 12/01/2007
Nine rooms of the 1816 Trustee's Office at the Sabbathday Lake are open
to the public and offer a multitude of holiday gifts for all ages.
Shaker homemade baked goods are for sale - fruitcakes, cookies,
candies, hot herb biscuits, breads. Times: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, New Gloucester. www.shaker.lib.me.us.
Taste of Bethel &
Theme Wreath Auction 12/01/2007
Treat yourself as the Taste of Bethel enters its 9th year. Delicious
samples from area restaurants include main dishes, soups, desserts. Bid
on the beautiful wreaths which come fully decorated and loaded with
toys, gift certificates, etc. Times: Noon - 2:00 p.m. Location: Telstar
High School, 284 Walkers Mills Road, Bethel. www.bethelmaine.com.
New Year's Bethel 12/31/2007
Lots of great fun and entertainment. An affordable, chemical - free
festival featuring a community bonfire, lighted vehicle parade, music,
dance, story telling, food and fireworks. Fees: Advance $10 adult, $8
ages 6 - 18, at the door - $12 adult, $10 ages 6 - 18, free under 5. Times:
6:00 p.m. Location: Bethel village. www.bethelhistorical.org.
Beaches & Parks
- Who said you can't get the beach away from the coast? For a sandy beach on a lakefront try Mt. Blue State Park in Weld. Rangeley Lake State Park, Rangeley
More about Maine Beaches and Parks >
For Children
- In the summer be sure to check out Sebago Lake State Park in Naples, where you can swim and picnic. In Winter, don't miss the ski mountains. Check out our Family Ski Guide for more information. More for Children in Maine >
Outdoor Activities
- This region is rich with adventure in all seasons. Paddle white water or take a serene dip in one of the regions many lakes. Hike up a mountain for a picnic at the summit or ski down one for après ski in the winter. More about Outdoor Activities in Maine >
Shopping
- Western Maine offers many antiquing opportunities, from larger barn-style shops in downtown Naples to smaller, more rural gems such as those on Route 2 west of Bethel. Craving the inexpensive and unique? Try the flea markets.More about Shopping in Maine >
05/25/2007
Places to stay 
Retiring 
Questions/Comments
