Fairs and Festivals

No matter what you like, Maine's probably got a festival celebrating it. 

Hungry to know more? Let's start with food. Maine's food-related festivals are about more than eating. Expect art and craft shows, street dances, big-name entertainers, parades, cooking and eating contests, demonstrations and workshops, and fun activities, many geared to children. Maine celebrates lobster, salmon, clams, seafood, maple syrup, whoopie pies, blueberries, strawberries, bread, apples, beer, wine, chili, organic fare, pumpkins, potatoes, and even garlic. Celebrating growing those foods are more than two-dozen agricultural fairs, most with displays and competitions, midways and entertainment.

Craving creativity? Maine has been a magnet for artists and artisans for generations upon generations, so it should come as no surprise that one can find an art festival or craft fair, both traditional and contemporary, somewhere in the state on nearly every weekend. Now, mix in music. Maine has festivals dedicated to chamber music, blues, rock, and folk. Other festivals spotlight film or theater. Don't underestimate even the tiniest small-town festival: there's big talent in this state.

Hankering for history? A whole slew of festivals honor Maine's heritage. Some celebrate historical events or founder's days; many highlight a community's ethnic roots, including Native American, Swedish, Acadian, and Franco-American; others celebrate economic heritage, such as seafaring, or traditional skills like boatbuilding. And some fairs and festivals are seasonally oriented, from holiday celebrations to harvest extravaganzas.