With beautiful colours, the last blast of moderate weather, and some great events taking place, Fall is one of the best times of year for visiting Maine.
(Photo: Maine Harvest Festival)
Across the state in Fall each year, concerted efforts are made to capitalise on the last remnants of decent outdoor weather with the hosting of a diverse programme of events – many of which are themed around harvest season. If you’re visiting Maine over the coming months and would like to attend such an event, we’ve selected 10 of the very best scheduled to take place during Fall 2022.
Maine Harvest Festival
A two-day event held around Thanksgiving each year, the Maine Harvest Festival has grown to become one of the state’s biggest agriculture and craft gatherings. The event sees over 150 Maine chefs, growers, bakers, cheese artisans, vintners and brewers come together for demonstrations, sampling, sales and more. Highlights include an art exhibition and a double-crusted pie competition fiercely contested by culinary students and young cooks.
Cross Insurance Center, Bangor / 19-20 November 2022
Acadia’s Oktoberfest
(Photo: Acadia’s Oktoberfest)
Each year cities across the US put on Oktoberfest celebrations inspired by the legendary tradition that originated in Germany way back in the early 19th century. Among Maine’s contributions to these fun-filled imitation events is Acadia Oktoberfest, which attracts thousands of revellers who come to sample many of Maine’s fine beers, ciders and mead. As well as lashings of booze, there are also arts and crafts, food, games, and live music.
Archie’s Lobster, Bass Harbor / 8 October 2022
Fryeburg Fair
(Photo: lori05871 via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Attracting more than 225,000 people annually, this eight-day agricultural fair features over 3,000 animals, including prize-winning draft horses, ponies, racing horses, oxen, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, rabbits and more. There are also demonstrations, horticultural and culinary contests and displays, a petting zoo, agricultural vendor displays, live musical acts, amusement rides, and food stands.
1154 Main Street, Fryeburg / 2-9 October 2022
Freeport Fall Festival
Each year on the first weekend in October, the town of Freeport plays host to the perfect leisurely Autumn weekend. The festival sees over 150 of the best New England artists, craftsmen and local food producers come together for a three-day festival. In addition to browsing local art, there’s also live music, food artisans, free kids’ activities including craft making and scavenger hunts, and plenty more.
Venues across Freeport / 1-2 October 2022
Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta
(Photo: Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta)
Midcoast Maine’s beloved Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta returns this October, with infusions of hilarity, creativity, and giant impressions, for a weekend of sheer fun for all ages. With its extraordinary exhibits of all that can be done with giant, locally grown pumpkins, revellers can enjoy a weekend of non-stop action, with whimsical pumpkin art; the Pumpkin Parade – complete with the Queen of Pumpkins, performances, and the zany Pumpkin Regatta – in boats of hollowed pumpkins, complete with costumed contestants, blessing of the vessels, and bagpipes.
Main Street, Damariscotta / 7-9 October 2022
OgunquitFest
A long-standing tradition for almost two decades, OgunquitFest is a celebration of all the fun that Fall has to offer. Held in the picturesque town of OgunquitFest, events and activities include a classic car show, a huge craft fair, and various children’s activities. There’s also plenty of Halloween-themed action such as pumpkin carvings, ghostly tours, a haunted theatre, trick or treating and costume parade.
Dorothea Jacobs Grant Common, Ogunquit / 21-23 October 2022
Blue Hill Fair
(Photo: Blue Hill Fair)
Always scheduled around Labor Day weekend, this down-to-earth agricultural fair has been a popular annual event since the late 19th century and boasts some of the best entertainment and exhibits you’ll find anywhere in Maine. Taking place in the small costal town of Blue Hill, it attracts thousands of visitors who come to enjoy highlights such as sheep dog trials, a demolition derby, and plenty more.
Blue Hill Fairgrounds, Blue Hill / 1-5 November 2022
Cumberland County Fair
Held in the town of Cumberland, this yearly fair dates all the way back to the mid 19th century and has retained its popularity to this day. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity to showcase and preserve the history and legacy of the agricultural communities in Cumberland County, to celebrate the diversity of local arts and crafts, and to promote family entertainment through live music and animals.
197 Blanchard Road, Cumberland / 25 September – 1 October 2022
Harvest on the Harbor
(Photo: Harvest on the Harbor)
First launched in 2007 to create awareness of Portland’s expanding restaurant and hospitality scene, this festival has stayed true to its mission of celebrating local and independently-owned restaurants, crave-worthy food and drink, and everything else that locals and travellers love about the city. Today the small festival continues to deliver big-time culinary experiences by showcasing premier Maine distillers, brewers, oyster farmers, and other purveyors of outstanding hospitality.
Venues across Portland / 27-29 Octoner 2022
Maine Maple Fall Fest
For the second year running, to mark the maple leaves turning brilliant oranges, golds and reds, Maine’s assortment of maple producers will once again prepare a delicious display of maple products this October. Visitors are invited to come and join the fun as sugar houses across the state open their doors for tours, maple syrup tastings, baked maple treats, cotton candy, syrup, ice cream, candy and all other maple-related treats.
Venues across Maine / 8-9 October 2022
By Paul Joseph