International dog sled races that are great to watch or race in. There are three types of races: 20 miles, 100 miles, and 250 miles. The 250-mile race is a qualifier for entry into the Iditarod and Yukon Quest races.
Annual event the weekend before Labor Day weekend. It offers a weekend of hot air balloons, kids events, and other family-friendly fun. This event celebrates 1978, the Double Eagle II launching from Presque Isle and making the first successful crossing of the Atlantic.
Come enjoy a day at the Houlton with rides, games, photo /painting contests, and concession stands (food and merchandise). There’s also a pig scramble, mud runs, farm animals, pony rides, and much more. The event takes place on the 4th of July weekend.
An annual week-long event that began in 1947 and includes over 75 events including entertainment, sports, pageants, historical tours, horse shows, agricultural events, a parade, fireworks, and more!
Midsommar FestCaribou, New Sweden, Stockholm, and Woodland, ME 04736
“Swedish culture comes alive in New Sweden’s annual Midsommar Festival in Northern Maine. This traditional Swedish festival holds true to its roots with a colorful three-day event marked by gathering flowers and lighting bonfires to mark the summer solstice.”
Ploye FestivalBouchard Family Farms, 3 Strip Rd, Fort Kent, ME 04743 | (207) 834-3237
During the second weekend in August (same as the Muskie Derby), the Bouchard Family Farm along with the Greater Fort Kent Chamber of Commerce throws this festival filled with eating and family fun. Activities include making the world’s largest ploye, local music, ploye wrestling contest, and craft show.
This marathon is held annually on the fourth Sunday in June and attracts runners from over 30 countries. It has been called a “small-town wonder,” a “bucket list event for every Canadian runner,” and more by various running magazines. The marathon starts in West Quoddy Head, Lubec, ME, to East Quoddy Head, Campobello Island, Canada, and ends back in Lubec.
This unique event takes place every Independence Day and includes activities such as a beauty pageant and a codfish relay race. The streets are filled with small vendors, a street carnival, and more.
Fisherman’s DayStonington Commercial Fish Pier, Stonington, ME 04681
Located on the Commercial Fish Pier, this is a fun, family day that honors local fishermen with events including a pet show, rowboat races, codfish relays, trap hauling demonstrations, bounce house, watermelon eating contest, and more.
If anything screams “Maine,” this is it! This unique and exciting festival takes place during the third weekend of August in downtown Machias to celebrate the Maine wild blueberry industry. You can enjoy crafts, food, entertainment, contests, and all things blueberry.
They hold a standard race, the John Bay Boat Company Exhibition Race, and the Jimmy Stevens Cup awarded to the Fastest Working Lobster Boat. Signups begin at 7 am, and the race starts at 10 am.
Western Maine
Denmark Sheepfest50 West Main St (Rte 160), Denmark, ME 04022 | (207) 581-2953
What started as a gathering for shearing local sheep has evolved into a big event including demonstrations, workshops and lessons, a fundraiser lunch, and more for those interested in raising sheep and working with wool. Held annually in April.
Fryeburg Fair Rte 5, Fryeburg, ME 04037 | (207) 935-3268
Fryeburg Fair, the oldest and largest agricultural fair in Maine, is by far the biggest event in Fryeburg’s calendar. Complete with a long list of events and contests, exhibitions in agriculture, gardening, crafts, history, and business, tons of local shops, and a wide variety of fair foods, the Fryeburg Fair is not to be missed!
Maine Brew FestSunday River, 15 South Ridge Rd, Newry, ME 04261 | (207) 824-2292
The Maine Brew Fest features around 100 craft beer and cider samplings from almost 30 Maine breweries. The weekend-long event features a beer dinner, an oyster tasting event, great food, family-friendly activities, and more.
Looking for a unique event? Head over to Sunday River for the Wife Carrying Championship, where couples cross a 278-yard obstacle course over hurdles, through a watery mud pit, and up an unsteady sandhill, competing to win the wife’s weight in beer and five times her weight in cash.
Amazing multi-day music festival highlighting bluegrass music, local food and beer, and good times! Musicians can also attend their string instrument camp.
The Rangeley Oktoberfest takes place in early October and is a four-day celebration featuring food, entertainment, and beers from local restaurants, pubs, shops, and museums.
This fun-filled weekend features the North American Wife Carrying Championship, kids’ pumpkin pie eating contest, the New England cornhole championship, and the Blue Mountain Arts and Crafts Fair. There are also concerts, scenic chairlift rides, free wagon rides, and more.
Wilton’s premier annual event, held on the first weekend of August, celebrates Maine’s favorite berry with live music, races, parades, a pancake breakfast, chili and blueberry cook-offs, and more.
“Maine’s Sweetest Festival” is an annual event that shows why whoopie pies are such a big part of Maine culture. Festival attendees are able to sample a variety of flavors and vote for their favorites while enjoying many other fun activities for the whole family.
