Fall: Every fall the small mountain village of Bethel, Maine, hosts a vigorous physical competition that draws a big fun loving crowd to Sunday River Ski Resort. The event is The North American Wife Carrying Championship. The competition’s bizarre history comes from the country of Finland where centuries ago, men would steal wives from neighboring villages. The modern day event is a test of physical strength and stamina in a fun family friendly atmosphere. These teams of a man and women (who don’t have to be married) have to navigate a 278 yard course full of obstacles including a 20 foot long pit filled with water three feet deep, all the while the women are being carried. Competitiors take this event very seriously using different carrying styles, and receive penalty points if the carried wife is dropped. So what do the winners receive for their hard work to win this weird title? They win the wife’s weight in beer, and three times her weight in cash. First place winners also qualify to enter the World Championships in Finland. To compete participants must be at least 21 years old, and come ready to have some fun.
Tag: Fall
Belfast: Discover The Undiscovered Coastal Town You’ve Been Looking For!
Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring: If you are looking for a place to take a great day trip near the coast but, don’t want to fight the crowds trying to get into Boothbay and Bar Harbor than Belfast may be just the place for you. First, there is plenty to see and do in this town. From art gallaries, to restaurants, shopping to the natural beauty of the area you’ll be glad you made the trip. The town has a quirky, artsy feel to it with its vintage theater just off Main Street, funky shops and interesting eats, Belfast is a great place to hang out for a while. One fun and interesting thing to do while you are there is to visit the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad located in Belfast. Guest can enjoy scenic train rides of Penobscot Bay on one of only a few remaining passenger trains in Maine. If you love theater, Belfast also is home to a talented live theater group called the Belfast Players. With an on-going play bill, theater lovers will forget they are in a a small mid-coast town in Maine. If you are into architecture, there are some beautiful old, Victorian homes in Belfast and a self guided walking trip especially on Northport Avenue is a great way to spend some time enjoying town. The banks of the harbor offer a perfect picnic spot and a place to kick back and read or just enjoy the views. Belfast has a real unhurried pace that makes it a great spot if you are looking for an “undiscovered” sea coast town that offers something for everyone.
Fall Festival Arts & Crafts: Downeast Maine Style
Fall: Camden is one of Maine’s prettiest villages on the mid-coast and during the fall travelers from all around to enjoy the ocean and the views from Mt. Battie. Put Camden on your list of places to visit this fall especially during the last week of September when Camden celebrates the change of season with their annual Fall Arts and Crafts Show. The harbor is the backdrop for this amazing outdoor craft show where over 100 exhibitors set up tents on the grounds of the library and amphitheater to display their goods. This is a very popular event where well known local artist like Lynn Snow and several others. While you are in Camden there are plenty of things to see and do. The downtown area is lined with quaint shops, art galleries and great restaurants. The waterfront offers places to sit and enjoy the boats coming in and out of the harbor as well as scenic cruises and kayaking tours. If you head out of town north on Route 1 you will find Mt. Battie which has great hiking trails and breath taking views of all of Camden from the top of the tower. Camden is close to Lincolnville Beach which is home to the famous Lobster Pound Restaurant where you can enjoy some of the freshest seafood from the area. Why not spend the entire weekend in Camden enjoying the art and craft show, checking out the art galleries along Route 1 from Camden to Lincolnville, going to Rockport Harbor to check out the Maine Center of Contemporary Art and even making a trip down the road to enjoy Rockland’s downtown area. The mid-coast is the perfect place to go any time of year so be sure to make it one of your stops along the way.
Fall Foliage Tours: Hop On The Train And Enjoy The View
Fall: Driving through the back roads of Maine is a great way to enjoy the fall foliage…if you’re the passengers. If however, you are always the driver and you don’t usually get the opportunity to enjoy the scenery then perhaps you should consider taking a trip with your friends or family aboard the Maine Eastern Railway. During the fall months, you can enjoy a scenic ride through the mid-coast region where the vibrant colors of the leaves reflect on the blue ocean in the background. Hop on the train in Brunswick and enjoy the ride all the way to Rockland. Along the way, don’t be surprised if you spot wildlife and quiet inlets where the sea meets the land. Once you get into Rockland, there is plenty to see and do. Whether you stop in at one of the many restaurants or take some time to explore the Farnsworth Museum there is definitely something for everyone. Rockland’s Main Street has undergone a total transformation in the past couple of years and the area is booming with great shops and restaurants. You could spend the day enjoying the sites or plan your trip around one of the town’s popular events like the Rockland Lobster Festival or the annual Blues Festival. The leaves are getting ready to change so hurry up and make your plans now to enjoy a scenic ride on the Maine’s own passenger train through the fall foliage!
Farmhouses: Discover Wyeth’s Love Of The Olson House
Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring: Maine’s farmhouses have a certain allure that have been the subject of famous artist such as Andrew Wyeth. In his famous series of paintings known as Christina’s World the Olson House, an antique farmhouse in Cushing, stands at the top of a grassy knoll overlooking the St. George River. This weather beaten farmhouse symbolized the lifestyle of Mainers in the early 1800’s. The Olson House is a great place to visit and is fairly easy to find. Take a drive to the mid coast up Route 1 through Thomaston, once you see the old prison, take a right and head toward Cushing. This amazing piece of Maine history was depicted in many of Wyeth’s paintings where he had a studio for over 30 years. The starkness of Wyeth’s impression of this home can be witnessed firsthand as you enter the long driveway leading up to the house. The interior of the home is as stark as its exterior with only a single easel marking the spot of where Wyeth spent much of his time painting. The Farnsworth Museum in Rockland now owns and manages the property. Information on the hours, directions and cost for tours can all be obtained through the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland. While you are in Cushing take some time to explore the area. Take a ride toward Spruce Head where you will find the Owls Head Light. It’s a great place to have a picnic, take some pictures and spend some time enjoying the sites.