One of the most fun-filled and family-friendly places in Maine is Aroostook County. With so much to do and see, there’s no bad time for a visit.
WRITTEN BY WANDA CURTIS
A Winter Wonderland
During the winter months, Houlton hosts their annual Moosestompers Weekend (usually held in February). Activities in previous years have included sledding on Derby Hill, monster truck rides, human dog sled races, ice skating, fishing derbies, toboggan rides, and a half-dollar scramble in the snow for children. Steaming hot chocolate is served around a blazing bonfire.
Also in February, the Maine-Quebec Winter Carnival Caravan leaves from Portage to attend the world-famous Quebec Winter Carnival. The caravan is a tradition that commenced 68 years ago to increase interest in cross-the-border trade. A caravan travels through the logging roads of the North Woods to Quebec.
The Fort Kent Outdoor Center is a great place to enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, skijoring, and biathlon. They’re a non-profit group dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle by offering a well-maintained athletic facility where people can participate in outdoor activities. They claim to have some of the best-groomed trails in New England for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing.
Fort Kent is also the site of the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race, usually held the first Saturday in March. Local mushers display their talent and skills alongside internationally renowned competitors. It’s sure to draw another large crowd, from Maine and beyond, in 2025.
Spring Delights & Delicacies
In March, many sugar shacks, where maple syrup is produced, offer free tours and samples. The owners of Northwoods Nectar, located in Eagle Lake, offer educational demonstrations at their sugar shack during Maple Syrup Weekend in March. They report that it takes roughly 40 gallons of maple sap to make one gallon of pure Maine maple syrup!
Another of Maine’s delicacies harvested in Aroostook County, each spring, is the fiddlehead. Fiddleheads are coiled tips of young ostrich ferns that grow near brooks, lakes, and rivers. The Fiddlehead Festival, held in Presque Isle each May, offers an opportunity to sample tastings of fiddlehead recipes prepared by well-known chefs and features lots of other fun activities, too.
Summer Festivals
The summer months are jam-packed with festivals and fun activities. Early in the summer, Caribou hosts its annual Caribou Cares About Kids celebration with face painting, bounce houses, basketball, corn hole games, arts and crafts, and the annual Caribou Cares About Kids parade.
In July, thousands gather in Fort Fairfield for the annual 9-day, multi-event Maine Potato Blossom Festival. And in August, the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest in Presque Isle offers an opportunity to take a ride in a hot air balloon or watch the mass ascension of multiple balloons.
Farther south, Houlton hosts their annual Potato Feast Days featuring a potato bar with baked potatoes and a variety of toppings, lobster dinner, potato games for children, a popular doll parade, an arts and crafts fair, a touch-a-truck, and more. Houlton is also home to a large agricultural fair every summer and a spectacular Fourth of July fireworks display.
Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle is a great place to hike and view wildlife. Echo Lake is located there with a boat launch, canoe and boat rentals, and great fishing. There’s also a small campground with 30 sites, showers, and kitchen shelter.
Fall Foliage & Fun
Fall is the perfect time to visit and enjoy the beautiful foliage in Aroostook County, where the leaves change color earlier than anywhere else in Maine. Colors usually peak around the end of September or early October. Hiking, driving, biking, or taking a bus tour are popular ways to view the changing foliage. The County is proud to be the home of the St. John Valley/Fish River National Scenic Byway and one end of the Million Dollar View Byway where tourists can find great views. Other favorite places to view the changing leaves are Fort Kent, Eagle Lake Public Land, and Aroostook State Park.
Another popular activity during the fall is hunting. Many hunters dream of taking home a huge Maine black bear which can weigh up to 600 pounds. Maine has the highest black bear population in the eastern U.S., according to maineguides.org. Maine guides and hunting camps are available throughout the County to help lead hunters to the best spots.
Maine moose, weighing up to 1,100 pounds, are also highly sought after by hunters. Maine has one of the largest moose populations in the U.S., second only to Alaska. Moose permits are distributed by lottery. White-tailed deer and many bird species are also hunted in the North Woods. Hunting regulations can be viewed on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website.
For those who enjoy apple picking in the fall, there are several pick-your-own apple farms and orchards in Aroostook County. Farmer’s markets, teeming with apples, potatoes, pumpkins, and other harvested produce are also fun to visit. must do your research on these programs to determine eligibility because you will meet resistance getting help at times and if you know the rules and remain persistent, you will get them.”
Whatever the season, Aroostook County is a great place to visit, jam-packed with fun events and wonders to see.
