Bountiful Treasures
by Central Aroostook
Chamber of Commerce
Aroostook County is full of many treasures and sometimes
they are where you expect to find them!
As you know agriculture is one of Aroostook County’s
main industries. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that there are
vegetables for sale throughout the area.
This year Presque Isle has established a public market that
is open Thursday and Friday from noon to 6:00 p.m. each
week. The Riverside Public Market is located at the corner
of Riverside and Chapman Streets. The vendors will not
always be the same, but I am sure there will be many regular
merchants that you will be able to find there. The reason the
Riverside Public Market will be somewhere to go regularly
is that merchants can attend when they want. As the season
progresses, it is expected that the market will change and
grow.
On Saturday in Presque Isle the Farmer’s Market is open in
the parking lot of Aroostook Centre Mall from 8:30 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m. with a variety of local foodstuffs from eggs to
meat and from seedlings to ripe produce. You never really
know what you will find at the Farmer’s Market.
The most commonly commented on tradition of the area
are the untended vegetable stands along the road with a
cash box so you can pay for your goods and make your
own change! These stands are found along most roads. It is
a real surprise to travelers and new arrivals to find a stand
with produce all packed and not a soul around. The prices
are clearly marked so you can choose what you would like,
pay, make change and be on your way without speaking
to anyone. That means you can pick up produce at times
vegetable stands that have people tending them might be
closed. Many are open early in the morning and late into
the evening or twenty-four hours a day depending on the
weather.
and marathons begin. Bicycle groups start meeting and
riding in mornings and evenings. Nordic Heritage Center
in Presque Isle hosts a number of activities to encourage
use of the world class facility located between Presque Isle
and Fort Fairfield. Aroostook State Park opens their hiking
trails as does Haystack Mountain. Each year there are more
and more trails to use whether on foot or wheels. For more
information on trails visit: www.goaroostookoutdoors.com.
This website has information on all nonmotorized activities
available in the area, from hiking to dog sledding. There are
more trail maps being developed so keep checking the site.
For information on other activities and events you have
a variety of sources for information. The Chamber of
Commerce for the area you are interested in can provide
you with a wealth of information on the area they serve.
Aroostook County Tourism information can be located at
www.visitaroostook.com.
The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce serves
13 communities including: Ashland, Blaine, Castle Hill,
Chapman, Easton, Mapleton, Mars Hill, Masardis, Portage
Lake, Presque Isle, OxBow, Washburn and Westfield. Our
website should contain the most up-to-date information we
have on the festivals in these communities.
Festivals in our region start in June with Mapleton Daze and
Maple Meadow Farm Festival. Ashland, Easton and Presque
Isle all have a fair or festival in July. Mars Hill, Washburn,
Portage Lake and Presque Isle have events in August.
There are a variety of other regular events in the area as well.
While in the area take time to enjoy one of these interesting
tours.
Tour Vera Estey House - The one-hour tours begin at 1:00
p.m. at 16 Third Street. Onstreet parking is available. Tickets
are $2.00 each. Spots are limited. Reservations suggested.
Summer in Aroostook County is one festival after another. Call 762-6300 to make reservations. Tours are available July
There is often more than one community hosting a festival 26, August 23 and September 27.
on any weekend.
Molly The Trolley City-Wide Tour - Tours begin at 9:00 a.m.
In central Aroostook the schedule begins with a canoe race at the Historic Fire Station, 11 Church Street, Presque Isle
in mid-May and then speeds up as yard sales, 5K, 8K, 10K and last approximately 3 hours. Tickets are $5.00 each and
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SUMMER 2014