5 Festivals to Attend in Maine That Are Perfect for the Whole Family

Starting in June and going all the way through the summer season and into fall, Maine has an huge offering of festivals for folks to go to. Some of them are newer. Some have been around forever. Most of them celebrate things Mainers are known for and hold near and dear to their hearts.

From the Lincoln Loon Fest to Lisbon's Moxie Fest, every weekend from June through October it seems there's something fun going on.

Here are 5 Maine Festivals that are perfect for the whole family.

1.) Maine Whoopie Pie Festival: June 14th from 10 AM to 4 PM in Dover Foxcroft.

Since 2009, the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival has offered fans of Maine's official state dessert an opportunity to celebrate this culinary confection with a day-long event that's typically been held right in the middle of Dover Foxcroft. This year, however, since there's construction going on in town, they're moving the event to the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds, which will offer more space and better parking!

Featuring more whoopie pies in one place than you'd ever be able to imagine, of all different flavors and sizes, the Maine Whoopie Pie festival gives local bakers a chance to showcase their skills.

They always have vendors and games and tons of activities for big and little kids alike.

2.) Maine Lobster Festival: July 30th-August 3rd in Rockland

One of Maine's longest-running festivals, the Maine Lobster Festival has been operating, thanks to over a thousand volunteers, every year since 1947.

Celebrating one of the state's best-known commodities, the Maine Lobster Festival is more than just a fun weekend, it's a way to give back to the local community in Rockland.

"Since 1947, the Maine Lobster Festival has given more than $500,000 to Midcoast Maine’s communities. As a non-profit organization, the Maine Lobster Festival donates all proceeds back to the Midcoast Maine communities each year. We support local food pantries, high school sports teams, community service groups, local emergency services, and offer college scholarships for graduating high school seniors."

The festival draws upwards of 30,000 people to the Rockland area each year, for a week of activities and lobster eating.

3.) Maine Red Hot Dog Festival: August 9th from 10 AM to 5 PM in Dexter

The Maine Red Hot Dog Festival was started in 2016 to attract folks to the Dexter area.

Over the years, it's grown to take over the entire downtown Dexter area, and become  well-known as a day full of fun, food and music.

Each year the festival features a red hot dog eating contest.

The day is full of vendors, a 5K bun run, tons of food and live entertainment and prizes! Make sure to pack your lawn chairs, as there are plenty of spots to sit, relax and eat a good ole Maine Red Snapper!

4.) Machias Wild Blueberry Festival: August 15-August 17th in Machias

The Machias Wild Blueberry Festival was started in 1979 by a 19-year-old local guy named Dwight Whitney Jr., according to their website.

"He thought it would be fun to have a festival to celebrate the harvest of the blueberry crop. That first year saw a few vendors, some blueberry pies, and a few other events. Boy, have we grown since our humble beginnings."

Since it's inception, the event has drawn folks from all over the world to come partake in delicious dishes featuring Maine's famous wild blueberries!

Spread throughout the town of Machias, the event features all sorts of fun including a blueberry pie eating contest that's always a highlight.

5.) Crown of Maine Balloon Festival: August 22-August 24th in Presque Isle

The area of Maine we all call "The County" is well-known for it's beautiful landscape. And it's that landscape that was the inspiration for what's now known as the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival. According to the website, the idea of the festival came about twenty years ago.

"The festival was born as part of the 2004 Isle Fest, when local pilot Dena Winslow and pilot Bill Whelan from Ontario convinced the then Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce to give it a try. In 2006, the name was changed to the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest."

2 decades later, this festival draws adventure seekers, photographers and those who just want to experience the wonder and awe of these big balloons, to the Presque Isle area for the weekend to take in the beautiful views.

All these festivals have been put in order of when they happen, so mark your calendars accordingly and enjoy all the fun these Maine festivals have to offer.

For more info on these and other great Maine Festivals, you can also click here.