© 2024 Maine Public | Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

Winter Festival to Kick Off Acadia Centennial Celebration

Courtesy: National Park Service
A winter scene at Acadia National Park.

BANGOR, Maine - In observation of Acadia National Park's 100th birthday, officials are kicking off a year of celebrationwith a winter festival.

The Acadia Winter Festival features 45 activities spread across 10 days, with many activities in the Schoodic area. Sarah Brundage of the Schoodic Institute says it's an opportunity for visitors to see what the "other" side of the park has to offer. "You know, there's new hiking trails that many people have not had a chance yet to explore."

The park opened a new campground and visitor facilities on Schoodic point last fall, in an attempt to bring more visitors to the area. Brundage says many of the new trails take hikers close to the water, and says many find winter an interesting time to visit. "When you have the foliage off the trees and things, you tend to see a little bit more, so it's a different perspective and a great time to get out and explore that."

While snowshoeing and cross country skiing were meant to be part of the winter festival, an unseasonably mild winter has robbed the area of snow.  But Brundage says the mild conditions may coax more folks outdoors.

Events include outdoor cooking demonstrations, nature walks, talks about sea birds and wildlife, artists' demonstrations, and more. The festival runs from February 26 through March 6.