FORT KENT — The Bangor Daily News, in partnership with the Fiddlehead Focus and the Fort Kent Outdoor Center, is bringing a day of music to Fort Kent on Sunday, Sept. 18. The bands include Maine favorites such as The Ghost of Paul Revere and Dark Hollow Bottling Company as well as national folk artist and Aroostook County native Ellis Paul.
The Fiddlehead Focus ran a contest to engage the community in the naming of the event. Fiddlehead Focus founder and general manager, Andrew Birden, said, “With the great response we had with the naming contest, you could tell people sensed this event has enormous potential to draw crowds from across Maine and the Acadia of the Land and Forests. It’s happening at the height of the fall colors, and people are coming from all around to enjoy the good times.”
Starting at noon on September 18th, the BDN Foliage Music Fest will take place at the FKOC, also known as the 10th Mountain Ski Club. People around the world know the center for hosting winter sports events, such as the North American Biathlon Championships and the Biathlon World Cup. By hosting a fall event, the facility hopes to draw attention to the venue’s spectacular foliage with a day of great music.
“We have been considering having a music concert at the FKOC for many years … it is really the perfect place for an outdoor concert,” said Carl Theriault, FKOC vice president. “When the Bangor Daily News approached us about partnering on an event, we jumped on the opportunity right away to create what we see will be a great annual fall event at the Fort Kent Outdoor.”
As planning for the festival proceeds, members of the community are stepping up to help out, from student volunteers from the college to civic leaders helping to promote the international region of the Acadia of the Land and Forests, a region encompassing parts of Quebec, New Brunswick and northern Maine. Sponsors so far include Valley Motors, Fort Kent Power Sports, Acadia Federal Credit Union and the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
For additional information, or for information about sponsoring the event or being a vendor (food, crafts, family friendly activities), contact Kelly Donnelly at events@bangordailynews.com.
