PATTEN, Maine – Patten Pioneer Days have been a Penobscot County midsummer tradition for more than two decades. And each year, during the second week of August, the community gathers to celebrate their heritage and each other.
This year, the event is slated for Monday Aug. 5 through Sunday Aug. 11 with events scheduled around the area.
“A lot is happening in Patten as we go into Pioneer Days,” said planning board chairman Ron Blum. “There’s the traditional Bean Hole Supper on Saturday Aug. 10 at the Lumberman’s Museum and the Patten Historical Society is reviving the historic auction on Aug. 11.”
The weeklong festivities began on Monday and there are several new items added to this year’s activities including Bangor Escape Rooms offering The Mutiny of Captain Bones from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 7.
The escape challenge at 20 Maine Street features a greedy pirate captain, a chalice that grants eternal youth. For those brave enough to steal the chalice, escape is the only way to avoid walking the pirate’s plank.
On Thursday, Salted Butter Farm is hosting an Anything that Floats event at 5 p.m. at Lower Shin Pond Beach.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11 there’s the traditional Pioneer Parade and the fireworks are on tap for 9 p.m. the same day.
As part of the weeklong festivities, Patten Historical Society Preservation Committee features speakers on Wednesday and Saturday, according to organizer Marcia Pond.
On Wednesday Aug. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m., Tom Shirley, who is related to the founder of the Lumberman’s Museum will speak at the Patten Cultural Center, formerly the Regular Baptist Church, about Edwin Searles Rogers, a relative of his who was fatally wounded during the Civil War. And on Friday, Aug. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m., retired Baxter State Ranger Chris Drew will speak at the John Gardner Homestead Museum/Patten Historical Society about the Shin Pond Hermit.
Other traditional events like the famed progressive lunch, a color run at Mt. Chase Lodge, the frog jumping contest and a sunset parade of boats at lower Shin Pond, offer a bit of something for everyone.
Here’s the schedule of events.
