Destination Katahdin! Several notable events in 2024 will take place along the 89-mile-long Katahdin Woods and Waters National Scenic Byway, which you won’t want to miss. Our local communities and organizations host several annual events that celebrate the region’s rich culture, outdoor recreational opportunities, and community spirit. Plan your visit around one of these fun events!
Here are some of the notable 2024 events on the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Scenic Byway:
Katahdin Area Winterfest (February 17, 18, 19, and 25, 2024)
The Katahdin Area Winterfest Celebration in Millinocket has several events for Children and Adults and runs February 17th – 25th, 2024. Snowmobile parade on Friday (6 pm), Antique vintage snowmobile show, kids ice fishing day on Saturday, Katahdin Snowdown (skating, snowshoe, x-skiing, etc) on Sunday, and Kids Day on Saturday the 25th. For the complete schedule of events, please download the flyer HERE
Annual Island Falls Ice Fishing Derby (February 17, 18, 2024)
Celebrate Maine’s Free Fishing Weekend with the Annual Island Falls Winterfest Ice Fishing Derby! Register for your chance to compete for bragging rights and cash prizes! This year, there will be a combined total of more than $2,000.00 awarded to those lucky or skilled enough to reel in the big one! This two-day event is sure to be fun-filled with the inclusion of Spaulding Lake, in addition to Pleasant Pond and Mattawamkeag Lake. Register at Jerry’s Foodstore in Island Falls until 6pm on Saturday to participate. This year, the award ceremony will be hosted at Big Valley Sno Club following the final weigh-in at 4pm on Sunday. Food and beverages will be available to purchase to support Big Valley Sno Club and snowmobile trail maintenance. For the latest information, please visit Jerry’s Foodstore’s Facebook page or call 207-463-2828.
Total Eclipse AND Millinockeclipse RUN (April 8, 2024)
The race starts at 2:20:53pm (when the total eclipse begins) in Millinocket. The route will go out the Golden Road, and at 3:34:15pm (total eclipse ends), all runners turn around, wherever they are, and head back. Whoever goes furthest wins! In other words, everyone will run out for 1 hour, 13 minutes, and 22 seconds before turning around. So If you’re feeling super competitive, you can try to cover 12 miles or more before turning around; however, if you’d prefer to run less and enjoy the show, you can cover a mile and watch the sky instead! You must have a Garmin and a headlamp to race! For the latest information, please visit this Facebook page
Fiddlers and Fiddlehead Festival at the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum (Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 11 am to 4 pm)
The Patten Lumbermen’s Museum hosts several annual events that celebrate the history and heritage of Maine’s logging industry. These events offer visitors a chance to learn about the region’s rich logging history and traditions through demonstrations, exhibits, and interactive activities. The Fiddlers and Fiddlehead Festival celebrates the region’s musical and culinary traditions. For the latest information, please visit: https://lumbermensmuseum.org/
Millinocket X-Stream Canoe Race (Saturday, June 1, 2024)
The course for this race is 7.4 miles from Millinocket Lake Dam to Kermit Crandall Park in Millinocket. Experience many interesting and busy class II/III rapids. Registration 8-10 am. The race starts at noon. Park and load boats on provided trailers at Kermit Crandall Park, scout Turtle Pit Rapids, race meeting at 10:15, and load busses at 10:30. For the latest information, please visit: https://paddlemillinocket.org/
Millinocket Independence Day Festival (July 4, 2024)
The Independence Day Festival in downtown Millinocket is always amazing! Meet the locals, the vendors, the food, the 4th of July Parade, the fireworks show, and other activities. There are always fun events all weekend long!
The Millinocket Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market at Veterans Memorial Park (from May to September, on Saturdays from 9 am to noon)
The Millinocket Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market features local farmers and artisans coming together to showcase their produce and hand-crafted items. The market is located at Veterans Memorial Park (50 Penobscot Ave in downtown Millinocket) and is open each Saturday from 9 am to noon from May to September).
East Millinocket Summerfest (July 11-14, 2024)
East Millinocket Summerfest is a multi-day event in the heart of summer, offering a wide range of family-friendly activities and entertainment. The festival typically includes live music, food vendors, craft fairs, car shows, children’s activities, and more. It provides an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to come together and celebrate the vibrant community spirit of East Millinocket.
Bean Hole Bean Dinner at the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum (Saturday, August 10th, 2024, from 11 am to 3 pm)
The Patten Maine Bean Hole Bean Dinner is an annual event held in Patten, Maine, in early August. The event celebrates the rich culinary traditions of the region, with a focus on the beloved Maine dish of baked beans. The beans are cooked in a traditional bean hole, a pit in the ground lined with hot rocks, which imparts a unique smoky flavor to the dish. The dinner also features a variety of other traditional Maine dishes, such as fried fish, coleslaw, and homemade desserts. The event is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, offering a taste of authentic Maine cuisine and a chance to come together and celebrate the region’s community spirit. For the latest information, please visit: https://lumbermensmuseum.org/
TEKΑKΑPIMƏK CONTACT STATION “First Look” at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (August 17 & 18, 2024)
The Tekαkαpimək Contact Station is set to open for a “First Look” at the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument on August 17 and 18, 2024. This new station will inform visitors about the monument’s history, culture, and natural resources. It will also serve as a hub for educational programming and outdoor activities, such as guided hikes and wildlife viewing. It’s an exciting addition to the monument and an excellent opportunity for visitors to learn more about this beautiful and historic region.
For the latest information and to register for the “First Look” event, please visit: https://www.friendsofkww.org/woodsandwatersday/
Millinocket Trail Festival (September 13, 14, & 15, 2024)
The Millinocket Trail Festival is a weekend-long celebration of outdoor recreation, including hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and more. Held in the summer, the festival features guided hikes, group runs on the region’s extensive trail network, and workshops, demonstrations, and family-friendly activities. The event highlights Millinocket’s status as a gateway to the wilderness of Baxter State Park and the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. For the latest information, please visit: https://trailsendfestival.org/
Holiday Stroll and Parade in Millinocket, Maine (November – December)
The Holiday Stroll and Parade is a festive event that kicks off the holiday season in Millinocket. Held in late November or early December, the event features a parade through downtown Millinocket, with festive floats, marching bands, and community groups. Following the parade, participants can enjoy holiday-themed activities, live music, food vendors, and visits with Santa Claus.
Millinocket Marathon & Half (Saturday, December 7, 2024)
Held in December, the Millinocket Marathon & Half is a community-driven event attracting worldwide runners. The race is unique because it is free to participants, with no registration fees. Instead, runners are encouraged to support local businesses and donate to the community. The event showcases the region’s natural beauty, with the course winding through the scenic landscapes surrounding Millinocket.
Check also these event venues in the Katahdin region for more upcoming events:
- Boreal Theater (weekly live performances) · Millinocket
- River Drivers Restaurant at NEOC · Millinocket
- Shin Pond Village · Shin Pond
- Golden Road Crossing · Millinocket
- 5 Lakes Lodge · Millinocket
- Mount Chase Lodge · Mount Chase
- Patten ATV Club · Patten
- East Millinocket Snow Rovers Club House · East Millinocket
- East Branch Sno-Rovers and ATV Club · Medway
- Highlands Tavern · Millinocket
- Millinocket Elks Lodge 1521 · Millinocket
- Hamlet Pub · East Millinocket
- Veterans’ Memorial Library · Millinocket
- Pine Grove Campground and Cottages · Medway
- Rivers Edge Motel · Medway
- Moose Woods Guide Service, LLC · Millinocket
- Wilderness Edge Campground · Millinocket
These annual events contribute to the cultural vitality and sense of community in the Katahdin region, offering residents and visitors opportunities to come together, celebrate, and enjoy all that the region has to offer throughout the year.
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About the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Scenic Byway
Katahdin, Maine’s highest mountain, sits prominently within the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Scenic Byway.
Passing through vast, breathtaking woods and waters, as well as eight towns and villages, the byway will take you on an 89-mile journey filled with recreational opportunities as well as areas of significant history and culture.
Follow the footsteps of Henry David Thoreau and his Penobscot guides, experience the same magnificent vistas that inspired artists Frederic Edwin Church and Marsden Hartley, or venture into the wilderness that enlightened Theodore Roosevelt.
Nationally recognized for its excellent year-round outdoor activities, the scenic byway provides access to Baxter State Park, the Appalachian Trails (AT and IAT), the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and the East and West branches of the Penobscot River for world-class whitewater rafting and paddling.
Explore on your own or seek out local registered guides and outfitters to access the byway’s many outdoor recreation sites. Make sure to visit the area’s historical societies and museums and read the interpretive panels along the byway to learn more about the region’s fascinating history.
Discover the Katahdin region, one of America’s most exciting wilderness playgrounds!
PLAN YOUR VISIT at https://www.KatahdinWoodsandWaters.com
