We are happy to have you in our community and are sure that you will enjoy your stay.  The people of the St. John Valley are well known for their hospitality and friendliness; we know that while you are visiting you will experience this first hand. Please take the time to explore and learn what our area is all about.

Our region is world renowned for its world class volunteers and events.  Such events include World Cup Biathlon competitions, which happen to be the largest sporting events ever showcased in Maine, and Can Am Dog Sled Races, a qualifier for the Iditarod Dog Sled Race, that pack downtown Fort Kent with excited spectators.  We also offer our Annual Muskie fishing Derby and Ploye Festival, which is a unique combination of cultural festivities and exciting muskie fishing.  The St. Agatha Summer fest comes around only every 5 years and shows the spirit of St. Agatha and its wonderful people.  The Scarecrow festival and the University of Maine at Fort Kent’s homecoming is a colorful fall celebration. We are also proud to have hosted our local Arts and Crafts Fair for over 30 years.

Along with its inviting community, the greater Fort Kent area has many other assets to share. They include some of the best Snowmobile and ATV trail systems in the country; bountiful watersheds; vast forest lands; well-maintained downhill skiing and golfing facilities; border crossing into Canada; and the 10th Mountain world class Nordic skiing and biathlon trails.  While in the Greater Fort Kent area we do hope that you will take advantage of all that we have to offer and if you can’t experience them all in one trip, we invite you to return to the area and experience what you may have missed out on the first time around.

The St John Valley was first inhabited by Acadian and Irish Settlers looking to farm the fertile lands and harvest the plentiful timber.  There was also a strong Native American presence in our region and all groups worked together and got along well, which is still evident today. Our appreciation for our heritage, small town community spirit, and our strong family values has molded the people of Fort Kent and its surrounding communities to be the friendly and hardworking individuals that they are today.

Forestry and Farming still remain among the top industries in the greater Fort Kent area.  Fort Kent has also become a hub for Education and Health Care professionals in the St. John Valley.  While in Fort Kent you may also rely on our local businesses and get a firsthand look as to how a small community can sustain itself.  We are very proud of our small town business atmosphere and welcome you to come experience our hard work and dedication first-hand.

Once again we welcome you to our communities and we wish you a great stay.  Please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions at 1(800) SEE- FKME or at (207) 834-5354.

Our region is blessed with some of the best fishing within the State of Maine and New England. Couple the outstanding sport with some of the most spectacular scenery and it can be understood why many make the trek to the region annually.

Fort Kent originally was founded as an outpost for the lumber industry. The undeclared, bloodless Aroostook War was based on the timber rights sought by both Maine and Great Britain who then held control of the Province of New Brunswick. The Blockhouse named after Governor Edward Kent was the first building erected and still stands today. Following the lumber industry were immigrant farmers. The area is rich in history of the varied cultures that settled the region. French is the secondary language spoken even today by many of the residents. The French influence can be seen in some of the older buildings in town as well as one of the town’s landmarks the Saint Louis Catholic Church.