AUGUST NEWSLETTER
As summer begins to wind down, one of the biggest weekends of the season is just beginning. We invite everyone to get out, support our communities, and take advantage of everything happening throughout the Greater Fort Kent Area. Whether you're a lifelong resident or welcoming family and friends to visit, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
A Weekend Full of Community Events
International Muskie Derby
August 7–9 marks another exciting International Muskie Derby. Best of luck to all of the anglers participating, and welcome to the many visitors spending the weekend in our communities.
Then, wrap up the weekend at the Fort Kent International Muskie Derby Awards Celebration at the S.W. Collins Weigh Station.
From 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., local musician Kyle Boucher will perform classic country favorites from the 1980s during a free community concert sponsored by the International Muskie Derby. Bring a lawn chair, gather with family and friends, and enjoy an afternoon of great music. No tickets are required, and Kyle will have a donation jar available for anyone who wishes to support his performance.
Come check out the big fish and cheer on the winners!
Fish River Rural Health Fair
The Fish River Rural Health Fair returns to Eagle Lake on Saturday, August 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Stop by for valuable health information, community resources, a Teddy Bear Clinic, and activities for all ages.
Be a Tourist in Your Town
Our "Be a Tourist in Your Town" initiative is in full swing throughout the Greater Fort Kent Area. We encourage everyone to explore the museums, historical sites, landmarks, businesses, parks, and attractions that make our region so special. Sometimes the greatest adventures are right in our own backyard.
Visit our website for more information. www.fortkentchamber.com
Acadian Archives Presentation
Join us on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at the Acadian Archives at UMFK for a special presentation by Patrick Lacroix. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our rich Acadian history.
Admission is free, but registration is required. Reserve your seat using the registration link below.
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Daigle-Dubé House Open House
On Sunday, August 9, celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Fort Kent Historical Society during a special open house at the Daigle-Dubé House.
Enjoy free tours of the exhibits, live entertainment by Les Chanteurs Acadiens, and a community cookout featuring hot dogs, pulled pork sliders, coleslaw, beans, and other delicious treats.
It is a wonderful way to celebrate our history while spending time with friends and neighbors.
Member Spotlight
Pregnancy Care Center of Aroostook
This month, we are proud to spotlight the Pregnancy Care Center of Aroostook as they celebrate 40 years of serving Northern Maine.
Since 1986, the Pregnancy Care Center has provided free, confidential support, education, and practical resources to women, men, and families facing pregnancy-related decisions. Their mission, Empowering People to Make Informed Decisions, is reflected through services such as pregnancy testing, limited obstetrical ultrasounds, parenting education, material assistance for infants, counseling, and community outreach programs.
For four decades, the Pregnancy Care Center has been a source of hope, compassion, and encouragement for families throughout our region. Their work continues to strengthen our communities by supporting parents and helping families thrive.
Looking Ahead: The Return of the Scarecrow Festival
While summer is still in full swing, planning is already well underway to bring back one of our favorite fall traditions.
The Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with the University of Maine at Fort Kent and the Fort Kent Parks and Recreation Department to bring back the Scarecrow Festival in 2026. By combining the festival with UMFK Homecoming Weekend, we hope to create a fun-filled celebration that brings together residents, alumni, students, businesses, and visitors for an unforgettable weekend.
Mark your calendars for September 18–20!
Plans currently include:
- Community Parade
- Crow Chase 5K
- Business, organization, and residential scarecrow displays
- Homecoming events at UMFK
- Live entertainment
- Family activities
- The Crow Crawl
- Children's Coloring Contest
- Food trucks at UMFK Sports Complex
- And plenty of opportunities to celebrate everything that makes autumn in the Greater Fort Kent Area so special.
Our goal is to create an event that showcases our local businesses, highlights community pride, and welcomes visitors from throughout the region.
As planning continues, we look forward to sharing more details and opportunities for businesses, organizations, volunteers, and community members to get involved.
Together, we're bringing this beloved tradition back to life!
The Chamber is Moving
We are excited to announce that beginning October 1, the Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce will relocate to our new home in the former West Main Street Pharmacy building.
Our new location offers better visibility, convenient parking, improved accessibility, and significantly more space to showcase member merchandise through our First Mile Mainely Made consignment program. The new office will also provide additional opportunities to better serve our members and the communities throughout the region.
To prepare for the move, the Chamber office will be closed August 25 through October 1. While we will continue answering emails and assisting members as much as possible during the transition, our physical office will be unavailable while we relocate and organize our new space.
We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you to our new home this fall.
Temporary Office Hours
Effective August 7 through August 21
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
A Personal Note from the Executive Director
Thursday, August 6, will be my final official day serving as Executive Director of the Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce.
This position has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. It has been an incredible privilege to work alongside our businesses, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, volunteers, board members, and community leaders.
Together, we have celebrated accomplishments, created new events, welcomed new members, strengthened partnerships, and worked to showcase everything that makes the Greater Fort Kent Area such a remarkable place to live, work, and visit.
While I am beginning a new professional chapter, I am pleased to share that I will continue working with the Chamber in a limited capacity to help ensure a smooth and successful transition.
Thank you for welcoming me into your businesses, your organizations, your events, and your communities. Thank you for your encouragement and your support. It has truly been an honor to serve you.
I wish continued success to every business, organization, and community throughout the Greater Fort Kent Area. I have every confidence that the Chamber will continue to grow, strengthen our region, and be an important advocate for our members for many years to come.
With sincere gratitude,
Executive Director
