Chamber Newsletter

From The Executive Director

As we step into a new season, there is an incredible energy building across our community and we invite you to be part of it.

We just published a brand new blog post celebrating everything that makes the Greater Fort Kent Area one of the most special places in New England. From the Allagash Wilderness Waterway to the IBU Biathlon World Cup, from Bouchard's Country Store to the resilient people who make this community what it is, it is all in there.

Read it here: https://fortkentchamber.com/discover-the-greater-fort-kent-area-northern-maines-best-kept-secret

This year is shaping up to be a powerful year of growth, collaboration, and community impact.

.

 A Season of Energy, Connection, and Possibility

There is something special about this time of year in the Greater Fort Kent area. As the days grow longer and the snow begins to melt away, you can feel  a renewed sense of energy, excitement, and connection building all around us.

Our community is coming alive this Spring!

At the Chamber, we are right in the middle of it all working alongside our businesses, partners, and volunteers to create meaningful experiences, support local growth, and bring people together in ways that truly matter.

From planning upcoming events to welcoming new ideas and new members, there is a lot happening behind the scenes and it is all driven by one simple goal: Strengthening the community we are so proud to call home.

But what makes all of this truly special is you.

Whether you are attending an event, supporting a local business, volunteering your time, or simply helping spread the word, you are part of the momentum that keeps our region moving forward.

We invite you to lean into this season with us. Get involved. Show up. Be part of the energy.

Because when our community comes together, incredible things happen.

 Easter Egg-stravaganza Weekend Is Here!

Get ready one of our most loved community traditions this wekend at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Our Easter Egg-stravaganza is back, and this year is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. This fun family friendly basket raffle brings together incredible donations from our local businesses, giving everyone the chance to win amazing prizes while supporting a great cause.

Tickets are just 50 cents each and can be placed in front of the baskets you would love to win. The more tickets you enter, the better your chances.

Event Times
Friday, March 20, 2026 from 12 to 6 pm
Saturday March 21, 2026  from 8 am to 1 pm

Prizes will be drawn at 1 and pick up will be from 1:00-3:00

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny will take place on Saturday from 8:00am to 10:00am and will be catered by Rock’s Diner. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy a delicious meal, spend time together, and create lasting memories. There will also be time for photos with the Easter Bunny so be sure to bring your cameras. This event is first come, first served, so be sure to show up early!

If you have not yet purchased your tickets online, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible so we can provide an accurate headcount for our caterer.

Please click the link here to purchase your tickets: Breakfast with the Easter Bunny - Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce

We are also excited to host our Easter Egg Hunt, generously sponsored by Condo and Associates, which is always a highlight for the kids.

All Easter festivities will take place at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Fort Kent.

 Local Businesses, We Thank you!

We are so close to our goal and this is where you come in.

We have 53 incredible baskets donated by our amazing business community and our goal was 50. Thank you to the generous businesses who gave of their time and thier investment into this wonderful event.  Part of the proceeds for this event will go toward Our Annnual Scholarship that debuts this year and to WFKTV, Channel 4.

Below is a list of the generous businesses that have participated!  This year has shaped up to be our best one yet and we could not have done it without the support of these local businesses!

 

4D Carpentry	Gas & Go Foods	Pelletier Florist
Allegiance Trucks	Gas & Go Foods (adult)	Pelletier Ford/Motors
BB Laser	Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce (Child)	Rocks
Bouchard Family Farms (adult) #1	Hannaford	Route 1 Laundromat
Bouchard Family Farms (child) #2	Irving Woodlands	Skin Serenity by Stephanie
Buddy Daigle Paving	John's Surefine	St. Francis Snow Angels
Connor's Craft Shack	JRS Firewood	Tangles
Daigle Oil Company	K&K Beauty	Tech & Trends
Dead River	Katahdin Trust Bank	Tom Smith & Sons Logging
Deep Gash Sportsman Lodging	Lakeview Restaurant & Campground	Town of Allagash
EMCO Logging/Junction 19	Lee Theriault CPA	True North Earthworks
Exhale Salon & Spa	Levesque Office	UIG
First Mile Brewing	Moose Town Riders	University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK)
First Mile Mainley Made (Adult)	Nicole Beaulieu Med Asthetics	Valley Eye Care
Fort Kent Police & Fire	Norstate Federal Credit Union	Valley Motors
Fort Kent Public Works	North Reach Maple/Hag's Place Rental	Lion's Club #1
Fort Kent SnoRiders	Northern Maine Medical Center	Lion's Club #2
Fort Kent Town Office	Paradise for Rent

 

 Member Spotlight and Community Appreciation

This month we are proud to shine our Member Spotlight on Condo and Associates, the generous sponsor of this year’s Easter Egg Hunt.

Their continued support and commitment to our community help make events like this possible and we are grateful to have them as part of our Chamber network. Be sure to take a moment to check out their featured ad and learn more about the great work they do.

Condo & Associates | Featured Member

This month, we are proud to feature Condo and Associates, offering innovative healthcare solutions through Recuro Health Virtual Care.

Their most popular option, Plan 2 – Comprehensive Virtual Primary Care ($29.99 per month), makes it easier than ever to take control of your health from the comfort of home.

This plan includes:
• A dedicated primary care provider
• Virtual visits for wellness, follow-ups, and chronic care
• At-home lab testing kits
• Behavioral health support
• 24/7 urgent care access
• Electronic prescriptions sent directly to your pharmacy
• Access to over 300 common medications at no additional cost

This affordable and convenient option is designed to simplify healthcare while keeping you and your family supported every step of the way.

 Coming Soon

Condo and Associates will also be launching additional plan options, including a comprehensive all-in-one care package and a lower-cost urgent care plan.

These options are currently in a wait-list phase, so if you are interested in learning more or securing your spot, now is a great time to reach out.

 Learn More call 207-834-1180

 First Mile Mainely Made

Growing and Showcasing Local

There is so much exciting momentum happening at our First Mile Mainely Made store.

We have begun connecting with local high school students at Community high School in Fort Kent, as well as Business Students at the St. John Valley Tech Center, to serve as interns at the Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center. This is helping us keep the office open more consistently while allowing us to continue our community outreach efforts.

It is a win for everyone, our students gain valuable experience, our Chamber remains accessible, and our local vendors receive increased visibility.

We are proud to now feature 16 local vendors in our consignment space, showcasing the creativity and talent within our region.

We are also continuing our 50% off retail merchandise sale, so be sure to stop in and take advantage of some great finds.

This Months Featured Maker

Guerette Hobbies.

Be sure to come in and check out their displayat our First Mile Mainely Made Gift Shop!

 Member Benefits in Action

Our Members Only Savings Cards are officially being created.

We sincerely thank all participating businesses for helping make this program possible. Your involvement strengthens our local economy and encourages our community to support one another.

The cards are currently being ordered and will be mailed directly to the contact person listed on your membership form by the end of the month.

Scholarship Opportunity

We are also proud to offer (2) $500 dollar scholarships for students planning to attend the University of Maine at Fort Kent in a business program.

Eligible applicants include employees of Chamber member businesses and their children. For more information, please contact the Chamber office or your local high school guidance office.

 Neighbors Helping Neighbors

As the neighboring Chamber of Commerce, we are helping to share an opportunity from the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce as they prepare for the upcoming Top O’ Maine Trade Show, taking place April 25 and 26 in Madawaska.

With limited booth space remaining, they have reached out to surrounding Chambers for support in connecting with businesses who may be interested in participating, as they currently do not have an Executive Director.

This well-attended regional event offers a great opportunity for businesses to showcase their products and services, connect with new customers, and expand their reach across Aroostook County.

If your business is interested in learning more about exhibiting, please contact the St. John Valley Chamber directly for additional details.

 St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce has asked us to help spread the word…

 What’s Coming Up

March 20 | 1:00 PM-6:00PM
Easter Egg-stravaganza at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Fort Kent
Join us for an afternoon of basket raffles, community fun, and excitement.

March 20 | 6:00 PM
Shamrock Shenanigans at First Mile Brewing
Kick off the weekend with a fun evening. If you are in town for the Easter Eggstravaganza, be sure to stop by afterward.

March 21 |8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Easter Egg-stravaganza Continues
 Breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
 Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00 AM

March 21 – March 22
Maine Maple Weekend at Northern Reach Maple
Celebrate maple season with a full lineup of activities. Visit their Facebook page for more details.

March 22 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Senior Center Community Meal
Enjoy a welcoming and delicious meal. Cost is $12 per person.

March 22 | 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Frosty Bites at the Fort Kent Outdoor Center
Enjoy snowshoeing and skiing in a unique outdoor experience. Visit their Facebook page for more details.

March 26 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sucrerie at UMFK
Enjoy a variety of sweet treats and connect with the community.

March 26 | 6:00 PM social hour 7:00 Trivia Begins
Trivia Night at Lonesome Pine Trails, hosted by UMFK Foundation.
Test your knowledge and enjoy a fun evening

March 27 | Photos at 5:00 PM | Dance 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Father Daughter Dance
 Knights of Columbus Hall
A special evening to create lasting memories.

March 29 | 2:00 PM
Mr. CHS at Community High School
Tickets are $10 each or $5.00 for students

April 4 | Starting at 12:00 PM
Lonesome Pines Fun Day
Celebrate the end of the season with a fun-filled day for families and great entertainment.

April 4 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Lonesome Pines
Live Music with Boomerang at Lonesome Pines
Wrap up the day with live music and great vibes.

April 25 | 6:00 PM Lonesome Pines
41st Packer Fund Raffle Social hour starts at 6:00, raffle to begin at 7:00 PM
Tickets are $50.00 each and can be purchased at the Chamber Office

May 28 |  8:00-4:30 Rescheduled Headshot Workshop 
Our rescheduled session is coming up and there is still time to book your spot

Logger Fest 2026: Mark Your Calendars

Logger Fest will take place May 15-17 and is shaping up to be an incredible weekend filled with activities, entertainment, and community fun.

We are currently welcoming vendors for both indoor and outdoor spaces. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business and be part of one of the region’s most anticipated events.

There is a vendor fee for non-members and additional details are available by contacting the Chamber office.

More information will be shared soon, so stay tuned.

 Staying Connected

Sharing the Momentum

There are so many exciting things happening in and around the Greater Fort Kent area and it is truly inspiring to see our communities so active and engaged.

At the Chamber, we are always working to help share and promote the great events, initiatives, and opportunities happening throughout our region. While we do our best to share posts from local businesses and organizations, we know there is always more happening.

If you or your business has an upcoming event, announcement, or something you would like highlighted, please reach out to us. Whether on our Facebook page or within the Chamber office, we are always happy to help spread the word.

Our goal is to support, connect, and amplify the amazing work happening across our community.

Thank you for being part of it all.