DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — The fourth annual Maine Whoopie Pie Festival aims to be the biggest one yet.
The festival on Saturday, June 23, starts with a Earn Your Whoopie Pie 3K run/walk at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 1K fun run at 8:45 a.m. A scavenger hunt called the Amazing Whoopie Pie Race begins at 10 a.m. Vendors, artists and other events also begin at 10 a.m.
“As the festival has grown, we’ve tried to provide more activities for kids and families,” said organizer Patrick Myers in a statement.
A rummage sale and a farmers market will be set up nearby. The town’s Kiwanis Park will have a free children’s fishing event as well. A 25-foot tall climbing wall, a bungee jumping ride and a bounce house have also been added for this year’s event.
In 2009, the event’s first year, about 600 people showed up. The next year, it grew to 3,000 visitors. Rain dampened last year, with 2,000 visitors.
“We have whoopie pie-eating contests, old-fashioned games and activities for the kids organized by the YMCA, balloon animals, face painting, a magic show by Maine magician Conjuring Carroll and then there are the rides,” said Myers.
Samples of whoopie pies will be available from vendors including Governor’s Restaurant, Labree’s Bakery and other businesses and some home bakers.
Myers said he recognizes that Maine’s official state treat carries certain health risks if eaten too much.
“We certainly are not lobbying to have the whoopie pie included in the government’s food pyramid and we know there is no ‘daily recommended allowance’ of whoopie pie,” said Myers. “However, we also believe that it is just fine to take one day out of the year to celebrate this uniquely Maine treat and enjoy something that is quintessentially Maine.”
The festival takes place on River Street in downtown Dover-Foxcroft and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5. Kids 12 and under get in for free.
For information, visit mainewhoopiepiefestival.com.
Charming photo,just…charming..
Whoopie!
Don’t tell Michelle Obama or Michael Bloomberg – they’ll replace it with a celery eating contest
Does Gov. Lepage plan on attending? Maybe we can get an update from his spokesperson…..if anyone can get in contact with her……
“Nature uses as little as possible of anything.”
-Johannes Kepler
Hey people, there’s a real kid involved here with real feelings who will likely read all these comments – perhaps that could be kept in mind? I’m sure you wouldn’t want your child reading hurtful things said about them by adults safely ensconced (and presumably, all fit, nimble, and flawless) behind their computer screens. I understand wanting to call attention to the connection between an unhealthy eating event and a health crisis, and it was the first thing that came to my mind, as well, but there’s something to be said for making sure your words aren’t unnecessarily harmful.
Jesus herbert christ..
Just give some thought to what this could be if there were a EastWestHighway close by.
I make whoopie pies about once a year, because they are horribly bad for me and they are like crack , LOL. I’ll be in Maine this year, so I’ll get my yearly fix while up there.
“We certainly are not lobbying to have the whoopie pie included in the government’s food pyramid and we know there is no ‘daily recommended allowance’ of whoopie pie,” said Myers. “However, we also believe that it is just fine to take one day out of the year to celebrate this uniquely Maine treat and enjoy something that is quintessentially Maine.” <— did any of you with the negative posts read this paragraph? Or did you just make an assumption based on the picture? ONE day out of the year does not cause obesity, the plague will not settle over Maine, and whoopie pies are not ushering in the east-west highway. Please consider this a good thing for a small town's economy if only for a day!!! It's also a chance for people to come together face to face in an otherwise technology ruled era. So maybe they're indulging and taking in more calories than usual but they're also getting out of the house doing some walking and getting fresh air..
i also would like to point out that this kid looks like a NORMAL SIZED KID! there is a middle ground btween skinny and fat and THAT IS WHERE KIDS ARE SUPPOSED TO FALL!
PLUS! as any celebrity eating photo can prove even the most attractive people do not look good when they are stuffing food into their mouths.
to you people who feel like it is OK to be hurtful to children… it is just as important to consider what is coming out of your mouth as it is what goes in. but i guess what you look like physically is more important to you than not being harmful to others. that is by far the least charming thing here.
Hey, this is the fat kid speaking. You know, I don’t like to toot my own horn(you know, about being an accomplished singer, songwriter, athlete, saxophonist, pianist, ukelelist, guitarist, impressionist, flutest, clown, honor student, and anything but fat), but I would just like to say that I have been in Down East Magazine, The Whoopie Pie Book, and several newspapers. I stick up for kids my age who are the underdogs. I’m proud to say that I am not too sensitive, to rude comments, but what about the kid who had a picture in the news for Big Ol Fish with a fish that was to big for him to hold up. His father shows him the picture online but then has to go grab something. The kid scrolls down and sees the comments: What a scronny kid; hey dad, time to fatten him up; boy, in school he will have trouble with his pencil. its hard to carry ur own weightlol…
Upon seeing this, the child’s excitement turns to self consciousness. He stops fishing with his dad. He forces himself to overeat and develops eating disorders. Yeah your jokes don’t seem so funny now.
On the bright side, I am comfortable about myself, and I WILL be competing this year, so if you are an underdog, struggle with weight problems, or have seen this article, come on down, and support me in taking back my title. But for those “comedians” who commented on this, one, don’t quit your day job, and two, try to be a bit nicer, and enjoy the festival the way it was ment to be enjoyed in the first place. God Bless,
Jordan Marshall
ahmem This is Jordans “Pop” and on this Fathers Day I just want it known”Thats quite a Boy I’ve got there, eh? I guess he doesn’t need me to defend him but Im sure there are some “Sons” that may need this. Some of you people need to get a grip. We all have weaknesses…some of them can be observed by looking at us, others not so easily identified. Whats your weakness, can it be seen? Anything that may be consumed in this contest will easily be burned off by following my Son or my Daughter the Reigning Jr Miss Shiretown (oh yeah she may be in the contest too) around next Sat afternoon. So its all good come and enjoy yourself. It may loosen you up a bit too. Its a Win Win.