Yes, Camden is jumping in February!  Who knew?! 

The 22nd Annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships ("The Nationals") are being held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 10 - 12.  The Camden Snow Bowl (15 minutes from downtown) is the site of "The Nationals" and is hosted by Camden Parks and Rec.  What started with the Camden Outing Club's Winter Carnival on Hosmer Pond in 1937 has grown into a weekend event that boasts a field of 425 teams with over 6,000 spectators over three days.  With qualifying rounds on Saturday and finals on Sunday the weekend brings bonfires, food, music, dancing, skiing and snowboarding, chowder and chili contests and fireworks over Camden Harbor!

The 25th Annual Camden Conference - The U.S. in a 21st Century World kicks off Friday, February 17 with keynote speaker Bill Richardson (former Governor of New Mexico) at the historic Camden Opera House.  Nicholas Burns (Professor of Diplomacy and International Politics at Harvard's Kennedy School) moderates this world-class conference that turns it's spotlight on the United States this year.  From political and economic unrest around the world and here at home, the weekend's speakers - Deborah Amos (Middle East Correspondent for NPR), Pete du Pont (former Governor of Delaware), Amory Lovins (Chairman, Rocky Mountain Institute) and Clyde Prestowitz (New York Times) and others will address and attempt to answer the crucial question:  Do We Have What It Takes?  

From tobaggons to politics - what more could you ask for in February, in Camden?!

The Camden Amphitheatre is well-known to many for being the perfect site for a wedding, watching outdoor movies, the Harbor Arts Festival and a host of other summertime activities and events.  On the grounds of the Camden Public Library (www.cpl.org) and adjacent to Harbor Park, this public outdoor garden amphitheatre is one of the most popular places in Camden to sit, read, play, meet friends or quietly contemplate the spectacular view toward the harbor and waterfront.

BUT . . .  did you know the Amphitheatre has an equally terrific wintertime life?  Just after Christmas the Amphitheatre becomes an ICE SKATING RINK!  Join in Camden's winter wonderland fun in the heart of downtown!   Grab your skates, round up the kids and head to the Harbor.  Ice skating with a view - only in Camden Harbor!   

The fall on the mid-coast abounds with fairs, festivals and conferences - local gatherings that bring people from far and away!  The ideal weather makes attending these events a joy on the coast.  The skies are blue and the air is crisp - sweater-weather at its best. We still have much to look forward to, and a couple to put on your calendar for next year!

We start the season with the famed Common Ground Fair at the end of September (www.commongroundfair.org).  Sponsored by MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association), the Common Ground Fair shares the best of the organic local harvest with hundreds of fair-goers from around the country. 

The Camden International Film Festival (www.camdenfilmfest.org) voted one of the top 20 small film festivals in the country, kicks off in early October. Filmmakers, producers, directors and film buffs gather in Camden for screenings, discussions and panels.  This three day documentary extravaganza brings "big films to small towns" from all over North America, as far away as Europe, Africa, the MidEast, and as close as Maine!

In mid-October,  Pop!Tech - Accelerating the Positive Impact of WorldChanging People and Ideas (www.poptech.org) - beseiges Camden with visionaries from around the world for a weekend of dialogue on the future of the sciences, technology, business, design, the arts, education, government and culture.  If you're going to hear it - you'll hear it FIRST at Pop!Tech! 

November brings us the Juice Conference - Powering the Creative Economy (www.juiceconference.org), bringing local leaders together to Connect, Collaborate, and Create to foster growth and prosperity in Maine.  Weaving together the arts, technology, and entrepreneurship, Juice is a forum for attendees to learn, exchange ideas, share success stories and to initiate and develop strategies for Maine's economic future.  Join Angus King, Eliot Cutler and many more for discourse on powering Maine's creative economy! 

A future event - The 25th Annual Camden Conference (www.camdenconference.org) held the third weekend in February 2012 is truly a reason to come in out of the cold! Entitled The U.S. in a 21st Century World: Do We Have What It Takes? this year's conference examines the prospects for the U.S. future role on the world stage and the effectiveness of our diplomatic, military, economic, and political powers.  Join such notables as Bill Richardson, ex-Governor of New Mexico, and Special Envoy for the OAS, Nicholas Brady, past moderator and speaker, Pete Dupont, ex-Governor of Delaware, Deborah Amos of NPR and others to enlighten, elucidate and guide us at this time of major transition in global alignments, an unstable world order, the rise of new economic power centers, and a dysfunctional domestic political environment.  Does the U.S. have what it takes?  Join us in February 2012 to find out!

Camden, and the midcoast, is not simply a summer playground with spectacular natural beauty, lobsters, and sailing Penobscot Bay!  America's Vacationland and Camden have much more to offer - for all seasons!

Well . . . , not-so-secret with mid-coast locals, but . . . 20 minutes from the Inn on the Camden Road, across from Hope General Store, is the hidden gem of Hope Orchards! (434 Camden Road, Hope/207.763.2824) Emily and Brien Davis have been giving back to the land and the community since 2001 with their picture-perfect apple and pear orchards!  Open until the end of October, come and pick-your-own - Macouns, Empires and Spartans now available.  They have bagged apples at the stand if you don't have time to pick. While there grab some of their Bosc pears, Butternut & Buttercup Squash, Pumpkins and . . . absolutely, do not leave without a quart of their freshly pressed cider!  The leaves are beginning to peak - the ride to the orchard is breathtaking!

The season is topped off with a great local event - "The Art of Local Food", sponsored by the Natural Resources Council of Maine.  This tasting party and art sale is held at The Summit at Point Lookout in Northport on Sunday, October, 30th, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.  Come savor the best-of-the-best from local mid-coast farms and restaurants with wonderful foods and drinks, Maine-inspired artwork, and live music - all set against the "best kept secret" panoramic view of awesome fall foliage and Penobscot Bay! 

Looking for a way to be active this fall? Go to Camden’s own High Mountain Hall and join in! Located across from the Camden Public Library on Mountain Street, High Mountain Hall offers residents and tourists alike a place to work out, celebrate, and relax.

Originally built as a church in 1848, High Mountain Hall has changed many times over the years. Today, this restored Greek revival building houses a full service spa as well as a multi-use hall for exercise and celebration events. Visitors can do everything from work out classes such as Yoga and Tai Ji in the bright vaulted hall to get a pedicure from the downstairs Beauty Mark Spa.

Not only does High Mountain Hall cater to those looking to exercise or relax, but it also provides the perfect space for any type of celebration. The lighting and beautiful woodwork of the hall creates the perfect atmosphere for all events. The hall has been used for weddings, lectures, music performances and more.

Looking to “provide a location in the heart of our community in which people gather for health, fitness, and celebration”, High Mountain Hall has proven to be the perfect sanctuary for any occasion.

For more information on High Mountain Hall and its offerings, please click here.
 

Sitting off of Rt. 1 on the Camden-Rockport town line is a small dirt road that leads travelers back in time. Visitors of the Conway Homestead and Cramer Museum are transported to the late 18th century while they visit one of the oldest structures in the region!

Built in 1770, the Conway home was one of the first homes built in the region by the son of the first white settler in Camden, Robert Thorndike. Owned and operated by the Camden-Rockport Historical Society, this complex displays some of the area’s richest history and includes a maple sugar house, a blacksmith shop, a museum as well as an education center for history enthusiasts.

As a way to display Camden’s history for all to enjoy, the Camden-Rockport Historical Society hosts many events for visitors. Thursdays are living history days. Come join the CRHS as they go about the daily chores of those living in the 18th/19th century. Visitors may also come help repair the historic Blacksmith shop and learn about the history of that great profession. Children 8-12 can even take part in week long historical themed adventures as part of the Heritage Day Camp.

The historic complex offers something for the whole family and is a great way to learn and discover life in a different time. So for those interested in Camden and its diverse history, time travel to the Conway Homestead and Cramer Museum!

As the days get a little shorter and the air gets a little cooler, we may start to look forward to the changes of fall and all of the festivities this season brings. It is this fall chill that creates the perfect atmosphere to take the family on a Red Cloak Haunted History Tour!

Camden’s history rich downtown is one of the five coastal villages that offer these historical and haunted tours. Let the Lady in the Red Cloak take your family on a lantern-lit tour throughout the town, exploring buildings and mysterious haunts. Learn about Camden’s deep history and the ghostly entities that are a part of it!

Dressed in period clothing dating to the 1800’s, the Lady in the Red Cloak gives an in depth genealogy and history of the area. Tours take place in the evening and create the perfect setting for a mysterious walk through time. Offering fun for all ages, this 90 minute tour is a great way to have fun while getting into the spirit of fall!

So bring the whole family for a night of educational (and haunted) fun! Visit the Red Cloak Haunted History Tours online on or Facebook.

Itching to see what lies beyond the bustling and beautiful Camden Harbor? Want a tour of Maine’s vibrant coast line? Hop on one of Camden’s historic schooners to sail the Penobscot Bay in style!

Located off of Bayview Landing, tourists can enjoy a sailing experience from four beautifully crafted schooners. Each with a unique history, these hand constructed schooners sail past Camden’s Curtis Island into the famous Penobscot Bay. Sailors will experience an adventure of majestic coastal views and wildlife all while getting a first hand account from a real Maine Sea Captain.

The “Appledore II”
– Having sailed around the world, the Appledore II is the largest vessel to offer day sails in Camden’s Harbor. Built in 1978, this 86 foot wooden windjammer offers ocean tours out of a sunny Camden harbor in the summer, but looks for warmer waters in Key West, Florida during the winter months. Travelers can help sail the ship and hoist its sails, or simply relax and get a drink from the schooner’s bar.

The “Lazy Jack II”
– Placed in Camden’s harbor in 2004, the Lazy Jack II is the only schooner sailing out of Camden that was built by its owner. Hand crafted locally just beyond the Camden foothills in Hope Maine, the Lazy Jack II offers day sails as well as private charters for any event. Bring your own lunch as you explore the beauty of the Midcoast.

The “Olad”
– Originally called the “Whistle Binkie”, the Olad was built in 1927. Adopting the name “Olad” in the 1940’s, the schooner eventually found its way to the beautiful Camden Harbor under the careful watch of Captain Aaron Lincoln. This 57 foot schooner offers day sails as well as custom charters.

The “Surprise”
– Used originally as a racing/cruising yacht, this 57 foot schooner has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sailing out of Camden’s Harbor for 28 years, the Surprise offers a historic tour of the Penobscot Bay region.

Can’t get enough of Camden’s quaint harbor views? If you have already been to Camden’s best place to enjoy the harbor but would like a more secluded view, take the quick walk up Bayview Street to Camden’s Laite Memorial Beach!

Laite Beach as it is known to locals, is a small and low key beach offering unblemished views of the harbor that we love so much. Visitors to the beach can observe the sloping Camden Hills, the historic Curtis Island, as well as the nautical traffic that flows in and out of greater Penobscot Bay.

Covered in pebbles, this tidal shore is a great place to explore marine life and beauty. Laite Beach is also a great family destination as it provides a swing set for children, picnic tables, outdoor grills, as well as a public bathroom and outdoor shower. Children can swim to the public dock (located close to shore) while parents grill up lunch and enjoy the view.

Considered a hidden gem to many locals, Laite Beach is an amazing harbor adventure that offers something for everyone. So as the August sun heats up, bring the family to cool down at Camden’s own Laite Memorial Beach!

Hungry after an adventure at Camden Hills State Park? Looking for a quick place to grab some lunch on your exploration of winding Mid-Coast? Bring the whole family to the new Mt. Battie Takeout and Icecream!

Under new ownership, the new and improved Mt. Battie Takeout caters to families on the go. Conveniently located on Route 1, this small fast food restaurant is the perfect pit stop for all traffic exploring the Mid-Coast.

With plenty of outdoor seating, Mt. Battie Takeout is quickly becoming a favorite for both locals and tourists looking for delicious burgers, sandwiches, and seafood. Mt. Battie Takeout offers everything from a hot dog to lobster rolls. Mt. Battie Takeout also offers Shane’s of Maine Icecream (a state favorite!) for those just looking for a nice way to cool down on a warm summer night.

Offering daily specials, customers can enjoy a homemade crab melt with a cup of clam chowder or even a haddock and clam basket with fries and coleslaw. Mt. Battie takeout is the perfect way to please the whole family while keeping to the time schedule of your exciting travels!

For more information on Mt. Battie Takeout, check them out on Facebook.