While you’re here, you can explore the wonders of Maine; the fairs and festivals, visit the outlet stores in Freeport, tour the Old Port in Portland, go whale watching, go antiquing, visit lighthouses, and more!
Visit our neighbors all within 20 minutes of the resort. The Maine State Building, dedicated to Poland Spring’s amazing history. Poland Spring Bottling Museum with interactive displays and more. Maine Wildlife Park, where you’re guaranteed to see a moose! Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, the only remaining active Shaker Community gift shop and tours. McLaughlin Gardens with historic flower gardens.
OXFORD CASINO! Open 24 hours everyday and only a few minutes from the resort. Drive yourself. Nearly 1,000 slot machines and 30 table game Must be 21 or older. Gambling Problem? Call 2-1-1 for help.
Local Events 2023
May 26-29 (Friday-Monday) 10:00am – 4:00pm Lilac Festival– In South Paris
With over 125 different varieties, McLaughlin Garden’s Lilacs are the pride of the McLaughlin Garden and the focal point of this weekend’s celebration. Enjoy the glorious sights and smells while exploring the lilac collection and the rest of the garden on your own, or take a guided garden tour (daily at 11am) with our horticulturist. Participate in workshops, shop for plants and gifts, and enjoy live musical entertainment. $5p.p suggested admission donation
July 15 Saturday 44th Annual Founder’s Day Event – Paris
The 44th annual Founder’s Day to support the Hamlin Library and Museum in Paris, Maine will be held Saturday July 15, 2023.The showpiece of the charity event is The Bahre Collection of antique and Classic cars. The collection, housed at the birthplace of Hannibal Hamlin, Abraham Lincoln’s first vice-president, is open once a year to the public at the Founder’s Day event.
The collection of over fifty vehicles includes one of the world’s finest assemblages of Packards. The Packard collection features Dietrich V-windshield body styles and LeBaron V-windshield body styles on the Packard 12 chassis for 1932-34, the one-off front-wheel-drive prototype sedan, a 1906 Model S touring car and other specialty Packards.The collection highlights American Classics such as Duesenbergs, Cadillac, Stutz, and Graham-Paige; foreign Classics such as Delahaye, Isotta Fraschini, Hispano-Suiza, Mercedes-Benz and Alfa-Romeo; and an eclectic grouping of brass-era cars (including two electric cars), a Tucker, a Harley-Davidson, the original Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang II from 1921, and later-model sports cars. Lunch options will be available and there will be a craft fair on the Village Green with vendors selling a variety of handcrafted items. Admission to the classic car exhibit is $10 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. All proceeds benefit the Hamlin Memorial Library & Museum.This is a rain or shine event!
July 21 -23 Yarmouth Clam Festival – Yarmouth
One of Maine’s most popular summer events in mid-July, the Yarmouth Clam Festival is an annual three-day event, always starting on the third Friday of the month.
Festivities include the Friday night parade, Saturday night fireworks, Clam Shucking contests, a clam cook-off, clam cooking demos, Firefighters’ Muster, and over 150 craftspeople, artists, and photographers displaying and selling their work. Plus, performances by notable musicians and entertainers.
August 18-20 Great Falls Balloon Festival – Lewiston-Auburn
This is one of the largest hot air balloon festivals in Northern New England. Over 100,000 visitors and 30 to 40 balloons launch from the banks of the beautiful Androscoggin River, with a backdrop of the rocky Great Falls.
The balloon festival features food booths, craft and trade stalls, a children’s area, and music from blues singers to jazz, pop, and oldies. A carnival and parade cap off the Balloon weekend.
September 16 Poland Heritage Day – Poland Spring
14th annual Heritage day at Poland Spring. The Poland Spring Heritage Day celebration is held each year on the grounds of Poland Spring Resort. Visitors are invited to come and enjoy special activities for children such as games, face painting, and bounce houses, as well as craft vendors, live music, and an assortment of food from local vendors.Many local non-profits and vendors will be on site with booths and displays, illustrating the vibrant Poland community and celebrating the important role the town and its businesses, has played in Maine’s history.Please join us rain or shine on September 16th from 10AM-3PM on the grounds of the Poland Spring Resort!
September 23 -24 15th Anniversary Dempsey Challenge – Lewiston
Actor Patrick Dempsey’s (“Grey’s Anatomy”) annual Cancer Fundraiser is a walk/run/bike ride from Lewiston/Auburn through Maine’s lakes and mountains by over a thousand participants. “Dr. McDreamy” now owns a home in Kennebunkport Maine.
September 13-16 Oxford Fair – Oxford
Smaller country fair but close by with great entertainment in the evening
September 24 – 30 Cumberland Fair – Cumberland
Mainers love this fair because it’s great fun for the whole family and a great way to get in touch with Maine’s rich agricultural roots. It has everything you want in a county fair from rides to yummy fair food to a petting zoo and so much more.The fair schedule is jam-packed with events including the Pumpkin and Squash Weigh Off, harness racing, various live concerts, and a demolition derby.Explore the Mid-Way to play carnival games and ride the carousel, or visit the Farm Museum to educate yourself on Maine’s agricultural history. There’s also a sugar house where you can try and buy local maple goods. You can even camp onsite.So bring the whole family and be prepared to have fun. There’s something for everyone here and you’re guaranteed to have a good time.
October 1 – 8 Fryeburg Fair – Fryeburg
Since 1851, local farmers show off their produce, cattle, and wares. From late September to early October, Fryeburg Fair is Maine’s largest agricultural fair complete with a week of harness racing, a farm museum, the world’s largest steer and oxen show, and a carnival of rides, games, and fair food.
A beautiful setting in prime foliage time, Maine’s largest fair includes an exhibition hall, a farm museum, craft demonstrations, and nightly big-name concerts.