A large portion of the northern half of Maine will be in the path of totality for the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8. Sky gazers in that part of Maine will be able to see the moon completely eclipse the sun – a rare celestial event.
For visitors flocking to our great state for the eclipse, we have some suggestions from our Aroostook County members to make your trip a Real Maine experience.
The time of the eclipse overlaps with maple syrup season. Sugarhouses from around the state will be boiling sap and making the “official sweetener of Maine.” There is nothing quite like pure Maine maple syrup and the foods and products that are made with it as an ingredient. Real Maine maple syrup producers are a great starting place to add some local flavor to your visit.
VA JO WA Maple will be holding an eclipse pancake breakfast on April 8 from 7 to 9:30 am at The Slice restaurant in Island Falls – a tasty way to start the day. They will also be sponsoring an Eclipse Dance on April 6 at The Slice restaurant from 9 pm to 1 am and a nature photo exhibit at The Hook Lounge from 11 am to 1 pm on April 7.
The sugarhouse at Spring Break Maple in Smyrna Mills will be open on April 6,7, and 8 for tours and samples. They will also be offering old-fashioned maple ice cream and, on April 8, will have maple sugar-coated doughnuts. Spring Break Maple will also be selling a special “eclipse bottle” filled with pure Maine maple syrup.
Many Real Maine farms will be holding special events to mark the eclipse. At Gallifreyan Farm in Linneus, they are partnering with Southern Aroostook Action Sports to host ALPACALIPS 2024 on April 8, starting at noon. The farm shop will be open that day, and there will be a hot cocoa and tea bar and a limited quantity of viewing glasses. There may even be a felting class or two.
According to Gallifreyan Farm, “There is no way to make the eclipse more memorable than to spend it with alpacas and sheep, or be bitten by a large flightless bird, all while supporting a fantastic northern Maine small farm.”
Driving through Aroostook County, you will find many farm stands, like at Fitzpatrick-Peabody Farm in Houlton, open and selling produce and Maine-made foods and items, including Aroostook County-grown potatoes. Be sure to stop by.
There are a number of events and activities planned for eclipse visitors to The County. Other resources to plan your trip include:
- Aroostook County Tourism – visitaroostook.com
- Greater Houlton Chamber Of Commerce – www.greaterhoulton.com
- WHOU’s Calendar page – whoufm.com
Look to the Maine Office of Tourism website for more information on what eclipse visitors can expect. They are offering these safety tips:
- Stay on paved roads.
- If hiking, stay on clearly marked trails.
- Ask permission to access privately owned land.
- Be prepared for unpredictable weather.
- Be prepared for a high volume of traffic.
- Have an emergency kit in your vehicle.
- Do not rely on GPS in rural locations.
Real Maine is the state’s official agriculture and agritourism promotions program. When visiting for the eclipse, plan your agricultural experience with Real Maine. Visit www.RealMaine.com to connect to farms, food, and agriculture throughout Maine.
