August 20, 2009
the fat of the duck…
Looking for a new and exciting place to eat while in the Old Port? Come over to the East End and have some critically acclaimed “great homemade food, with a friendly and fun atmosphere” at Duck Fat (43 Middle Street, Portland).
This casual yet stylish restaurant fry their Belgian Fries in duck fat (hence the name) and provide numerous dipping sauces for them including, but not limited to, thai chili mayo, garlic aioli, and truffle ketchup; it is a whole different experience from just ordering some french fries and ketchup from a local fast-food joint!
Along with their famous fries, Duck Fat also provides a full menu of both exciting and comforting cuisine, with most entrees costing less than ten dollars. They even have homemade sodas and lemonade to quench your thirst on a hot summer day, along with “five dollar milkshakes” which are only four dollars and made from Smiling Hill Farm ice cream!
If you are having a business banquet, Duck Fat is happy to serve you and your party – there is even free delivery for orders over $100. To place an order, or if you have any questions, give them a call at (207) 774-8080. They are open every day, Monday-Saturday 11am – 9pm and Sunday 11am – 5pm.
Family fun at the Fryeburg Fair
Do you love animals, good food, and spending quality time with family? Fryeburg Fair is the place to go. It occurs from October 4th to October 11th. It’s Maine’s largest eight day agricultural fair. It has attractions for the whole family. The skillet throw for moms, woodsman’s day for dad, and petting zoo, clowns, magicians, and jugglers for children. There are also tons of carnival rides that are a blast.
There are over 4,000 animals including horse and ox pulling, horse and pony shows, four pig scrambles, and a calf scramble for the little ones.
The skillet throw takes place on Mondays. It’s always an event full of laughter. More than eighty women competed last year. Monday is also Woodsmans day. It’s one of the largest competitions. There are events such as bucksawing, chainsawing, and spring board chop. Skidders and Hydraulic loaders are used as well.
If you love camping you will love this place. You can actually camp out right on site. It’s $24 for a regular camper and $29 for a slider camper. This includes power and water. A reservation can be made, but it has to be for a minimum of two nights.
Admission: Mon-Fri & Sun 8$ and Sat 10$. Children under 12 are always free. For people 65 and older there is no charge on Tuesdays.
Hours: Gates open at 7 am, but the buildings don’t open until 9. It is located in Fryeburg, Maine.
August 18, 2009
A Walk in Bug Light
In South Portland, Maine there is a walking trail that hugs the shoreline and the beautiful coast of southern Maine. The complete trail is a total of six miles and while you travel down it, you are likely to run into joggers, runners, people walking dogs, and families hand in hand. Along the trail there are houses snug in their backyard gardens, trees that canopy over you as you walk, paths near the water, and fields of green, lush grass that is perfect for a picnic and a rest stop. You don’t need to go the entire six miles either, you can turn around and just walk back the way you came if you want!
Bug Light Park is a good way to get a cool breeze off of the water during this stretch of hot weather that we are having and in the fall, it is a beautiful and delightful way to witness the leaves changing color.
And if you are in the area, you should come into Festiva Resorts Portland location for some free gifts as a thank you for sitting through one of our 90 minute presentations!!! You might get a dinner certificate that would be perfect to use after walking on the trail to take your family out to eat with!
August 17, 2009
up, up, and away!
This weekend, head up to the Lewiston-Auburn area for the 17th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival! The festival will be running August 21, 22, and 23 with launches scheduled at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. (weather permitting) at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston and Festival Plaza in Auburn. In the evening on Friday and Saturday, prepare for Moon Glows – hot air balloons tethered and lit up with propane.
This year, there will be approximately 30 hot air balloons, plus two special guest balloons, Wally and Sushi. Wally hails from Wausau, Wisconsin, though he was originally built all the way in Brazil. Sushi, with a tail measuring 36 feet tall and lips spanning 13.5 feet across, lives primarily on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.
You can even purchase tickets and actually go up for a balloon ride! But, if ballooning isn’t your forte, the festival offers activities for everyone. There will be carnival rides, a kid’s area, games, arts & crafts, and two stages of entertainment. When hunger strikes, check out one (or more!) of the 30 food-booths staffed by local non-profit groups. Or, if you’re really hungry, sign up to partake in the 3rd annual pizza-eating contest on Saturday from 12:40-1:10, or the clam eating contest on Sunday from 11:30-12:00.
And make sure not to miss the parade on Saturday morning! This year’s parade theme “World of Water” was designed by 10 year old Amanda Alberda from Lewiston. This year’s parade will feature our theme designer as the Grand Marshall along with various mascots, themed floats, local bands, balloon pilots and crews, and many other exciting attractions.
While at the festival, keep an eye out for Festiva Adventure Club‘s display to enter for a chance to win one of our amazing grand prizes!
August 16, 2009
Apples and Blueberries Galore!!!
If there is one upside to living in or near the country, it is the fact that when a certain season strikes, you get to pick your own fruit to take home and eat. Nothing is more delicious than local fruit, picking it yourself, and either eating it whole, or preparing it to be made into a pie or some jelly.
If you venture up to Limerick, Maine you should stop by Libby and Son U-Pick to see beautiful fields upon fields of apples and high bush blue berries. You can even watch blueberry donuts being made! After a day of picking fruit, you can relax with some coffee, free wi-fi, and some freshly made hot donuts! Take your whole family on a blueberry and apple picking adventure that they will never forget!
August 15, 2009
Sushi in Maine
Sushi is a Japanese entree that many people find delicious. But isn’t sushi even better when you know where the seafood is coming from? How about when you know that it is coming right from your own shoreline? At Fuji, a sushi restaurant in downtown Portland, they use Maine lobster, calamari, shrimp, and scallops in their sushi rolls.
Upon walking into the dining area, you are given three choices for where you want to eat. You can dine at the sushi bar and watch food be prepared in front of you, you can dine downstairs with the hibachi grill, or you can eat in the main area with the choice of sitting cross legged on cushions or at a table.
Come see what Maine’s ocean has to offer you and so much more at Fuji. Devour some pork dumplings, green tea ice cream, or an alligator roll. Whatever you get, you won’t be disappointed!
August 12, 2009
Seeing Stars
Yesterday and today are the couple of days that you can see the Perseid meteor shower across North America. You will be able to see a shooting star every couple of minutes if you are outside between midnight and 5 a.m. In Maine, the weather is just right to bundle up with you and your family to do some star gazing around a fire on on top of a hill. The best places are as far away as you can get from the city lights.
The Perseids Meteor shower is a beautiful sight to behold and could be a fantastic experience for you and your kids! The weather is perfect in Maine for star gazing as the air is not too humid but is still comfortable during the night. Enjoy what Maine has to offer!!
August 11, 2009
Eat Out and Throw Your Food
Why shouldn’t you be able to go to a restaurant and be able to throw stuff on the ground without getting kicked out? At the Texas Roadhouse in Scarborough, Maine you are given unlimited peanuts to start your lunch or dinner off and you are more than welcome to chuck the shells onto the floor when you are through with them.
And the prices are well in a decent range! You can get anything from hand cut steaks, to chicken fingers, to ribs. There is even a special menu for the children and if you are going to dinner with someone on their birthday, feel free to let the waitstaff know so they can make your friend saddle up on a fake horse!
Come into the roadhouse to toss some food on the ground, to eat some delicious steak, and to embarrass you friends on their birthdays!!
August 9, 2009
Golfing with the Pirates
Have you ever considered golfing with pirates? Well you can if you venture over to the Pirate’s Cove in Old Orchard, Maine. You can play miniature golf in the setting of a pirate wonderland. Imagine putting inside of caves, under footfalls, around sunken pirate ships, and under a waterfall. The possibilities are endless for what each hole has to offer you!
The atmosphere is relaxing and carefree at night with everything lit up and families enjoying themselves in the summer evenings. And while you are down in the area of Old Orchard Beach putting with you family or friends, you can head down to the pier to enjoy hot dogs, fried dough, drinks galore, and the fun-filled rides that are scattered every where! For a night full of action, head down to the Pirate’s Cove and then spend the rest of the evening along the shoreline of Old Orchard.
Playing With the Sea Dogs
A beautiful summer day can be passed with you and your family at Hadlock Field in Portland. Whether its during the day or the night, you can enjoy gigantic chocolate chip cookies filled with vanilla ice cream or some pizza and hot dogs. At night you might be able to enjoy some fireworks and an appearance by Slugger the Sea Dog.
A baseball game is a great way to keep your family entertained with the endless action that takes place. You can go to celebrate a birthday, a special occasion, or just to be with your loved ones. Come join the last couple of weeks of the Portland Sea Dogs‘ 2009 season!
