Cumberland County offers Final Week to see Radient Peak Foliage Season

(October 16, 2013, AUGUSTA, MAINE) –  The Maine foliage season is coming to a close this week with a beautiful swash of color throughout the southern part of the state in Cumberland County, which reports peak conditions and moderate leaf drop of less than 50% in Zone 1. Other parts of the state are now past peak with high or near total leaf drop according to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry.
Visitors can enjoy the last days of the foliage season in the state parks of Cumberland County including Bradbury Mountain State Park, Sebago Lake State Park and Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, among others located in Zone 1.

“We have had a fantastic foliage season throughout Maine this year and there is still time to view the tapestry of color in the southern part of the state around Ogunquit and York,” said Gale Ross of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry.

Leaf peepers viewing the last days of the fall foliage season will find other activities to enjoy including:

·      York Maine Harvestfest, which takes place this weekend, October 19th and 20th.  Along with a juried craft fair and food vendors, the Harvestfest offers kids face painting, crafts, pony rides, pumpkin carving, and storytelling with Shawn Middleton. Featuring all day entertainment and marketplace vendors from all over New England, the Harvestfest is held rain or shine. www.gatewaytomaine.org/harvestfest.

·      The Trail of Terror in Eliot, Maine at the Raitt Farm Museum with Haunt Nights on October 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th from dusk to 10:00 p.m. Board the Tractor Drawn Wagon Ride down to the haunted walking trail and enjoy plenty of ghoulish treats and a warm bonfire. www.raittfarmmuseum.org

·      The Sixth Annual Harvest on the Harbor, Maine’s premier food and wine festival, takes place in Portland from October 23 – 26th.  Event features food, wine and spirits tastings, award-winning chefs, epicurean presentations and live entertainment on Portland’s waterfront.  See more at: http://www.harvestontheharbor.com

·      The Annual OgunquitFest, which will be held from October 25th through 27th beginning Friday evening with a Monster Mash at the Dunaway Center on School Street. Come in costume for dancing music, refreshments and fun. There is an autumn bazaar, antique and classic car show, wine tasting and ghostly tours through the Ogunquit Heritage Museum.  At the Leavitt Theater, the silent movie “Nosferatu,” the original 1922 film adaption of “Dracula,” will be shown at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday.  It all ends on Sunday with the Costume Parade beginning at 11:00 a.m. from Ogunquit Square to Main Beach. www.visitogunquit.org.

For a full list of festivals go to http://www.visitmaine.com/search/new/event/.

Maine’s official foliage website www.mainefoliage.com provides weekly reports by e-mail and an opportunity to share photos of favorite spots in Maine to watch the leaves change color.