WILD BLUEBERRY LEGISLATIVE TOUR
Organized and Hosted by the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine
Maine state policymakers, JOIN US as we visit wild blueberry farms and businesses across Maine during peak harvest season to learn first-hand what it takes to be a member of Maine’s iconic and economically vital wild blueberry industry. This year’s tour will feature two tours of wild blueberry processing facilities, a screening of the Growing Wild documentary, a scenic walk through a wild blueberry field, a taste of Maine’s 5th annual Wild Blueberry Weekend, and many opportunities to meet the producers that steward and harvest Maine’s healthiest food – the Maine wild blueberry! Room, board, and transportation from, and back to Bangor is provided.
Day 1 (Friday, August 1st):
Two guided tours of wild blueberry processing facilities (Merrill Blueberry Farms in Hancock and W.R. Allen's Wild Maine Blueberries in Orland). Enjoy a screening of the short film, Growing Wild, followed by a panel discussion.
Day 2 (Saturday, August 2nd):
We will visit two small wild blueberry farms participating in our 5th annual Wild Blueberry Weekend!
(TENTATIVE) ITINERARY:
(DAY 1) AUGUST 1
8:45 am MEET (9 am departure) AT HOLLYWOOD CASINO HOTEL BANGOR
Personal vehicles can be left on the 3rd floor of the hotel parking garage. Do NOT use ‘Casino’ marked lot parking, follow signs inside parking garage to go to the ‘Hotel and Banquet’ 3rd floor lots.
500 Main Street, Bangor
10:00 am MERRILL BLUEBERRY FARMS TOUR
63 Thorsen Rd, Hancock
12:00 pm LUNCH AT SCENIC WILD BLUEBERRY OVERLOOK
Morningside Lane, Orland
2:00 pm WR ALLENS WILD MAINE BLUEBERRIES TOUR
267 Front Ridge Rd, Orland
4:30 pm HOTEL URSA CHECK IN
1 Moosehead Rd, Orono
5:30 pm DINNER EVENTS, GROWING WILD SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION
University of Maine (on the mall), Orono
DAY 2 (AUGUST 2)
7:00 – 8:30 am BREAKFAST AT GOVERNOR’S RESTAURANT
963 Stillwater Ave, Old Town
9:30 AM BLUE HILL BERRY COMPANY
104 Front Ridge Road, Penobscot
12:00 pm LUNCH AT BRODIS BLUEBERRIES
87 Jones Hill Road, Hope, located off of State Route 235, NOT Appleton Jones Hill Road
1:00 pm BRODIS BLUEBERRIES
3:00 pm DEPART
4:15 pm ARRIVE AT HOLLYWOOD CASINO HOTEL IN BANGOR
Personal vehicles can be picked up from the hotel parking garage.
500 Main Street, Bangor
Questions? Give us a call (207) 581-3496 or email at wbcm@maine.edu.