Preparations underway for 15th Maine Whoopie Pie Festival
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Maine Whoopie Pie Festival is Piscataquis County’s largest one-day annual event. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, visitors can sample and vote on whoopie pies from a record number of bakers from around New England, peruse the wares of more than 100 crafters and vendors, and check out other fun food, music, games, and family activities in downtown Dover-Foxcroft.
The festival has seen a great response from bakers this year, according to Patrick Myers, executive director of the Center Theatre and one of the event organizers.
WHOOPIE PIE FESTIVAL — The 15th annual Maine Whoopie Pie Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday June 22, in downtown Dover-Foxcroft. A full schedule of events may be viewed at mainewhoopiepiefestival.com.
“At this point we have 23 bakers signed up to attend the festival,” he said. “That’s an all-time high. In year’s past there haven’t been enough whoopie pies near the end of the festival, but that shouldn’t be a problem in 2024!”
Myers also said there are several new events and activities this year.
“For the first time, Limitless Wrestling will be at the festival with live professional wrestling. There’s no additional charge for the event, either! The Maine Whoopie Pie Festival will also have bounce houses, games for the kids, whoopie pie eating contests, and lots more.”
Myers reports that the downtown will be less crowded this year because the festival has opened up a new area as a food court.
“Just off downtown there will be an area set aside for food trucks and seating. It should relieve a lot of congestion and make it easier to get around,” he said.
As usual, people attending the festival are encouraged to follow the yellow signs to park at the Piscataquis County Fairgrounds. At the fairgrounds, visitors will be able to catch one of two shuttle buses running constantly between the fairgrounds and downtown.
“As you can imagine, when there’s 7,000 people in town there’s really no place to park,” said Myers. “Parking at the fairgrounds is the best, quickest, easiest option for folks.”
Myers said they are also selling a limited number of VIP parking passes and Fast Passes for the entrance gates at mainewhoopiepiefestival.com. The festival website also offers a full schedule of Maine Whoopie Pie Festival events and activities. Or call the Center Theatre, 207-564-8943.
The festival is the largest annual fundraiser for the Center Theatre, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to make arts, education and entertainment accessible to our rural communities to engage and inspire.