Forest Heritage Days 2024: A Celebration of Maine’s Rich Forestry Legacy
GREENVILLE — Forest Heritage Days, an annual event that celebrates the rich forestry heritage of the Northwoods of Maine, is excited to announce its schedule of events for 2024. The event will take place from Thursday, Aug. 8 to Saturday, Aug. 10.
Thursday, Aug 8: The event kicks off with a Guided Forestry Bus Tour from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This captivating journey will take participants from Greenville to the northern town of Jackman, home to the renowned Moose River Lumber Mill. The tour includes stops at an active forest operation and a wildlife conservation area. The cost is $55 per person, which includes lunch.
Also on Thursday, the Maine Forest Service will facilitate a logger training course from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More details will be announced soon.
The day concludes with a panel discussion headlined by U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine from 7-9 p.m. The discussion will focus on a pivotal conservation transaction that occurred 25 years ago, which catalyzed the preservation of several expansive tracts of land in the Moosehead Lake region.
Friday, Aug. 9: Events begin with another guided forestry bus tour from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This tour will take participants back in time to the historic Katahdin Iron Works. The cost is $55 per person, which includes lunch.
From 9:30 a.m. to noon local talents Pat Huckins and Peggy Phillips will teach Backpack Weaving 101.
In the afternoon, acclaimed children’s author Mary Morton Cowan will host “Tree Tales and Forest Fun” from 2-4 p.m. This event is free of charge.
The day concludes with a Masonic Bean Hole Bean Woodsman’s Dinner from 5:30-7 p.m, followed by “Timber Tales – Unearthing the Chronicles of Maine’s Logging Legacy” with author Mary Morton Cowan from 7-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 10: Events begin with the American Legion Lumbermen’s Breakfast from 7-10 a.m.
At 8:30 a.m. Bryan Wentzell, executive director of Exemplary Forestry Management, will give a talk and tour on the Scammon Ridge Headwaters Project.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the ever popular Forest Heritage Days event will feature Colby College Woodsmen demonstrations, forestry, wildlife, and recreation exhibitors, forestry equipment, activities for the entire family, chainsaw carving demonstrations, free horse and carriage rides, food vendors, and more!
The day concludes with an R&B dance cruise on the Historic Steamboat Katahdin from 6-9 p.m., and a presentation by local author Tommy Carbone on “David Stone Libbey – Penobscot Lumberman, River Driver, Civil War Soldier and Writer” from 6:30-8 p.m.
For more information, please visit www.forestheritagedaysmaine.org or contact Luke Muzzy, executive director of the Moosehead Historical Society, at 207-695-2909 or Luke.muzzy@mooseheadhistory.org.
Forest Heritage Days is an annual event in Greenville that celebrates the state’s rich forestry heritage. The event features a variety of activities and presentations designed to educate and entertain attendees about the history and future of Maine’s forestry industry.