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The University of Maine at Fort Kent and the Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce will combine forces for their respective Homecoming and Scarecrow Festival celebrations for the weekend of September 15th, 16th, and 17th in Fort Kent.

The three, fun-filled days will feature many events, including soccer and volleyball games,  pep rally, BBQ, and the popular Homecoming/Scarecrow Festival parade.

In preparation of the upcoming festivities, area businesses are encouraged to decorate their business with a “Scarecrow go to the Movies” theme in the front of their building.  Your imagination is the only limitation!  The more color in town, the better. Businesses may join the decorating contest by contacting the Chamber office at 834-5354 for an application and return it to the office by September 13th before 3 p.m.  Judging will be done by a panel of three and points will be based on the following: spirit, creativity, color scheme, theme, and dress.  Judging will take place on Friday, September 15.

A coloring contest has been planned for children ages seven and younger. You may download your coloring sheet at www.fortkentchamber.com  or pick one up at Paradis Shop ‘n Save in Fort Kent. Deadline for submission has been extended to September 14th. Drop your entry at the Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce office, located at 291 West Main Street or by mail.

The Chamber encourages businesses to hold side-walk sales and vendors throughout downtown. All vendors need to contact the landowners or business owners before setting up.

Friday, September 15

The 6th annual “Chalk It Up” event, which is sponsored by the Hope & Justice Project, will be held from 10 a.m. to Noon in the Sears’ parking lot.

The local ukuele band, River Ukes, will be busking from 10 a.m. to Noon in downtown Fort Kent.

The UMFK Homecoming kick-off will begin at 4:30 p.m., with a welcome BBQ and pep rally. Meet our nationally-ranked sports teams.  The BBQ is $10.00 per person. The BBQ and pep rally is open to the public.  UMFK will sponsor free wagon rides by John and Ann Babin, from St. Agatha, and owner of Flat Mountain Horse Ranch. The wagon rides will begin on the UMFK campus, located near the Nowland Hall parking lot area. The rides will be offered until 7 p.m. 

An open reception will be held at 6 p.m.to meet local sculptor and mixed media artist Michelle Richardson’s work entitled “Creatures with Wings and Other Strange Spirits” at the UMFK Blake Library. The exhibit will be on display through Friday, September 29. For more information on viewing hours, please contact Gallery Curator Sofia Birden at 834-7527. 

Also at 6 p.m. a traditional Acadian Kitchen Party will be held at the Fort Kent Senior center. Come join a night of live music by local talents and a taste of apple cake. Admission to the event is $5 for the general public and children 12 under may attend free.  The event is co-sponsored by the UMFK Alumni Association.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the UMFK Student Activities will host performances by Emily Earle and Nicole Nelson at the UMFK Fox Auditorium.  Emily Earle’s singing is a mix of heartfelt lyrics and contagious melodies - falling somewhere between early Miranda Lambert, classic Sheryl Crow, and unmistakable Linda Ronstadt.  Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, Nicole Nelson brings a soulful rock explosion to the stage. Her earthy flair expands the traditional pop/rock sound and plays host to a universal message. “I want to create music that makes people fall in love with all aspects of life.”  Admission at the door is $5.00 per person. UMFK students may attend free with a valid ID. 

After the performance, there will be a social hour in the Bengal’s Lair.

Beginning at 9 p.m. at the UMFK’s Crocker Beach area, the brothers of Rho and the sisters of Kappa Rho have planned a bonfire. They look forward to reconnecting with alumni, new and old. Spouses and significant others may attend all events, with exception to the alumni meetings.

Saturday, September 16

The day begins with a Kappa Delta Phi and Kappa Delta Phi NAS Breakfast at Rock’s Diner at 8 a.m. What a great time to meet members and get reacquainted with alumni.

Back on campus, the UMFK Partners for International Relief will host the 2nd Annual Jim Grandmaison Bike Tour, to begin at the UMFK Blake Library parking area. 

Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the ride starts at 10 a.m. The bike tour is designed for 16-mile or 33-mile ride on the beautiful scenic ride to Soldier Pond and along the shore of Eagle Lake.  The cost of the bike tour is UMFK students: $10.00; Adults: $35.00; school age students: $10.00; and family rate: $100.00. Riders should wear blue and must wear a helmet.

Pre-registration is recommended. Visit: https://athletics.umfk.edu/biketour-pir/

For more information, contact the following individuals: Jeff Dubis at 834-7543 or jdubis@maine.edu and Duane Belanger: 207-231-1932 or duane.belanger@maine.edu

The proceeds from the bike tour will benefit the mission of UMFK Partners for International Relief (PIR) in supporting students and their work in bringing humanitarian aid to some of the most impoverished areas of the world. 

The UMFK Bengal Women’s Volleyball Team will go up against Husson at 10 a.m. and 12 noon in the Sports Center.

Brunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at UMFK’s Nowland Hall for a cost of $7.80 plus tax.  For group reservations, please contact Sterling Hartin at 834-7545.

The annual UMFK Homecoming/Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce Parade will start off at 11 a.m. from the Court House on Market Street to East and West Main Streets up to Pleasant Street to the UMFK President’s residence, Acadia House, where plaques will be presented. 

The parade line-up will be at the Fort Kent Courthouse from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. Plaques will be awarded in several categories, including the most creative, best musical, best non-profit, best business entry, judges’ choice, best theme: “Scarecrows Go To The Movies,” and best UMFK entry,

It is not too late to sign-up for the parade, call UMFK at 834-7557. Deadline is Friday, September 8th.  Please note that the parade will not go through downtown Fort Kent. 

Bouchard Farms will host kid friendly harvest activities at the Bouchard Country Store from noon to 3 p.m.  Activities include pumpkin painting, wagon rides, a pumpkin hunt, and more. The cost is $5 per child.  Kids 12 and under, who dress as a scarecrow receive a free ice cream cone.

At 1 p.m., the national champion Lady Bengals’ soccer team will take on Fisher College on the Alumni Memorial Field. The national champion Bengal men’s will take on Fisher College at 3 p.m. GO BENGALS!!!! 

Kappa Delta Phi and Kappa Delta Phi NAS will hold its alumni meeting at 2 p.m.  Everyone will meet in the Bengal’s Lair, located in Cyr Hall.

During the evening, UMFK and the Alumni Association will host the Alumni & Friends Rendezvous at 6 p.m. in UMFK’s Nadeau Hall.  Enjoy an evening of mingling with friends and catching up with classmates.  The Rendezvous will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar featuring fine wine, micro-brewed beers, and signature cocktails.  The event is open to the campus community.  Tickets are priced at $30 per person. Purchase your ticket today though the UMFK Alumni Affairs office, located at the Madawaska House on Pleasant Street, or reserve your ticket by calling 834-7557.

The Alumni Association will bestow honors on Outstanding Alumni Award recipient Bernard A. Paradis, alumnus from the class of 1967. 

Ben Paradis is no stranger to UMFK and the community; his professional career in education has lasted more than fifty years. He has distinguished himself by volunteering on many professional and civic organizations with great sacrifice and dedication.  This year marks the 50th year of the class of 1967 and this is quite an honor for Ben Paradis. He continues to be an advocate for the youth and distinguished in representing his alma mater.

Get your groove all night long with Mobile DJ from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Bee Jay’s Tavern. No cover charge.

Sunday, September 17

Brunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at UMFK’s Nowland Hall for a cost of $7.80 plus tax. For group reservations, please contact Sterling Hartin at 834-7545.

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the Fort Kent Senior Center will host an autumn luncheon. The meal is open to the public. The menu will include baked ham and all the fixings. The cost of meal is $8 per person. Please call 834-3844 for more information. 

In the town of Eagle Lake, on Convent Road, the Eagle Lake Fire Department will host a Hill and Hole Mud Bog. Registration is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and the race start is at Noon.  All classes accepted from street to diesel (no skimmers). Admission: ages 13 and older: $10; ages 7 to 12: $5; and 6 and younger: free admission.

A family movie has been planned at the Century Theatre.  The animated movie being featured is “The Scarecrow.”  The movie will begin at 12:30 p.m. and admission is free; however, donations will be accepted and proceeds will go to the Fort Kent Elementary School playground fund.

The Fort Kent Senior Club will host a dance by The Dynamics from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Fort Kent Senior Center. Admission is $5 per person.

To view an updated schedule of the Homecoming and Scarecrow Festival weekend events, please go to: https://www.umfk.edu/alumni/homecoming/ or www.fortkentchamber.com/scarecrow-festival.html [link no longer active]

For further information about UMFK’s Homecoming events, contact Susan Tardie in the Alumni Affairs office at 834-7557 or by e-mail: susan.tardie@maine.edu

For further information about Scarecrow Festival events, contact the Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce office at 834-5354 or by e-mail: fortkentchamber@gmail.com