Maine’s 2023 July Update

July 5, 2023

James Beard Award to The Quarry Fine Dining in Monson

The 2023 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Hospitality was awarded to Marilou Ranta and her restaurant, The Quarry Fine Dining in Monson. Ranta, a native of Mindanao in the Philippines, opened The Quarry in 2018 and incorporates the flavors of Filipino cuisine to a fine dining menu. The Outstanding Hospitality category recognizes an establishment that “fosters a sense of hospitality among its customers and staff that serves as a beacon for the community and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations while contributing positively to its broader community.”

York Beach Surf Club

Located on the coast of southern Maine, the York Beach Surf Club has just opened. It’s a 52-room family-owned resort rooted in the history of northeast surfing culture. Founded in 1963 as an organization for local surfers by York’s Sonny Perkins, a surfer who was pivotal in the East Coast surfing culture, the property was purchased by his son Taylor in 2020. Restored and remodeled, the York Beach Surf Club features 52 new guest rooms and bungalows, a heated saltwater pool and a pool bar. The property will feature on-site surf lessons with a private instructor. A full-service restaurant will debut later in the summer.

The Norumbega Reopens

After nearly eight months of renovations and re-design, one of coastal Maine’s landmark properties, The Norumbega has reopened. The 136-year-old property’s 11 unique guest rooms, suites, common areas, kitchen, and dining rooms have been reimagined by the new stewards of the historic landmark, Will Tims and Brett Haynie. The Norumbega’s eye-catching historical details have been preserved, including the original wooden millwork, many fireplaces, a distinctive turret, a glass-enclosed front porch, original leaded glass windows, a large entry hall featuring coffered oak ceilings, richly wood-paneled walls, inlaid wood flooring, carved banisters, fireplace details, and curved walls of windows. Also notable is that The Norumbega will now be open year-round.

Maine Open Farm Day

Maine Open Farm Day is July 23 this year, a Sunday when close to 100 farms across the state will be welcoming visitors. It’s an opportunity to observe farm life up close and to learn about agritourism, fiber crafts, horticulture, livestock, and produce. The event is free and sponsored by Real Maine, a program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, which connects people with Maine farmers and food producers.

Maine’s Agricultural Fairs

Maine’s agricultural fairs are the purest expression of the agricultural traditions and lifestyles.  Two dozen of them are found around the state, and each one promises a family-oriented outing. Hallmarks of these classic county fairs are team-pulling, 4H awards and the ever-popular pig scramble. The larger ones offer arcades and classic carnival rides. Sheepdog trials and tractor pulling can also be found. The fairs range from small, down-home events like the Waterford World’s Fair from July 14-16 and the Acton Fair from August 24-27. Larger fairs include the Skowhegan State Fair from August 10-19, The Fryeburg Fair, which runs from October 1-8 and The Common Ground Country Fair, from September 22-24 in Unity. The latter is affiliated with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

The Maine Art Museum Trail

The Maine Art Museum Trail offers an art-guided journey throughout the state. The trail links nine outstanding Maine museums: Abbe Museum, Bates College Museum of Art, Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Colby College Museum of Art, Farnsworth Art Museum, Monhegan Museum of Art & History, Ogunquit Museum of American Art, Portland Museum of Art and the Zillman Museum of Art. These collecting art museums house more than 80,000 works of art, from ancient artifacts and world-famous masterpieces, to contemporary Maine artists and unique, awe-inspiring installations. Together they offer an impressive diversity of artists, subjects, and media.

Whale Watching & Nature Cruises

Maine whale watching season runs through October, an incredible chance to spot humpback whales, pilot whales, minke whales, and finback whales. Other whales, such as sei whales, sperm whales, orcas and right whales, can occasionally be spotted. Seals and dolphins are also regularly spotted. Bar Harbor Whale Watch, Cap’n Fish’s Whale Watch, Odyssey Whale Watch and First Chance Whale Watch are among the tour operators who run regularly scheduled trips out to see them. Go to Visit Maine for details. There are also many nature cruises along the coast, from Acadian Nature Cruise to Hardy Boat Cruises and Bass Harbor Cruises, many of them in the vicinity of Acadia National Park. Visit Maine has details.

Maine Cheese Festival

The Maine Cheese Festival returns on September 10 in Pittsfield. Sponsored by The Maine Cheese Guild, it’s an invitation to discover Maine’s best handmade products and meet the creators. There will be sessions at 9 am and 3 pm. Both will feature live music, vendor booths, food trucks and education sessions. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Visit The Maine Cheese Festival.