KINGFIELD – The town will celebrate its designation as Maine’s fourth Appalachian Trail Community on Sept. 10 in conjunction with the Kingfield Bicentennial Harvest Dinner Dance in The Barn at the Mountain Village Farm B&B.
Kingfield will join Monson, Millinocket, and Rangeley as Appalachian Trail Communities in Maine as they promote and protect the Appalachian Trail. The AT community program was established in 2011 for the purpose of enhancing economic development in communities along the trail. Benefits of becoming an AT community including strengthened partnerships through education, stewardship, media and marketing, and service to the trail and hikers.
Successful designation is a long process that concludes with this celebration. Lisa Standish, proprietor of Mountain Village Farm B and B, said that “the application process inspired broad community participation and cooperation, which has generated a great deal of support for and interest in the Appalachian Trail. The designation puts Kingfield on the right map.”
The celebration will begin at 4 p.m. with a potluck BBQ at 5 p.m.. The designation ceremony starts at 6 p.m. with Maine Senator Tom Saviello serving as Master of Ceremonies. Hawk Metheny, AT Conservancy New England Regional Director, will welcome Kingfield into the AT Community Program, and chairman of the Kingfield Board of Selectmen, Wade Brown, will welcome guests. Invited speakers include Lester Kenway – President, Maine Appalachian Trail Club, Simon Rucker – Chairman Appalachian Land Trust, and United States Senator Angus King.
At 7 p.m. the celebration will continue with live music, dancing, a “toast to our town” a cider pressing, and judging of the beard growing contest. The event is free and all ages are welcome.
