Belief that Star City has nothing to do is untrue

Let’s de-bunk a common belief. Do you have your de-bunking hat on? Good. Let’s go.
The belief that needs to be torn apart is the one that says there’s nothing to do in Presque Isle. It’s hard to believe that some people feel that way! It’s not even close to being the truth!
     We all know there’s a lot to do if you love the outdoors. If you live in Presque Isle, you have access to many outside activities. You’re close to excellent downhill and cross-country ski areas, as well as both indoor and outdoor skating rinks. We have some of the most well-groomed snowmobile trails in the state, as well. The Nordic Heritage Center, which is close by, provides not only skiing opportunities to participate in and competitions to watch, but biking trails for intrepid mountain bikers. Of course, there are always opportunities for snowshoeing and winter hiking in the area.
Summer in Presque Isle provides an abundance of prospects for outside activities, as well. We’re close to many lakes that are perfect for swimming, boating, water skiing, water boarding, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and canoeing, to mention a few activities. Or, if you don’t want to do any of those things, you can use the beaches for sunning or sitting and reading a good book as the water peacefully laps at the shore. The woods provide excellent hiking and camping venues, too. There’s nothing like the smell of evergreens or the excitement of coming upon a wild deer shyly studying at you as you walk through the woods of northern Maine.
For those who are not outdoor enthusiasts, there is a myriad of activities to keep you busy. Hiking the sidewalks of Main Street or the halls at the mall while searching for the ultimate sale provides an exciting adventure. There are many classes that you can take through Northern Maine Community College, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, or the adult education department of SAD 1. The Presque Isle Recreation Center provides a variety of programs for the youth of the area. The Wintergreen Art Center provides opportunities for children and adults alike to learn visual and performing arts. There is a wide variety of service clubs, professional organizations, and church groups to choose from. If you want material to read, Presque Isle has a wonderful library. Evening entertainment is provided by high school and college groups, as well as by the Community Players. And concerts by well-known groups are performed at the new middle school. There are three gymnasiums in town to help you stay strong and healthy.
There are many fun community activities, as well. The fair comes to Presque Isle in August of each year, providing fun and entertainment for adults and children alike. During this time, it’s fun to see the artwork and crafts that are displayed in the exhibition buildings. There are performances by nationally-recognized personalities, as well as by local stars. Horse racing is at its height, and rides, games, and food abound. We also host the Balloon Festival in the fall, with many gorgeous balloons carrying people over the countryside as if in a dream. We have the Memorial Day parades in the summer and the Light Parade in December. And we are close to other communities that have a variety of parades and celebrations throughout the year.
Well, you’ve done a great job at de-bunking the myth that there’s nothing to do in Presque Isle. So, next time someone asks you what there is to do around here, you are well-prepared to give them lots of choices.
Let’s help people who aren’t familiar with these opportunities discover all there is to do in the area. The Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee is working hard to help re-energize our Main Street. Let’s promote our downtown area to others and help people understand what a wonderful, active place we live in.
Please write us with your thoughts and opinions. It’s your city and we need your input. You can write us at: The Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee, 411 Main St., Presque Isle, ME 04769, or you can email us at pidrc@yahoo.com.
The Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee is an ad hoc committee of the Presque Isle City Council