MARS HILL, Maine — Even before Miranda Bragan graduated from the University of New England in May, she already knew she wanted to come home and help create memorable experiences for couples celebrating their new lives together.
A Presque Isle High School graduate, Bragan is now the owner of Legacy Ranch & Event Center, currently being built at 66 White Road in Mars Hill.
The 5,000-square-foot white barn will feature bridal and groom suites with private bathrooms, a full-service catering kitchen, ADA-compliant guest bathrooms, a lounge area and custom bar. The space is able to host at least 200 to 250 people.
Legacy Ranch & Event Center, located at 66 White Road, will consist of a 5,000-square-foot barn for indoor weddings and also will host outdoor weddings and events. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
Starting in August, Legacy Ranch will offer both indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies as well as six “glamping tents” for guests wishing to stay overnight. Legacy Ranch will become the second wedding and outdoor airbnb-style venue after Sunset Farm Weddings and Events in Houlton.
“We would like this to eventually become the destination place for weddings in Aroostook County,” Bragan said.
Though weddings will be the primary focus, Bragan plans to offer the space for corporate, community and school events. A graduate of UNE’s animal behavior program, Bragan also hopes to build a horse barn on the same 90-acre property that holds Legacy Ranch and eventually open an equestrian-based therapy practice.
The interior of Legacy Ranch & Event Center will feature bridal and groom suites, a full-service kitchen and other amenities. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
Legacy Ranch is planning a grand opening for August and has already booked at least a dozen wedding ceremonies, Bragan said. With outdoor and indoor COVID-19 restrictions lifting in Maine, she does not anticipate that spacing will become an issue for indoor weddings, though the ranch would be able to move ceremonies outdoors if necessary.
Though Bragan looked at other properties in Aroostook, she said that the land on White Road offered the most privacy and the most central location for people travelling from different areas in Aroostook. She hopes that over time more people from outside The County will want to hold large-scale weddings at the ranch.
“I’m excited to finally see everything come to life,” Bragan said. “When there are people here and we see that first couple make their entrance, this place is going to come alive.”
