Fiddleheads, spring crafts and Fun Run were among events at Fiddlehead Festival

11 months ago

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — It was a cloudy weekend that couldn’t keep people away from The County’s Fiddlehead Festival, along with the 14th annual Aroostook Fun Run.

The Wednesday Evening Fiddlers opened the Fiddlehead Fest at 6 p.m. May 19, at the Aroostook Centre Mall.

Approximately 33 people showed up for the 14th annual Aroostook River Fun 5K Run on Saturday, May 20. The race kicked off at 8 a.m. with a combination of runners and walkers whose goal was the finish line at the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club.

Although the same number of people attended the fun run as last year, the bike race drew 12 bikers, which was up from the three participants last year.

The Aroostook River Fun Run kayak and canoe race was well attended with 28 participants in canoes, kayaks and even a paddleboard taking part in the race. The starting line was at Thomas Brewer Park in Washburn and the finish line at the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club.

Brittany Delano works on her fiddlehead art project in the Adult Art Event space hosted by Wintergreen Arts in the Aroostook Centre Mall during Fiddlehead Fest in Presque Isle on May 20. (Paul Bagnall | The Star-Herald)

The Spring Craft Fair, which was held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 20, took place in the Aroostook Centre Mall. Local author and U.S. Marine veteran Vaughn C. Hardacker of Stockholm had a booth of his published books with plans for a sequel to his thriller titled “Wendigo” later this year.

Other booths included CJ & Jodi King’s The Maple Moose selling their maple syrup within a short walk to The Wood Stop, LLC beside Bath and Body Works and Paws and Kisses selling accessories and toys for pet owners to browse.

The spring craft fair draws a crowd at the Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle during Fiddlehead Fest on May 20. (Paul Bagnall | The Star-Herald)

It was also the opening day of the Presque Isle Farmers Market at Riverside Pavilion with baked goods offered by Rosemary Lavway from The County Bakery to Angelus Bell Farm with their farm fresh eggs and fiddleheads.

Main and side dishes featuring fiddleheads were served at Rodney’s at 436 Main, from deep-fried to alfredo.