March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Moosehead region readies for second Moosemainea

GREENVILLE — A monthlong tribute to Maine’s moose population will begin in May in the Moosehead Lake Region.

The second annual Moosemainea event will be observed Friday, May 14, through Sunday, June 20, with plans to include a Moose family reunion, safaris, a moose photo contest, a mountain bike endurance race, a craft fair and a reception.

Moose sightings during the month will be tracked on a large map of the region posted at the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce, the sponsor of Moosemainea.

“Moose sightings will be recorded for five weeks on roads, bogs, lake shores, along rivers, streams and in backyards,” said Donna Moreland, executive director of the chamber. Special awards will be presented to those who record certain numeric milestone sightings. Moreland said about 2,000 sightings were recorded during last year’s event.

A Moose curriculum has even been integrated into the elementary school, and children will have their own locator map on which to pinpoint moose sightings, Moreland said.

This year’s event will feature four new additions: a Moose family reunion; a photo contest; and the introduction of the Maine Moose Memorabilia Catalog and the Super Saver Card.

Residents in Maine with the name of Moose are invited to participate in a family reunion in Greenville, according to Moreland. She said an invitation had even been extended to “Moose” Johnston of the Dallas Cowboys to join the festivities. Moose hors d’oeuvres, moose trivia, tall tales, moose calling, moose slides and more will be featured during the reunion on Sunday, June 20.

Photographs of moose that capture the essence of the animal will be judged and awarded cash prizes and gifts valued at more than $500. The judges will include Bill Silliker, a noted wildlife photographer. Limited editions of the winning photo entries will be on sale beginning Saturday, June 19, and the winning photo will grace the cover of the Moosehead Lake Region Visitor’s Guide, which has a circulation of 50,000. Entries to the photo contest, which is open to all amateur photographers, must be submitted by Monday, May 24.

The Maine Moose Memorabilia Catalog features innovative moose-related items while the Super Saver Card, at a cost of $5, will allow discounts on moose items and related purchases throughout the region, according to Moreland.

Other events to be held during Moosemainea include a Moose-athon Mountain Cross bicycle race, a Moosterpiece Craft Fair, children’s activities, moose cruises, white-water rafting trips and sightseeing flights.


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