Opening Day, Open House, and “Chamber After Hours Business Gathering” – June 14, 2023

Our doors are open at 10:30am for you to learn of our region’s logging history. View our unique oil paintings and hand carved models representing the early logging life and forestry in the State of Maine. Our exhibits, artifacts, dioramas and logging equipment and even hiking trails will keep all family members entertained.

Additionally, during the evening, our Open House Celebration and initial hosting of  The Chamber After Hours Business Gathering will occur on Wednesday, June 14 from 5:00pm – 7:30pm at the museum. We welcome you and your families to stop by for light refreshments, conversation and a tour of the museum. Come hear about our exciting plans for 2023 and some of the new exhibits we are planning in partnership with the Maine Forestry Service and Penobscot Nation.

Logging Festival Days – July 14 – 15, 2023

The Maine Forestry Museum sponsors multiple events in mid-July to celebrate our region’s timber heritage.  Join us at our fairgrounds for our 42nd Annual Logging Festival. This popular two-day event features an Arts & Crafts Vendor Day, Logging Parade, and Logging Festival.  Click here for more information to participate as a vendor.

Arts & Crafts Vendor Day – July 14, 2023 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) Join us at our Museum fairgrounds for our 42nd Annual Logging Festival.  Swing by on Friday and explore the items our vendors will be selling in their booths.  Listen to the entertaining music from the Bob Greene Band between 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM!  There will be children’s activities, burying of the beans (around 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM) for the Bean Hole Dinner that will be served on Saturday, cookout, beer garden.  Don’t miss the fun!

Logging Parade – July 15, 2023 (10:00 AM – 11:30 AM)  We sponsor a morning parade along Rangeley’s Main Street featuring loaded big rig logging trucks, floats, bands, antique cars and much more.

This year’s parade theme is “Woodstock In The Woods”.  Winners for “Best Loaded Truck”, “Most Appropriate to Logging” (logging industry equipment), and “Best Fitting Parade Theme” for floats and other entries will be chosen.  To participate in the parade, please contact our parade coordinator Linda Sikes at (207-491-6566).

Logging Festival – July 15, 2023 (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM)  At the conclusion of the morning Logging Parade, The Logging Festival kicks off on Museum fairgrounds with our opening ceremonies followed by our Hall of Fame inductions, famous Bean Hole Dinner, biscuits baked on reflector ovens and our exciting logging competition. Come see the axe throw, hot saw, and crosscut challenge.  Interested in competing in the logging competition? Click here to download a competitor form.

There will be children’s activities all day including our popular barrel train ride, mini excavator, clown, face painting, bouncy house and more. Our vendors, artisans and crafters will be there too! Don’t forget to check out our beer garden as well!

Online Auction Fundraiser – July 28 – August 11, 2023

We conduct a two week-long online benefit auction. Support the Museum by bidding on a unique array of items and experiences. Items include hand crafted furniture, fly fishing excursions, snow skiing lift tickets, snow skiing lessons, artwork, restaurant gift certificates, retail gift certificates and so much more.

To visit the auction site and preview items click: https://www.32auctions.com/MaineForestryMuseum

In order to place bids participants must create an account, but no payment or credit card information is required to bid.  Only winning bidders will need to enter their payment/credit card information.