Search
Resorts & LodgesVacation RentalsDeals & PackagesTravel Guides
List Your Property

OgunquitFest: Ringing in Fall With a Fun Flair

Since 2004 the city of Ogunquit, Maine has been celebrating the coming of the fall season in style with OgunquitFest. This is a city wide celebration of fall colors and community. Thousands of people come from all around the Northeast to take part in this fun and unique festival. The ever popular bazaar is one of the festival’s main attractions and it’s loaded with many different vendors and cool items to purchase. Another main draw is the car show that features a wide range of different models of classic and antique automobiles. A majority of local businesses get in the festival mood by participating in the Scarecrow Contest. They compete with each other to see who has the best scarecrow and fall display, voted on by all who attend the festival via ballot boxes around town. The High Heel Dash is one of the festival's most popular events where people have foot races in heels to support the Frannie Peabody Center. With events that range from an outdoor film festival to an obstacle course, there is something for everyone at OgunquitFest.

 

This is the perfect event to bring the entire family, you’ll find a range of child-themed events, activities, and games throughout the festival. Food options at OgunquitFest are numerous and will have something for everyone. We sat down with festival representative, Frances Reed, to talk about the festival and the impact it has on the community.

 

RAL: Tell me about the history of the festival, how many annually attend and who are they.

FR: OgunquitFest is in its 12th year, and its popularity continues to grow annually. Because there is so much going on throughout the town, it is hard to give an exact number of attendees. We estimate that 5,000 come through our bazaar (which houses 75 vendors) over the weekend. More than 100 antique cars come to the car show, for hundreds of visitors to see. The costume parade will include approximately 200-300 children, adults, and pets. Our High Heel Dash brings in hundreds of spectators, for an event that typically lasts less than one minute!

 

The demographics of the weekend as a whole are mixed. We have events for all types of travelers. There are events specifically geared for children and families, but we also have a large number of retirees here for the weekend.

RAL: What makes OgunquitFest a unique event?

FR: OgunquitFest is as unique as the town itself. Scarecrows and fall displays are on display all over town. Several of the events (such as the High Heel Dash) raise money for local charities. The displays, costume parade, High Heel Dash, and the weekend as a whole allow the town to open up and display its wild side, if only for a few hours.

 

RAL: Tell me generally about the activities, dining options and the overall environment.

FR: Activities will depend upon your interests. If you like arts and crafts, we have a huge bazaar for that. Cars? We have a great car show. Music? We have an Oompa Band. Wine and beer? Check out the several tastings around town. Need something for your kids to do? We have pumpkin-decorating, story hour, hay rides, the OgunquitFest Obstacle Course, the costume parade and these are only some of special events. The town's businesses are still open to serve all of our visitors.

 

Guests can find the usual range of dining options in Ogunquit, as most of our businesses are still open. Of course seafood (lobster!) is most popular. Restaurants range from fine dining experiences to diners, cafes, and bistros. And no vacation would be complete without trying one of several home-made fudge options in town!

OgunquitFest brings out the fancy in us. This is by far the most interesting time of year to come see the town. We decorate our homes and businesses far more for this time of year than for any other, even Christmas. Visitors can even weigh in on the decorations, as they can nominate any yard, building, or area to win the "Scarecrow Contest", which would be better named the "Seasonal Display Contest". Ogunquit doesn't have solitary stationary scarecrows. We have scarecrow vignettes. Our scarecrow displays tell stories. Some samples are a scarecrow on one knee proposing to another, scarecrows playing "Badminton", firemen and police scarecrows climbing a tree to save a witch who has crashed because she has dared to "text and fly", or firemen scarecrows putting out a fire at the Ogunquit library with a ghost flying around the tower. And yes, the water and the ghost moved.

RAL: What can our travelers expect for local lodging and does it hit capacity during the festival?

FR: Travelers will find a wide range of lodging options, from full service resorts to small B&B's. Cottages, condos, and rental homes are also available. Lodging does not hit maximum occupancy during the event - we have room for many new visitors over the weekend. Some great lodging options include the Beachmere Inn, The Dunes on the Waterfront and The Meadowmere Resort.  

 

RAL: Why should people come to OgunquitFest?

FR: From the mundane to the absurd, OgunquitFest has that memorable moment waiting for our visitors. Fathers and children don high heels for the dash (yes, we have them on hand to lend to people who don't bring their own). Families come to the parade in themed costumes. Grandfathers show the cars of their childhood to their grandchildren at the Car Show. Generations shop together for gifts at the bazaar, or gather for photos within the seasonal displays. The tinkling of laughter is a common sound at OgunquitFest. Shouldn't your laughter join the rest, here in Ogunquit during OgunquitFest?  


For more information please visit the festival website.