109 Main Street
Houlton, Maine 04730
(207) 532-4216
Upcoming Events 2023
Click Here for 2023 Sponsorship Opportunities
The Chamber’s Annual Dinner and Gala Event
March 18th 2023
The Chamber’s Annual Dinner and Gala Event has become the Board of
Directors gift to our members and friends as well as one of our best fundraisers. The evening
begins with a cocktail hour and hors d’oeuvres served at 6 pm by a wait staff comprised of
seniors from the Houlton Higher Education Center. Dinner is served at 7:00 and is cooked by
the Board of Directors. Dessert follows with the Annual Report, Awards Ceremony, and an
always exciting auction to finish the evening.
The Southern Aroostook Trade Show
April 15th & 16th
April 15 & 16 The Southern Aroostook Trade Show is a highly anticipated event held every
spring in the Millar Civic Center. (We are proud to be one of the major supporters of the Civic
Center.) 45 Vendors setting up displays with attendance averaging 1800 people gives our
business community a chance to showcase their product.
Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race
April 29th 2023
The Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race has been part of Houlton’s history, for over 37
years. The event for which paddlers “from away” praise the Town of Houlton and its
collaborative spirit, hosts over 100 paddlers. Our friends from outside the County love that we
give away Aroostook County potatoes as parting gifts and say it’s the best part of the day!
Houlton Community Market
May 27 to October 7 2023
Houlton Community Market is open in
Historic Market Square from
8:30 to 12:30 and Wednesday from 2:00 to 5:30.
This is a great opportunity to support local
farmers and talented crafters as well as listen to music, enjoy some food and learn some fun
nutrition facts.
Strawberry Shortcake Sale.
June 29th 2023
In Market Square and held the day before Midnight Madness. They have become a town favorite. Made with Houlton Farms Dairy whip cream, oh and we deliver.
Midnight Madness
June 30th 2023
Midnight Madness has become the definitive event for the Town of Houlton. . and
evening with vendors in Market Square, musical performances, a road race, and the ever-
popular fireworks over the Gateway Bridge at 9:30. Over the years the event has become less
of a shopping opportunity and more of a street fair which seems to work well for the community.
Crowds number in the thousands.
The
4th of July Parade
July 4th 2023
The 4th of July Parade was happily taken over by the Chamber in 2014 and has
become one of our favorites.
The parade started at 10:00am in the parking lot of the Catholic Church on Main St. and is a mile long loop through Historic Market Square,
into Union Square and back up Military St. The last entry leaves the parking lot at the same time the first entry returns making it a true mile long parade!
Annual Potato Feast Days
August 18 & 19 2023
Annual Potato Feast Days is kicked off on Friday by the Doll and Wagon
Wrangler Parade, touch-a-truck (sponsored by the Rec Center) , Lobster Feast in
Monument Park and music in the Amphitheater. This is a great weekend which includes
Community Market as well as a Craft Fair and Art show. We estimate the weekend crowd at
around 3000.
Harvest Festival
September 16 2023
September 16– Harvest Festival is a small event to celebrate the Houlton Community Market
and the bountiful farmers on our area. The Chamber of Commerce is happy to provide support for this fun family event.
Apple Crisp
Sale.
October 5 2023
Apple Crisp Sale is a new tradition to build on the success of the Strawberry Shortcake Sale the day before Midnight Madness.
Halloween Spooktacular.
October 28 2023
Halloween Spooktacular, hosted in partnership with the Houlton Rec Center and
Serendipitous Dragonfly. This event is geared to young children and family groups and held on
the Saturday before Halloween in downtown Houlton.
Holiday Open House.
November 19th 2023
Holiday Open House.
Held in Downtown Houlton on the Sunday before
Thanksgiving from noon to 4, this is the informal kick-off to the Christmas holidays.
Holiday Light Parade
November 25 2023
Holiday Light Parade is held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving at 6:00
p.m. Local businesses decorate floats with lights, costumed walkers sing and dance their way
through the parade route music and Santa and Mrs. Claus light the Christmas tree and be
available to hear the children’s Christmas wishes after the parade.
Hidden Treasures
The entire Month of December
It has become an annual tradition to publish a daily list of Hidden Treasures in the
month of December.
The list is emailed to friends of the Chamber as well posted on the Chamber Facebook page to boost interest in the “Buy Local” model. This holiday season list is a work in progress!