Atlantic Birches Inn

Central and Southern Maine are the best locations to see colorful foliage through the coming week, these area’s are close to or very near peak according to the  2012 fall foliage report from the Maine Department of Conservation.

Color Zone Map

Maine Forest Service and state park rangers are reporting past peak leaf color in zones 5 through 7 of the state’s seven tracking zones, but pockets of remarkable color can still be seen in the Kennebec Valley region along Route 201 and in Cumberland and York counties in southern Maine. Leaf drop in these regions is currently 30 to 50 percent, rangers say.

I went out for one of my rare October drives this Tuesday on Route 5 heading toward Fryeburg and the White Mountains to see some of the Fall colors and check out some of the  wooden covered bridges along the way. I was surprised to still see an abundance of bright colors and  leaves still on the trees.  I am usually here attending to guests here at the Atlantic Birches Inn a Southern Maine Bed and Breakfast, for most of the October leaf-peeping season. I was amazed at the brilliance of leaf color even at higher elevations.  Along the beach here in Old Orchard Beach many of the trees are very near their color potential. We have Ash, Maple, Birch and Oak trees on our property that are in their full Fall display of bright fall colors. The road that we are located all the trees are orangingy, red and yellow Crayola Crayon shades that over-shadows all other leaf colors.

Portland Head Light

Numerous guests have taken area drives on scenic drives along coastal route 9  to Kennebunkport and Ogunquit and Cape Neddick to see Nubble Light  and to Route 5 toward the White Mountains,  this past week and brought back spectacular photos of waterfalls, swimming-holes, covered wooden bridges, landscapes, hiking trails, and all the photos bore a palette of bright colors.

Never mind the experts. We have gotten the word straight from the source, our guests:  The leaves are still on the trees and that the show will go on for another week or two. Don’t miss them.

Atlantic Birches Inn

The leaves are changing here in Southern Maine and families from all over are celebrating Autumns arrival in towns all across Maine. by attending craft and country fairs, apple and pumpkin picking along with fun and unique ways to experience the beauty of the fall season –from hot air ballooning, hopping on the Mail boat sailing on Casco Bay or taking a scenic drive to explore some of Maine’s wooden covered bridges and Maine

Wooden Covered Bridge

 coastline or traveling down some of the popular trail maps(breweries, wineries, wooden bridges, antiquing, apple picking, Christmas tree farms, birding, lighthouse, walking and bicycling ) we have put together for our guests.  Come to Old Orchard Beach and let us the Atlantic Birches Inn show you the Better Way to Stay and how you can explore and enjoy the fall foliage from every angle this season.   

Portland Head Lighthouse

Below are links  for the trail maps we have created to help you navigate and enjoy the Maine Foliage.

Maine Brewery Trail
Maine Winery Trail
Antiquing Trail
Apple Picking Trail
Birding Trail
Lighthouse Trail
U Cut Christmas Tree Trail
Walking and Bicycling Trails
Maine Wooden Bridge Trail

Atlantic Birches Inn

Its that time of year again when the nights are cooler, daylight is shorter, scent of fresh apple cider is the air  and the apples are ripe and ready to be picked. Bed and Breakfast Maine namely the Atlantic Birches Inn a Southern Maine Bed and Breakfast would like to share with you some of our favorite u-pick apple orchards in York and Cumberland Counties.     

At the apple orchard, you can enjoy a day filled with activities and goodies  for the whole family.    

U Pick Orchard

Many apple orchards are family-owned with a strong sense of tradition, which makes them a great place to spend a fun filled day with your family and friends. Some activities offered at various orchards include weekend festivals, hayrides, playgrounds and petting zoos.  Some also offer, fresh baked apple donuts,  jams, pies, apple crisps, honey, maple syrup, vegetables, pumpkins, wagon rides and gift shops, U picking apples in Maine is a fun family day event for all ages.   

Cider Press

If you visit an orchard that presses its own cider, you may have the opportunity to witness an apple-pressing demonstration. During a visit to an apple orchard on a warm day, you may want to enjoy a light picnic lunch. Depending on the orchard, they may offer snacks on-site, or you may need to pack your own.  

Apple Pie & Ice Cream

Most orchards will have a picnic area or a nice area under the apple trees with majestic views, where you can relax while you eat.  After your picnic treat yourselves to a slice of fresh baked apple pie with a scoop of ice cream to help keep everyone cool.   

View Maine U-Pick Apple Orchards in a larger map

Portland Head Light

The Atlantic Birches Inn is delighed to inform our friends and guests of the following, as a result of the huge success of past years open Lighthouse day’s The State of Maine and the U.S Coast Guard and the American Lighthouse Foundation have announced the 4nd annual Maine Lighthouse open house day the  twenty-two Maine Lighthouses on Saturday September 15, 2012 from 9am to 3pm. Transportation to these lighthouses must be provided by yourself. 

Spring Point Light

Last year, hundreds of people visited lighthouses along the Maine coast in the largest effort of its kind in the nation.  This year we expect another fun family event. Below we have created a map of some of our favorite area lighthouses with directions to help you find and visit them.

Pemiquid Light

We hope you enjoy visiting them and photographing them as much as we have at this Southern Maine Bed and Breakfast.

View Maine Lighthouses in a larger map

The Atlantic Birches Inn a Old Orchard Beach Bed and Breakfast would like to make you aware of the 19th Annual Old Orchard Beach Car Show and Parade will take place September 14 – 15th with hundreds of classic and antique automobiles parading through the streets of Old Orchard Beach.  This Car Show weekend has become a favorite for car enthusiasts, collectors, fans and spectators from far and wide. Old Orchard Beach is an ideal place to host this show with its classic downtown strip leading to the Pier, and the historic seaside amusement park atmosphere. The Car Show weekend kicks of Friday night with beautifully restored and maintained classic cars and trucks lining Old Orchard Street. The street is closed to traffic so viewers can browse the vintage car display then enjoy the famous Car Show Parade as the cars and trucks of yesterday “cruise” East and West Grand Avenue, creating a scene of past decades.

The actual 19th Annual Car Show Exhibit takes place from 8am to 3:00pm on Saturday on 1^st Street across from the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce Visitors’ Center. The public is welcome to attend, with a $2 donation admission to benefit OOB firefighters and EMS show attendees also receive a ballot to vote for their preferred vehicles. Car Show entry registration is 8am to Noon with final balloting by 1pm. registered cars and trucks receive a commemorative Car Show dash plaque to display.

Car Show awards range from best engine to the best of each vintage, to street rod, antique trucks and more. Over 70 trophies are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place with over 24 classes including the Mustang class, the Antique Car class and the Camaro class. The Car Show Awards Presentations will take place at 2:30pm. A Grand Finale Car Parade along East and West Grand Avenues concludes this classic car weekend.  Hope to see you there.

Olypians

The Atlantic Birches Inn would like to invite you to one of the biggest fun celebrations in Old Orchard Beach  the Special Beach Olympics of Maine , in its 29th year. The event  sponsored by Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution & Town of Old Orchard Beach. This family fun event held August 17 – 19, 2012 is a fundraiser for Maine Special Olympics. Three days of fun in the sun events are all for a good cause. While Olympic competition sounds intense, the unusual zany antics that actually occur at these Beach Olympics are fun and funny for the whole family.

A few of the wacky contests include crab races, an ice cream eating contest, bubble gum blowing, and a dressing & undressing contest, all are welcome to join in and all the money raised benefits the Maine Special Olympics.

The weekend of special beachside events starts with a traditional Torch Lighting Ceremony on Friday by a Maine Special Olympian. The official lighting of the Olympic Torch is followed by a kick off Olympic celebration featuring storytellers, baton twirlers, and live bands.

The historic Town Square, next to the pier and Beach, is the center for all the activities. Throughout the event, popular local musicians entertain the crowds and special appearances by Slugger the Sea Dog and other local characters add to the festivities. Locals and vacationers are welcome to sign up and participate in the many Beach Olympic events including sandcastle building competitions, beach

Beach Volley Ball

volleyball tournaments, arcade competitions, mini-golf contests, water balloon races, and more. For those that prefer to just watch, there are daylong volleyball tournaments, viewing of the sandcastle creations, and various contest going on to for spectators to enjoy, plus live free entertainment to take in. Events are scheduled by the half-hour and hour on the beach, in the Square, and at Palace Playland. Prizes are awarded to participants, with medals for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in most of the events.

All are encouraged to participate in the Beach Olympics events. In order to sign up for the Beach Olympics, you need to simply purchase a Beach Olympics Lanyard. Lanyards can be purchased for only $3 in advance at the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce or at the event for $5.00

Bed and Breakfast Maine namely the Atlantic Birches Inn an Old Orchard Beach Inn would like to show you the Better Way To Stay and inform you of one of our favorite events of the year the Rockland Lobster Festival 

Lobster Parade

The Festival a 65-year-old tradition, which comes alive like clockwork the first week of August every year, provides a sense of seasonal timekeeping; for others, a centerpiece for homecoming gatherings; and for others, a reconnection with the pleasure of basic hometown charm and plenty of Lobsters. 

Some of the key events are as follows

The “Great International Lobster Crate Race” is open to all people

Crate Race

 crazy enough to risk falling into the chilly ocean with crowds of people watching your every move as you race across floating crates.  Sunday August 5, 2012 at the Information Booth starting at 7:00 am. 

The “Parade”  goes down Main Streetand  features the Grand Marshall, the newly crowned 2012 Sea Goddess, the Sea Princesses andall  their Escorts, King Neptune and his court and a variety of marching bands and units, floats, drill teams and more.

Lobster Tent

 ”Lobster Serving Tent“  Come in for one, two or three lobster dinners includes a butterred roll and fresh local corn on the cob. Menu is lobster dinners,  steamed clams, fisherman’s platters, crab cakes, shore dinners, fried shrimp, fried haddock, and fried calamari.

Bed and Breakfast Maine namely  the Atlantic Birches Inn  an Old Orchard Beach Inn  would like to show you the Better Way To Stay and  inform you of one of our favorite events of the year the  

Clam Shucking

Yarmouth Clam Festival a 47-year-old tradition, which comes alive like clockwork on the third Friday in July, provides a sense of seasonal timekeeping; for others, a centerpiece for homecoming gatherings; and for others, a reconnection with the pleasure of basic hometown charm.  

Firemen Competition

The annual festival boasts lots of clams for eating, musical performances, competitions, fireworks, arts and crafts

The juried craft show on the NYA Lawn offers a selection of handmade crafts in every price range created by more than 140 artisans. Thursday 6-8pm (crafter’s option to open);  Friday & Saturday 10am-9pm; Sunday 10am-5pm.has a fine selection of jewelry, clothing, collectibles, pottery, wood carvings, and other handcrafted items created by over 140 artisans for every price range. The Festival’s jury consists of a panel of independent experts in various categories of arts and crafts. The jury selects crafters based on the following criteria: authenticity of handcrafted workmanship, originality and individuality, design excellence, executional skill, attention to detail, and professionalism in presentation.  

Royal River Chorus

Free Entertainment is provided all weekend at four locations: the Entertainment Tents at North Yarmouth Academy, on Memorial Green, on the Library Lawn and the Serendipity Stage on the First Parish Church Lawn.   

 Carnival by Smokey’s Greater Shows, Inc. is next to the Rowe School. Open Wednesday & Thursday 5-11pm; Friday & Saturday 10am-11pm; Sunday 11am-5pm; Pay-one-price $20 bracelets are valid Wednesday & Thursday 6-10pm and Sunday 12-4pm.  

Art Show & Sale Under the Oaks on the Library Lawn. View original works from the best artists in Maine and from away. Browse the show under three Maine State Champion Oak Trees, the largest known living members of each species in Maine. Friday 10am- 5pm, Saturday 10am-7pm and Sunday 10am-5pm.  

Blue Angels

Bed and Breakfast Maine namely the Atlantic Birches Inn an Old Orchard Beach ME. Bed and Breakfast  is happy to inform you of the  Boston Portsmouth 2012 Air Show.   

Black Diamonds

The United States Navy Blue Angels along with the Black Diamond Jet Team  will bring their high adrenaline, action packed flying performance to the Boston Portsmouth Air Show at Portsmouth’s International Airport at Pease on  June 30 and July 1st.   

Sean D. Tucker

There will also be precision aerobatic flying by Michael Goulian in his Castrol Aviator Extra 330SC, and Sean D. Tucker in his custom built 400 horsepower Challenger II Biplane along with Wing Walker  Jane Wicker and many others. 

B-25 Panchito

The air Show will host ground displays of many different aircraft including today’s military jets, Vintage Warbirds, Bi Planes, and Civilian Aircraft.  Many of the display will allow hands on and walkthroughs.  These are some of the aircrafts on display B-52 Strato Fortress, B-25 Panchito, F-16 Fighting Falcons,  B-52 Strato Fortress, C-17 Globemaster III, C-21 Lear Jet, UH-60 Blackhawk  and many more.  

Golden Knights Parachute Team

The U.S. Army Golden Knights Precision Parachute Team will be parachuting in on this years show. 

Impressive demonstrations of the mighty roar of the USAF F-15 will be put on, along with the display of power and maneuverability of the F-16 that combines to make this Jet one of the world’s most lethal aircraft, also the Navy’s top fighter and attack aircraft  will captivate the audience with it powerful, precise demonstration of it’s speed and skill. 

KC-135 StratoTanker

An also must see demonstration is the KC-135R Stratotanker, the fuel lifeline of the United States Air Force in action in an exciting fly-by.