Need Help Mapping Out Your Wild Blueberry Weekend Adventure: Explore These Locations

The Second Annual Wild Blueberry Weekend is fast approaching, and you know what that means – it’s time to start thinking about your *wild* line up of activities to help celebrate our state’s iconic fruit! Whether you’re a native Mainer or enjoying a Maine getaway, mark your calendar for this new Maine tradition, scheduled to take place August 6th and 7th, 2022. 

Tour, pick (and nibble) wild blueberries at one or all of the 14 participating wild blueberry farms located in Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Waldo and Washington counties, or try a new-to-you wild blueberry dish or drink statewide. Wild Blueberry Weekend is happening this summer in Maine (rain or shine)—how wild you get is totally up to you. To help get your wild weekend adventure started, we mapped out a few destinations to consider adding to your list.  

*Wild* Drink Destinations

There are more than 20 craft beverage establishments from Portland to Cherryfield, Maine participating in Wild Blueberry Weekend. Below are a select few. Check out the complete list at www.wildblueberryweekend.com.

Rising Tide Brewery (Southern Maine) 

This independent, family-owned, artisanal-style brewing company is considered an anchor to Portland’s vibrant East Bayside neighborhood. Guided by creative flavors, quality, and consistency, Rising Tide will be featuring their Blueberry Squadron fruited sour ale, exploding with wild Maine blueberries and balanced with a touch of lactose milk sugar, for Wild Blueberry Weekend. Visit their tasting room, order some scrumptious appetizers, and play some cornhole in their outdoor seating area right on Fox street in Portland. While you’re in the area, make sure to check out several other participating craft beverage establishments in the area, which are only a short walk down the street! Stop by Urban Farm Fermentory to try their wild blueberry kombucha, hard cider, mead and vinegar, or Three of Strong Spirits to try their craft rum cocktails with wild blueberries.

SweetGrass Farm Winery & Distillery (Southern & Midcoast Maine)

Forged from the true spirit of Maine, SweetGrass Farm Winery & Distillery is committed to crafting the best wines and spirits, made with love, from fruits and grains grown here locally in Maine. As a proud family run business, SweetGrass is rooted in Maine culture, inspired by place, and devoted to excellence in every bottle! For Wild blueberry Weekend, they will be featuring wild blueberry themed cocktails, as well as their aromatic cocktail bitters including bitter blueberry, made with Maine wild blueberries. Check out their locations in both Union and Portland, ME!

Generationally Owned Wild Blueberry Farms

The star of the weekend – wild blueberry farms. Fourteen (14 farms) are opening their doors free to the public. Below are two farms, one in Dresden and one in Harrington. To find one close to you, visit the complete list of participating wild blueberry farms at www.wildblueberryweekend.com.

Lynch Hill Farms (DownEast Maine)

If you’re searching for a traditional farm experience to get in touch with your Maine roots, Lynch Hill Farms located in Harrington, Maine is a great destination. During Wild Blueberry Weekend visitors will learn about the history of the wild blueberry and how these tiny delicious berries from Maine are grown, harvested, and processed in 45-minute tours starting at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Various pieces of specialized equipment unique to wild blueberry farming will be on display and visitors will get an insider’s view into the fresh processing area to see how Maine’s berries get retail ready and are packed in pints, quarts or freezer-ready boxes. The tour concludes at the farm store where fresh berries to-go as well as homemade Maine wild blueberry jam and other gift items can be purchased. Plus, visitors will have a chance to harvest some of their own wild blueberries by picking or hand-raking. For families, there is a 1:00 PM  special tour for kids that will take them on a short trek out to the wild blueberry field and concludes with the reading of the Maine classic Blueberries for Sal and a chance to pick their own little pail of berries.

Fields Fields Blueberries (Midcoast Maine)

Another great farm destination is Fields Fields Blueberries, a 2nd generation family-owned organic wild blueberry farm, located in Dresden, Maine. Focused on maintaining the berries in their most natural state, Fields Fields has been certified organic for over 20 years. They are passionate about sharing the powers of wild blues, making it their goal to educate Maine communities about this indigenous plant that only grows in a small section of North America. For Wild Blueberry Weekend, visitors will have the opportunity to experience walking tours while learning about wild blueberries, what makes them special and how they’re grown, harvested and cared for. The farm’s apiary will also be open for viewing to educate visitors on the importance of bees to the crop from a master beekeeper. Specifically for families with children, The ‘Magic Woods’ (a preschool nature play area) will be open, and there will be readings of Blueberries for Sal. Take in views of both the Camden Hills and the White Mountains from the hilltop farm while nibbling on wild blueberry crisp tarts (gluten free and vegan options available) along with other wild blueberry products (including the farm’s famous wild blueberry chips). There will be local farmers and crafters selling their creations and live music both Saturday and Sunday starting at 11 AM.

Farm to Table Food Options

There are more than 20 eating establishments participating from Portland all the way to Machias, Maine for Wild Blueberry Weekend. Below are a few delicious options, but check out the complete list at www.wildblueberryweekend.com.

Helen’s Restaurant (Downeast Maine)

Looking for some dinner options to complete your *wild* weekend? At Helen’s Restaurant in Machias, ME, you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in some incredible home-style dishes including their mouthwatering grilled salmon with wild blueberry glaze. They will also be offering some select blueberry cocktails for you to sip between courses, and their famous wild blueberry pie for dessert. Helen’s Restaurant is committed to buying great fresh seasonal food from local farmers, and continues to make this a committed, ongoing mission for their business. Helen’s Restaurant is so excited to share their love for delicious home-style food with all the wild blueberry lovers for Wild Blueberry Weekend.

Engine 5 Bakehouse (South-Central Maine)

If you’re looking for some flaky and oh-so-delicious treats, this friendly, family-owned bakery specializes in fresh baked sweets, including those with some tasty Maine wild blueberries! Located in Waterville, ME, Engine 5 Bakehouse will be offering bakery items including their blueberry pies (6″ and 9″), blueberry muffins, and blueberry-lemon scones. Founded in 2018, this family bakery has a long fire-fighting history, so keeping the firehouse theme was only natural given its location in the last fire substation near the city of Waterville. Stop by during Wild Blueberry Weekend to enjoy an authentic and tasty bakery experience!

What an incredible selection of offerings we have this year! Thank you to all of the establishments participating in Wild Blueberry Weekend – we couldn’t offer this truly wild Maine experience and continuously share the love for wild blues without all of you! 

We can’t wait to see what you choose for your *wild* weekend adventure. No matter where you choose to spend Wild Blueberry Weekend, make sure to capture plenty of pictures, post on social media, and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so we can revel in your love for wild blueberries.