Maine Whoopie Pie Festival returns Saturday
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Maine’s beloved Whoopie Pie Festival, which draws thousands to downtown Dover-Foxcroft each summer, will return Saturday, June 24.
More than 7,000 people attended last year’s festival, and 2019 was the best attended with nearly 8,000 people, said Patrick Myers, executive director of the Center Theatre, which organizes the event with the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce. He expects a similar turnout this year.
“The festival is three weeks from Saturday, so we are in full whoopie pie mode,” he said earlier this month. “We’ve got about 22 bakers signed up, which is a wonderfully large number to have.”
FIRST TO FINISH — Bryan Lowder of North Carolina raises his hand to declare victory in the adult whoopie pie eating contest at the 2022 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival in Dover-Foxcroft. He was the first among eight adults to scarf down four whoopie pies. This year’s contests will be on Saturday starting at noon.
The Maine Whoopie Pie Festival will return for its 14th year with new features meant to make it run more efficiently, including VIP passes to get attendees closer access to the festival and past long lines, as well as a cooling tent after last year’s sweltering temperatures. It’s the largest annual event in Piscataquis County and benefits the Center Theatre and Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce.
The festival is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission fees have increased a dollar, now costing $6 per person, though kids 12 years and under are still free.
“During the busy times, those entrance lines are 50, 60, 70 people deep,” Myers said. “We try to move them through as fast as we can, but it’s a lot of people. We were looking for a way to help people avoid lines and make everything move a little smoother.”
2023 WHOOPIE PIE FESTIVAL — The Maine Whoopie Pie Festival returns on Saturday, June 24 in downtown Dover-Foxcroft. The festival, which brings dozens of bakers and tens of thousands of whoopie pies to town, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival also features live music, rides and games for the kids, and artists, crafters, vendors and lots of other fun food and activities. More information can be found at www.mainewhoopiepiefestival.com.
Parking is available at the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds. Two shuttles will travel back and forth from there to the festival to drop off attendees.
Dave’s World is providing the cooling tent, which will be set up near the food court area on East Main Street. Festival-goers will receive a map to navigate the offerings.
Although not a new feature, the whoopie pie eating contests are a crowd favorite. This year they will take place outside Dover True Value Hardware, as will activities including live music performances from musician Brian Smith and local band Thief of Joy. Augusta-based Burns Bears will be doing chainsaw carving.
TABLE MANNERS NOT REQUIRED — In June 2019, participants in the youth whoopie pie contest raced to finish one half of Maine’s official state treat first during that year’s annual Maine Whoopie Pie Festival in downtown Dover-Foxcroft. Corey Atwood of Mattawamkeag ate his the fastest to earn bragging rights. The 2019 festival drew 7,500 people.
The youth whoopie pie eating contest, for children 12 years old and under, is at noon. Teens compete at 12:30 p.m., and adults 20 years old and up are set to stuff their faces at 1 p.m.
Besides whoopie pies from bakers around Maine, attendees will have a chance to chow down on burgers, hot dogs and other popular festival foods. There will be more than 100 vendors, including artists and crafters, selling their creations. A designated area will feature games and rides for children.
“The festival is a beloved event in the area and for the whole state,” Myers said. “We’re excited to be back.”
FESTIVAL ENTERTAINMENT — The Axe Women Loggers of Maine had shows as part of the inaugural “Dover True Value Homeshow Expo” at 2019’s Maine Whoopie Pie Festival. On Saturday will be the third annual Homeshow outside the business. The Dover True Value lot will be the site of the whoopie pie eating contests and activities including live music performances from musician Brian Smith and local band Thief of Joy. Augusta-based Burns Bears will be doing chainsaw carving.
To purchase VIP passes, tokens, and access other information, visit the event’s website at https://www.mainewhoopiepiefestival.com/. People can also call the theater at 207-564-8943.
Staff Writer Valerie Royzman contributed to this story.
BURNING CALORIES FOR WHOOPIE PIES — Over 50 participants took part in the Piscataquis Regional YMCA’s Earn Your Whoopie Pie 3K before the start of the 2015 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival. This year’s race will be at 8:30 a.m. at the PRYMCA on Park Street in Dover-Foxcroft, and children can run in a 1K.