Nationwide vintage automotive tour to journey The County

If you see a bunch of old-time automobiles throughout Aroostook County this week, you’re not time touring. You’re within the midst of a nationwide vintage auto membership tour.

The Maine Region Antique Automobile Club of America and the Presque Isle Historical Society will host the AACA Eastern Divisional Tour from Tuesday to Friday. The entourage, in autos courting from 1932 to 2000, will go to spots throughout northern Maine.

It would be the nationwide membership’s second time in The County. About 30 members and autos attended a 2023 tour for vintage cars constructed from 1900 to 1932. It was so profitable that phrase unfold, and this 12 months greater than 50 individuals will be part of the journey. Having so many vintage automobiles round just isn’t solely a visible feast, however brings a tourism enhance to the area, the historic society’s Kim Smith mentioned.

“This will bring dollars into our communities all over The County — hotel rooms, food, gas purchases, incidental purchases and entry fees for historic sites,” Smith mentioned. “More cars means more money spent locally, and a likelihood of more people returning.”

In reality, vacationers who go to the northern Maine area are prone to return, mentioned Smith, who’s Presque Isle’s useful resource improvement and public relations officer and vice chair of Aroostook County Tourism.

Tour individuals get pleasure from driving on rural roads, that are plentiful in Aroostook, she mentioned. Organizers have deliberate rides from Patten to the St. John Valley so the guests can soak up County surroundings, historic websites, native meals and extra.  

They will go to the Musee Culturel du Mont Carmel in Lille, Patten Lumberman’s Museum, Loring Commerce Centre and Presque Isle websites such because the historic James School, Maysville Museum and air museum.

The group may also hear displays in regards to the Aroostook War, Theodore Roosevelt and his County connections, the Double Eagle II and the Great Mars Hill Bank Robbery, to call just a few, Smith mentioned.

“Several have said that the vintage tour in 2023 was the best AACA tour they have ever been on,” Smith mentioned. “They love everything about The County — the rural roads, the scenery, the history and the friendliness of the people.”

The Antique Automobile Club of America marks its ninetieth anniversary this 12 months and has 400 areas and chapters. Maine’s solely area is predicated in Presque Isle. Craig Green serves as president.

Antique automotive homeowners from across the nation are headed to northern Maine for the tour, Green mentioned. The nationwide membership president, David Anspach, and his spouse, Debra, will drive from Virginia, and others hail from locations together with Arizona, Louisiana, the Carolinas, New York and New Jersey.

A public avenue truthful is deliberate from 6:30 p.m. to eight p.m. Thursday, the place the homeowners will exhibit their automobiles. Local band Star City Syndicate will carry out, and meals vehicles and native artists will add to the festivities.

“We have two couples who came last time and are returning with another car.  They enjoyed the area and especially the food,” Green mentioned. “We also had many of the last tour participants say they enjoyed the Thursday street music and street fair, so we are doing that again.”

The japanese divisional occasion is new to Aroostook, Green mentioned. Because the automobiles are newer fashions, they’ll journey quicker and farther, which is why the tour will cease at so many locations.

 

Residents are invited to line the streets and welcome the parade of automobiles, Smith mentioned.

On Tuesday, Aug. 12, they’ll drive to Ashland at 8:30 a.m., Portage at 9:15 a.m., Fort Kent at 10:30 a.m., St. Agatha at 11:15 a.m., Madawaska at 1:45 p.m., Lille at 2:30 p.m. and Van Buren at 3:30 p.m.  

Wednesday, Aug. 13, will take the group to Littleton at 8:45 a.m., Houlton Airport at 9:15 a.m., Oakfield at 10:15 a.m., Sherman at 11:00 a.m., Patten at 11:30 a.m. and Ashland at 2:30 p.m.

On Thursday, Aug. 14, the tour will head to Fort Fairfield at 9:30 a.m., Easton at 10:30 a.m., Mars Hill at 11:30 a.m. and Spragueville at 2:00 p.m.

Rounding out the journey on Friday, Aug. 15, might be visits to Loring at 9:00 a.m., Limestone at 12 midday, Maysville at 1:30 p.m. and the Presque Isle Air Museum at 2 p.m. A last banquet might be held that night, Smith mentioned.

“This is an amazing opportunity for our area,” she mentioned.  “We made great friends in 2023 that we still are in touch with and can’t wait to make new friends this time.”

For extra data on the tour, contact Green at craig@crgins.web.