AGP Executive Report

Big E Spotlight: Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is bringing Maine food, farms, and makers back to The Big E in West Springfield, running Sept. 18–Oct. 4, with Maine Day on Sept. 19. Craft Road Trip: Maine Craft Weekend returns Oct. 3–4 with a free, self-guided open-studio tour and an online map to plan stops across the state. Northern Lights Alert: A minor G1 geomagnetic storm could make auroras visible from parts of northern New England and Maine if skies cooperate. Tourism & Labor: A new analysis says Maine relies heavily on seasonal migrant workers, with tourism and hospitality among the industries using them. Local Travel Economy: Eastport’s R&M IGA has closed, forcing residents to drive about 40 minutes for groceries—another reminder of how small-town access affects visitors and locals alike. Safety Watch: MaineDOT released video and an update on the Aug. 13 Old Town bridge collapse during construction. Community Events: Tugboat Roundup returns to Waterford Sept. 11–13 with a tugboat parade and waterfront festivities.

Shark Warning: A great white shark was spotted about 200 yards off Wells Beach on Labor Day, with no lifeguards on duty—Wells Fire is urging beachgoers to stay alert and swim responsibly. ATV Route Reopens: After dust complaints, landowner concerns, and a Maine DOT bridge closure, an ATV route between Howland and Lincoln is back—now including reopened Mattamiscontis Road, Greywolf Trail, and a new Veterans Memorial Trail. Fall Foliage Travel Trend: Cruises are being pitched as a leaf-peeping alternative for late September into October, with cooler packing needs and onboard activities. Local Politics With Visitor Impact: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs are set to hit U.S. imports with levies up to 50%, and Maine’s Susan Collins warns the trade war could ripple into local businesses and consumers. Maine Tourism Culture: A documentary spotlighting “Tomahawk, City in the Pines” highlights how Northwoods communities preserve their logging-era stories long after the boom.

Shark Safety Alert: A great white shark was spotted about 200 yards off Wells Beach, and with no lifeguards on duty for Labor Day, Wells Fire Department is urging beachgoers to stay alert and swim responsibly. Beach Monitoring Wrap-Up: Maine Healthy Beaches ended its Labor Day water-quality monitoring season, reminding swimmers to avoid storm-drain areas for 24–48 hours after heavy rain and noting no beaches were reported unsafe as of Friday. Tourism Calendar & Events: The Strand Theatre in Rockland is hosting a screening of “Out at Six” (Oct. 1) with a survivor-led panel, part of Finding Our Voices’ statewide “Break the Silence” tour that also stops in Portland (Oct. 2) and Waterville (Oct. 3). Outdoor Skills Day: Camp Beech Cliff (Mount Desert) will hold an Adult Outdoor Skills Day on Sept. 20, with guided workshops and optional on-site tent camping. Local Culture for Visitors: Author Claire Ackroyd is spotlighted for her Maine-based mystery writing, with a Sept. 3 talk at Southport Memorial Library.

Outdoor & Events: Camp Beech Cliff in Mount Desert is hosting an Adult Outdoor Skills Day on Sept. 20, with guided workshops and optional on-site tent camping. Paddling & Tourism: The Adirondack Canoe Classic (the 90-Miler) returns Sept. 11–13, drawing hundreds of paddlers and funneling race revenue back into Northern Forest Canoe Trail access and youth scholarships. Road & Travel Planning: MaineDOT will close the temporary Stillwater Avenue Bridge in Old Town from 8 a.m. to mid-afternoon Wednesday (Aug. 26) for inspection after a partial collapse, with detours in place. Shoreline & Wildlife: Maine’s warm-water shark sightings are becoming more consistent as ocean temperatures rise, while officials also warn visitors to keep distance from marine wildlife. Local Life on the Water: A corn hole tournament at Bear Point Marina raised scholarship money in memory of Joe Cox, highlighting how lake communities keep summer traditions going. Safety Note: A serious 3-vehicle crash on Route 202 in Lebanon briefly shut the road and sent one driver to Portsmouth Hospital.

Election Updates: Maine’s Secretary of State laid out key voting dates and deadlines ahead of Nov. 3, including National Voter Registration Day (Sept. 15) and the start of in-person no-excuse absentee voting (Oct. 4). Campaign Trail: U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson made a Labor Day weekend stop in Orono, speaking with the University of Maine Graduate Workers Union and educators about boosting young voter turnout. Local Fundraising: The 6th annual Joe Cox Memorial Cornhole Tournament in Bowerbank raised scholarship money for local students. Tourism & Community Events: Camden’s Windjammer Festival drew crowds to town and harbor for schooner tours, demonstrations, and lobster crate races. Nature & Safety Watch: Damariscotta police investigated Bigfoot 911 calls—only to find a “very convincing” costume. Outdoor Travel Angle (Regional): The Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s Adirondack Canoe Classic (the 90-Miler) runs Sept. 11–13, with paddlers traveling from Old Forge to Saranac Lake.

Shark Watch: Experts say more warm-water shark species are showing up in New England as ocean temperatures rise, with sightings off Cape Cod and the Islands pointing to a growing seasonal pattern. Windjammer Festival: Camden’s Windjammer Festival drew locals and visitors to schooner tours, demonstrations, and waterfront events, highlighting Maine’s maritime heritage and bringing steady tourism energy to the harbor. Outdoor Access & Inclusion: Maine Adaptive is launching the Access Unlimited Capital Campaign to build a permanent, year-round Mountain Center in Newry, aiming to expand adaptive skiing, paddling, and lodging options. Community Giving: A Rangeley resident raised over $15,000 to restore a Peace Corps-linked school library in Botswana, with plans to return in October to finish the project. Local Fundraiser: An epic estate sale in Camden on Sept. 19 will benefit Finding Our Voices, supporting Maine women survivors of domestic abuse. Safety Alerts: Police are investigating fatal hit-and-run activity in Dover-Foxcroft and a separate Limington crash where a pickup allegedly forced a sedan off the road.

Maritime Tourism Spotlight: Camden’s Windjammer Festival packed the town landing with schooners, ship tours, lobster crate races, and local vendors—an easy draw for visitors who want Maine’s working-boat history up close. Adaptive Outdoor Travel: Norway Savings Bank pledged $10,000 to Maine Adaptive’s Mountain Center campaign, aiming to turn the historic Outward Bound campus in Newry into a year-round hub with more lodging and multi-day programs for accessible skiing, paddling, and more. Family-Friendly Reads: A new children’s book, “The Chronicles of a Guinea Pig 2,” sends readers to Cundy’s Harbor for a camp adventure—another reminder that Maine locations are becoming storybook destinations. Road Safety for Travelers: Maine State Police are seeking witnesses after a Limington crash that sent a Subaru into a tree and fire; the driver of a light-colored pickup allegedly fled. Fuel Costs: AAA reports Labor Day gasoline hit a national record around $4.14 a gallon, a big factor for road-trip planning into the fall. Big Outdoor Feat: Fort Kent rider Kelsy Stromski finished the Mongol Derby—an extreme endurance trip that puts Maine on the global adventure map.

Appalachian Trail & Outdoor Feats: Fort Kent native Kelsy Stromski finished the Mongol Derby—Guinness-recognized as the world’s longest horse race—crossing 600 miles in Mongolia despite brutal heat and tough horse conditions. Labor Day Travel Costs: AAA reports Maine gas averages about $4.17 a gallon, with record-high national prices tied to global oil shocks; AAA says it may squeeze discretionary spending more than travel plans. Wildlife & Safety: Maine beach visitors may want to be extra cautious this holiday weekend as reports note sharks still showing up at Maine beaches, while lifeguards may be limited. Local Tourism & Community: A Belfast family’s long-running fight against a proposed fish farm highlights how environmental concerns can shape what visitors and residents experience along Maine’s waterways. Visitor Economy & Cross-Border Travel: A Campobello Island brewery is weighing a move to Lubec as U.S.-Canada tariff changes hit alcohol imports—another reminder that trade policy can ripple into Maine’s tourism-adjacent businesses. Film Spotlight: “Saving Black Bear,” shot in Orono, is set for a Sept. 9 world premiere at Black Bear Cinemas, with more screenings planned in Portland.

Labor Day travel costs: AAA reports the national gas average is at a record $4.14 a gallon, with Maine at about $4.17—prices tied to global oil pressures, and likely to squeeze discretionary spending even if most trips are already booked. Beach safety alert: Kennebunk officials say sinkholes are forming near the seawall at Gooch’s Beach; beachgoers are urged to avoid the jetty area until conditions improve. Local tourism & culture on the calendar: Black Bear Cinemas in Orono hosts the world premiere of the Maine-shot indie film Saving Black Bear on Sept. 9, with a Portland premiere Sept. 13. Community visitors & seasonal economy: Southport General Store’s annual International Dinner (Sept. 6) celebrates J1 students who help power Maine’s summer coastal economy. Nature & outdoor draw: A 91-year-old hiker reclaims the Appalachian Trail record after completing the full trek—another reminder of Maine’s pull for long-distance travelers. Cross-border travel ripple: A tariff fight is pushing a Campobello Island brewery to consider relocating to Lubec, a potential change for visitors crossing the border.

Labor Day travel watch: A new Labor Day weekend forecast points to a cooler, breezier coast with possible scattered showers Saturday and higher seas/rip currents at east-facing beaches—plan beach time carefully. Beach safety alert: Kennebunk officials are warning visitors about sinkholes at Gooch’s Beach after erosion washed out sand near the seawall; one person reportedly fell in. Drought pressure: Maine’s Drought Task Force says the state never fully bounced back from last year’s drought and conditions are worsening again, urging water conservation and well checks. Health care expansion: St. Mary’s in Lewiston is expanding behavioral health services with a newly opened behavioral health home and a six-bed intermediate care unit. Roadless land proposal: Maine’s only inventoried roadless area in the White Mountain National Forest could lose federal protections under a USDA proposal, with public comments due Sept. 21. Tourism-friendly history stop: The Maine Historical Society is touring a Dunlap broadside Declaration of Independence display to all 16 counties, bringing Revolutionary-era history to local communities. On-the-ground access: The Maine Turnpike Authority reported an I-95 north crash in Arundel that briefly blocked lanes and caused delays. Local events: Skowhegan’s Craft Brew Festival returns Saturday, and Thunder Road Farm’s corn maze and seasonal attractions kick off Sept. 12.

Maine Historical Society Tour: The Maine Historical Society is bringing a Dunlap broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence to all 16 counties, starting with a display at Foxcroft Academy’s Jim Robinson Field House in Dover-Foxcroft—an interactive way to learn Maine’s role in the Revolution. Accessible Travel Safety: The Maine Turnpike Authority is launching a pilot emergency notification app at the Kennebunk Service Plazas that turns sounds like alarms, gunshots, and sirens into tactile alerts for deaf and hard of hearing travelers. Cozy Fall Spotlight: Bar Harbor has been named America’s coziest fall destination for 2026, with the ranking tied to sweater-weather temps, rainy days, and cozy local stops near Acadia. Road & Travel Disruptions: A crash blocked multiple lanes on the Maine Turnpike northbound in Arundel, and drivers were warned to expect delays. Local Community Grants: Gov. Janet Mills announced $4.7 million in grants for 72 Maine communities to improve energy efficiency and resilience. Outdoor/Heritage Fun: A Maine corn maze season is leaning into America’s 250th birthday themes, including a Liberty Bell-and-bald-eagle design at Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant.

Appalachian Trail Spotlight: Dale “Grey Beard” Sanders, 91, just reclaimed the record as the oldest person to complete the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail, finishing Monday at Mount Katahdin in Maine after falling 71 times on the trek. Road Safety for Visitors: Maine State Police arrested a New Hampshire man after he allegedly crashed through an active Kennebunk construction zone on I-95 northbound, hitting cones and a mobile sign board. Community & Travel Dollars: Governor Janet Mills announced $4.7 million in grants to 72 Maine communities for energy-efficiency and climate resilience projects. Rural Access Worry: Eastport’s only grocery store, R&M IGA, is closing as the owner retires, leaving residents to drive to Perry or Calais for groceries. Outdoor Nature Getaway: Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary in Lewiston is highlighted as a quick, trail-filled nature escape near campus. Arts & Maine Culture: Artist Alex Katz, 99, is profiled ahead of an exhibition in Nice, France, with his Maine coast and pond scenes at the center of his work.

Appalachian Trail Spotlight: Dale “Grey Beard” Sanders, 91, finished his thru-hike by reaching Mount Katahdin, reclaiming the record as the oldest person to complete the Appalachian Trail—after falling 71 times and leaning on the trail’s lesson to keep going. Rural Access & Groceries: Eastport’s only grocery store, R&M IGA, is shutting down as the owner retires and no buyer has stepped in, leaving residents to drive to Perry or Calais for food. Energy & Resilience Funding: Gov. Janet Mills announced $4.7 million in community grants for energy-efficiency and climate resilience projects across 72 Maine communities. Healthcare Closer to Home: MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital opened a new Infusion Center plus Oncology and Blood Disorder Practice to expand local treatment capacity. Tourism Management Watch: In Juneau, a cruise-ship limit ordinance was postponed as leaders weigh data needs and legal risk, with visitation capped via agreements for now. Outdoor Retail Buzz: L.L.Bean announced a multi-year partnership with Patriots QB Drake Maye and his wife, Ann Michael Maye, ahead of a Freeport flagship reopening. Local Business Update: Corsetti’s in Westbrook abruptly closed, with owners saying they hope to reopen later.

Appalachian Trail Spotlight: Dale “Grey Beard” Sanders, 91, reclaimed the record as the oldest person to complete the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail, finishing Monday atop Mount Katahdin after starting last Sept. 6 and reporting 71 falls along the way—an inspiring Maine moment for hikers and visitors. Shark Watch on the Coast: A tour boat in Bar Harbor’s Frenchman Bay captured a great white shark attacking and eating a seal off Egg Rock, adding to this summer’s spike in sightings and fueling both curiosity and caution for beachgoers. Fall Tourism in Aroostook: With summer festivals winding down, Aroostook County tourism officials say the region is shifting to fall day trips, hiking, state parks, and farm stands—aiming to keep visitors coming for outdoors and local experiences. Park Programs: Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal hosts a free hot dog roast and Leave No Trace trivia event (with paid admission), part of a broader stewardship push. Local Travel Notes: A Bangor road project will bring major detours starting Sept. 8, with Cumberland Street closures lasting into early December.

Wildlife on the Water: A Bar Harbor tour cruise captured a great white shark attacking and eating a seal off Egg Rock in Frenchman Bay—about 20 to 30 feet from the boat—sparking awe and concern as locals point to warmer waters and more bait fish. Fall Tourism in the North: Aroostook County tourism officials say summer is shifting into fall with day trips, day hiking, state parks and Haystack Mountain, plus farm stands and farm experiences that keep visitors spending beyond the main event. Cruise Season Update: Rockland is set for its 2026 fall cruise run starting Sept. 6, with nine ships and about 13,672 passengers through Oct. 22, bringing visitors to downtown shops, museums, and popular Midcoast excursions. Outdoor Inspiration: At 91, “Grey Beard” Dale Sanders reclaimed the record for the oldest person to complete the Appalachian Trail, finishing Monday atop Mount Katahdin in Maine after 71 falls. Local Travel Watch: Old Orchard Beach managers say Canadian trade tensions aren’t slowing visitors yet, with Labor Day crowds expected to bring the usual surge.

Appalachian Trail Inspiration: Dale “Grey Beard” Sanders, 91, reclaimed the record for oldest person to complete the Appalachian Trail, finishing Monday atop Maine’s Mount Katahdin after 71 falls during the 2,193-mile hike. Space & Science Spotlight: Caribou native NASA astronaut Jessica Meir is set for her seventh spacewalk Tuesday, with about 6½ hours outside the International Space Station for maintenance and science work. Outdoor Travel Buzz: A full-size tipi on North Pond in Woodstock has a surprising backstory tied to Massachusetts Native American leaders—and it’s drawing visitors this summer. Local Food & Tourism: Ay Ay Tacos is expanding from a Van Buren operation into multiple northern Maine locations, aiming for openings in Caribou and Houlton next. Coastal Wildlife Watch: Great white shark feeding sightings off Mount Desert Island are being reported by a Bar Harbor whale-watching company, adding to Maine’s summer marine buzz. Community Events: Lincoln County Historical Association’s Preservation Party (Sept. 13) includes a cake auction and vacation-themed raffle items.