Lilacs on Wildflower Paths
the bonus newsletter of the month. plus a giveaway for all subscribers.
It’s lilac season. And I found the motherload.
McLaughlin Garden and Homestead in South Paris, Maine, just off of busy Route 26, is a centuries old landmark that hosts a two-acre garden and a historic barn and homestead. They are also home to one of the largest privately cultivated collections of lilacs in New England!
Featuring over 125 varieties of lilacs on over 200 trees, the garden collection also includes native wildflowers, hosta, daylily, astilbe, iris, phlox, and ferns. The entire property smells like Spring - the air is fragrant, sweet, romantic - and it lures thousands of visitors each year.
And right now, during peak lilac bloom, McLaughlin Gardens is hosting the short-windowed annual Lilac Festival. Friday, May 24th through Monday, May 27th from 10AM-4PM each day, visitors are welcome to stroll the native wildflower-lined paths, participate in garden tours and demonstrations, enjoy family friendly activities, and shop the curated selection of native and unique plants plus goodies in the gift shop. All of this for just a $5 admission donation.
I visited yesterday for opening day. I couldn’t get over the stark contrast between bustling Route 26 and what waited for me in the serene gardens - it’s an entirely different, lush world. Endless winding paths dotted with wildflowers of every color encompass the property, accented by thousands of lilacs looming overhead. If only you could smell what I got to through these pictures.
If you are in Maine over this long weekend and in need of an activity suitable for all ages, hurry to South Paris! The weather looks pretty perfect throughout the entire festival - and if for whatever you need a reminder of why it’s important to soak up every ☀️ day we get this Spring/Summer in Maine… just simply jog your memories of this time last year (🌧️)
* Giveaway! *
As most of you know, my book, Just Up The Road, chronicled 100 Adventures in Maine I took within a year. It was a major transition year for me - so the pages also detail me wrestling with (and trying to welcome) the idea that I can be more than one thing. I don’t have to live by just one job label, title or squeeze my worth into one limiting answer to “what do you do?”
So, in keeping true to my word - in addition to my forever love of writing and exploring Maine - I’ve also developed a deep passion for making pottery! It’s been just for fun - and man, how fun it is! As I approach my first release of items that I’ve spent hours laboring over, I wanted to celebrate by offering up a giveaway to my favorite people: my newsletter subscribers!
What you’ll receive:
My berry bowl! A super sweet, simple porcelain bowl kissed with gold luster. Food safe for any and everything - also perfect for trinkets.
How To Enter:
Make sure you are a free or paid subscriber to Gadabout Maine. Paid Subscribers will automatically get two entries!
Follow @snackplatelady on Instagram (my pottery page)
No instagram? No prob! You can alternatively sign-up for new pottery releases here.
Fill out this 2-second survey:
↠ Giveaway ends on Wednesday, May 29th and I’ll email the winner then to collect shipping information!
I’m going today! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it so much. Also, how dare you mention this time last year 🌧️😂😂