It's our Centennial!

Date: January 4, 2016
Contact: John Kelly, 207-288-8703

We and our many partners will celebrate 2016 with a year-long series of community events for Acadia's Centennial. It began with hundreds of individuals hiking up Cadillac Mountain or watching from Acadia's rocky shoreline as the first rays of sunrise signaled the arrival of the new year.

Our kick-off event, the Baked Bean Supper hosted by the MDI Historical Society and Friends of Island History, will occur on Monday, January 25, 6–8 pm, at the Mount Desert Island High School. The annual supper will premiere a centennial film, by local filmmaker Peter Logue, which will share community perspectives about Acadia and provide an overview of exciting events to come in 2016.

"We are very fortunate to be the caretakers of Acadia National Park and honored to be a part of engaging so many people in celebrating Acadia's legacy and future," said Acting Superintendent Mike Madell. "As New England's only national park and one of our nation's coastal treasures, Acadia will spend the entire year celebrating what the park means to the residents of Maine and the many visitors who travel here each year."

"We have spent three years planning with the Acadia Centennial Task Force to ensure our celebration is rooted in the community and involves interested organizations, businesses, and individuals across Maine," said Chief of Interpretation Lynne Dominy. "More than 230 Acadia Centennial partners have joined with the Acadia Centennial Task Force to offer events and centennial products in the communities around Acadia—in classrooms, art galleries, libraries, historical societies, museums, theaters, restaurants, gift shops, and gardens. This celebration will also be an online dialogue where personal stories, photos, art, and ideas can be shared on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and local websites."

Visit the Acadia Centennial website at www.acadiacentennial2016.org to see a calendar of 2016 events or to apply to become a partner or create a centennial logoed product. "It's not too late to become an Acadia Centennial Partner," said Acadia Centennial Task Force member Stephanie Clement. "Potential Maine visitors are already planning their 2016 trips so becoming a partner now will maximize exposure for your organization or business. If you want to create a centennial event, then adding it to the searchable centennial website calendar will encourage visitors to include it in their trip plans."

In addition to Acadia's Centennial, the National Park Service is also celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016. Millions of people watched the Rose Bowl Parade on New Year's Day as the National Park Service and its partners invited the next generation of Americans, and those who already know and love the parks, to discover what national parks and other public lands mean to them through the #FindYourPark campaign. To learn more or get involved, please visit www.FindYourPark.com