BANGOR, Maine — The Maine Harvest Festival drew thousands of customers to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor looking to sample and buy from vendors from across the state.
Event organizers decided to implement two new firsts to this year's event: introducing craft vendors and making admission free.
The two might have helped the attendance grow, according to Brad LaBree, director of sales and marketing for the insurance center.
"This year is shaping up to be a really awesome year. The first Saturday saw more attendance than last year's weekend [days] combined," he said.
Saturday's crowds meant sales were better than expected for some vendors, such as Bouchard Family Farms.
"My husband actually had to bring more product down to me because we sold out yesterday," Janice Bouchard said while her family's booth served fresh ployes—a crepe-like treat made of buckwheat—and drawing a steady stream of customers.
Vendors appreciate the festival for the exposure it gives them. Ila Yarbrough co-owns Tempest Chocolate in Hampden with her husband. The weekend of sales and recognition their small business gets brings them one step closer to their dream of a storefront.
"People are like, 'We have not even heard of you,'" Yarbrough said. "We have our card. We are able to sell [chocolate] here. And they love to buy local."
The event also connects businesses with other businesses. Kayla Carrier is the chief of sales and marketing for Maine Grains, a Skowhegan based gristmill.
"Farmers come through, bakery owners come through," Carrier said. "[Them] noticing that we have a grist mill in our state is a great opportunity to increase the number of local ingredients into their baked goods."
The hope is for the event to keep growing and drawing more people in.
"It's a huge facility. The arena, the convention center, the concourse, we would like to have it packed with vendors," LaBree said.