FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2016
CONTACT:
Kaitlyn Bernard
Appalachian Mountain Club Maine Program Associate
kbernard@outdoors.org; (207) 231-0336
Record Breaking Great Maine Outdoor Weekend – 130 events all over Maine
Help celebrate the 5th year of the GMOW September 16-18, 2016
PORTLAND, Maine– – More than 10,000 Mainers are expected to join in the tenth Great Maine Outdoor Weekend and celebrate fall weather and activities in the great state of Maine. Since 2012, the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend (GMOW) has hosted 2 series of outdoor events each year – one in the winter and once in the fall. September 2016 marks the end of the program’s 5th year and our 10th series of events.
“This weekend is on track to be our biggest yet,” says GMOW Coordinator Kaitlyn Bernard of the Appalachian Mountain Club, “we have 130 events listed so far with more rolling in every day.” After 5 years of consistent growth, the series has included more than 911 events across Maine and reached more than 51,500 participants. The series has introduced people across the state to new outdoor activities, venues, and organizers in their communities.
Activities range from classic hiking trips in some of Maine’s most beautiful areas to more unique opportunities like kite flying, full moon celebrations, and trail clean up and work days. “Some of my favorites are the Car Free Morning in Acadia National Park, the kayak tours in Casco Bay, and of course your two chances to see the Maine Outdoor Film Festival (MOFF) in Bethel or in Freeport!” says Nick Callanan, founder of No Umbrella Media and MOFF director.
“The Great Maine Outdoor Weekend is a perfect opportunity to get out and explore Maine’s best recreational resources. Explore new trails, parks, and preserves. Get to know organizations in your community, or travel to a new corner of the state and experience something new,” suggests Meghan Henshall of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Many of the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend events include free equipment rental and lessons, and nearly all of the events are family friendly.
The Great Maine Outdoor Weekend is a project of the Maine Outdoor Coalition, which is a network of partners dedicated to increasing connections to the outdoors for all people in Maine by identifying, promoting, and amplifying opportunities for statewide action and impact: www.maineoutdoorcoalition.org. Great Maine Outdoor Weekend Planning Partners include: Appalachian Mountain Club, Bicycle Coalition of Maine, L.L. Bean, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Mesh Marketing, No Umbrella Media, and WinterKids. For more information about the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend, visit www.greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org.
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