A new type of food festival will offer fare from local eateries and benefit Aroostook County cancer patients at the same time.
Cary Medical Center’s Pink Aroostook, which supports breast cancer patients with education and financial assistance, plans its inaugural Pink Plate Food Festival this Sunday, June 29, in Caribou.
A cancer diagnosis signals expense, travel and a lot of uncertainty, Pink Aroostook Program Director Hana Boucher said. After attending a chowder festival in Massachusetts, she was inspired to create a new, fun event for the community that helps the organization do more for patients diagnosed with breast cancer.
“A lot of the patients that we’ve helped with financial stipends are short on groceries or behind on bills. A lot of them have issues getting rides to appointments,” Boucher said. “I’ve seen the impact that it’s had on them, and how even just a little bit can make a lot of difference in their lives.”
The food festival is planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside at the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center. In case of rain, activities will move indoors.
Despite its name, Pink Plate doesn’t mean all the food is pink, Boucher said — but some cooks are preparing aptly colored offerings.
For a $20 admission fee, people can enjoy live local music and sample food and beverages from 13 County vendors. Those attending will receive tickets to vote for the restaurants they thought had the best offerings. The eatery with the most votes will earn a $1,000 grand prize.
Those on tap include: Mami’s Spanish Kitchen of Madawaska; Big Cheese, Chuck’s Old-fashioned Soda, Sizzle and Slice and the Caribou Sub Shop, all of Caribou; Rodney’s at 436 Main, Confectionately Yours, Parkhurst Siding Pub and Shogun of Presque Isle; and Smokey Bears BBQ of Easton.
Ryan Remalia and Christopher Maldonado will provide musical entertainment.
The vibe will be similar to Caribou’s popular Thursdays on Sweden, but the idea of supporting cancer patients with a restaurant competition is new, Boucher said.
“We have nothing that I know of similar to that up here, so I thought it would be great to bring something like that to The County,” she said. “People are always looking for an opportunity to get out and do things, especially in the summer and especially for a good cause.”
Local businesses have also donated several prizes and gift certificates that will be raffled during the event.
Besides medical expenses, people battling breast cancer have other financial burdens that can include wigs, prosthetics, mental health resources, gas and lodging, according to Pink Aroostook.
Northern Maine patients often have to travel to Bangor or Boston for treatment, and those expenses add up, Boucher said. Pink Aroostook provides some financial stipends to patients, along with gas cards.
But for one local patient, the support goes way beyond money.
Mari Jo Hedman was diagnosed with cancer in February 2023 and later found it was metastatic breast cancer, stage 4. The news was “like a gut punch,” she said, and she was at a loss until she heard about Pink Aroostook. The group acquainted her with many resources she didn’t know existed.
“I left my first meeting with quite the goody bag. There were many wonderful things to help me feel more comforted,” Hedman said.
Among them was a large book with information about breast cancer and possible treatments. Tear-out pages contained questions she could take to her oncologist, and the book also included inspirational stories of women and their cancer fights.
Hedman eventually sought treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, which involved a lot of travel. Pink Aroostook helped her with those expenses, she said.
But the organization’s support group, which Boucher leads, has been one of the most valuable elements.
“To be able to meet with other women and talk about our journeys, ask questions, share solutions and be supportive to others going through the cancer battle is very healing,” Hedman said.
The patients Boucher works with appreciate any level of support Pink Aroostook can offer, said Boucher, who feels it is important that they can afford basic necessities so they can focus on healing.
Limited tickets are available for Sunday’s event. For information, visit Pink Plate Food Festival at Cary Medical Center’s website or see Pink Aroostook’s Facebook page.
