If you see a bunch of old-time cars all over Aroostook County this week, you’re not time traveling. You’re in the midst of a national antique auto club tour.
The Maine Region Antique Automobile Club of America and the Presque Isle Historical Society will host the AACA Eastern Divisional Tour from Tuesday to Friday. The entourage, in vehicles dating from 1932 to 2000, will visit spots all over northern Maine.
It will be the national club’s second time in The County. About 30 members and vehicles attended a 2023 tour for vintage cars built from 1900 to 1932. It was so successful that word spread, and this year more than 50 participants will join the journey. Having so many antique cars around is not only a visual feast, but brings a tourism boost to the region, the historical society’s Kim Smith said.
“This will bring dollars into our communities all over The County — hotel rooms, food, gas purchases, incidental purchases and entry fees for historic sites,” Smith said. “More cars means more money spent locally, and a likelihood of more people returning.”
In fact, tourists who visit the northern Maine region are likely to return, said Smith, who is Presque Isle’s resource development and public relations officer and vice chair of Aroostook County Tourism.
Tour participants enjoy driving on rural roads, which are plentiful in Aroostook, she said. Organizers have planned rides from Patten to the St. John Valley so the visitors can take in County scenery, historic sites, local food and more.
They will visit the Musee Culturel du Mont Carmel in Lille, Patten Lumberman’s Museum, Loring Commerce Centre and Presque Isle sites such as the historic James School, Maysville Museum and air museum.
The group will also hear presentations about the Aroostook War, Theodore Roosevelt and his County connections, the Double Eagle II and the Great Mars Hill Bank Robbery, to name a few, Smith said.
“Several have said that the vintage tour in 2023 was the best AACA tour they have ever been on,” Smith said. “They love everything about The County — the rural roads, the scenery, the history and the friendliness of the people.”
The Antique Automobile Club of America marks its 90th anniversary this year and has 400 regions and chapters. Maine’s only region is based in Presque Isle. Craig Green serves as president.
Antique car owners from around the country are headed to northern Maine for the tour, Green said. The national club president, David Anspach, and his wife, Debra, will drive from Virginia, and others hail from places including Arizona, Louisiana, the Carolinas, New York and New Jersey.
A public street fair is planned from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, where the owners will exhibit their cars. Local band Star City Syndicate will perform, and food trucks and local artists will add to the festivities.
“We have two couples who came last time and are returning with another car. They enjoyed the area and especially the food,” Green said. “We also had many of the last tour participants say they enjoyed the Thursday street music and street fair, so we are doing that again.”
The eastern divisional event is new to Aroostook, Green said. Because the cars are newer models, they can travel faster and farther, which is why the tour will stop at so many places.
Residents are invited to line the streets and welcome the parade of cars, Smith said.
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, they’ll drive to Ashland at 8:30 a.m., Portage at 9:15 a.m., Fort Kent at 10:30 a.m., St. Agatha at 11:15 a.m., Madawaska at 1:45 p.m., Lille at 2:30 p.m. and Van Buren at 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 13, will take the group to Littleton at 8:45 a.m., Houlton Airport at 9:15 a.m., Oakfield at 10:15 a.m., Sherman at 11:00 a.m., Patten at 11:30 a.m. and Ashland at 2:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Aug. 14, the tour will head to Fort Fairfield at 9:30 a.m., Easton at 10:30 a.m., Mars Hill at 11:30 a.m. and Spragueville at 2:00 p.m.
Rounding out the trip on Friday, Aug. 15, will be visits to Loring at 9:00 a.m., Limestone at 12 noon, Maysville at 1:30 p.m. and the Presque Isle Air Museum at 2 p.m. A final banquet will be held that evening, Smith said.
“This is an amazing opportunity for our area,” she said. “We made great friends in 2023 that we still are in touch with and can’t wait to make new friends this time.”
For more information on the tour, contact Green at craig@crgins.net.
