Open Farm Day weekend begins July 19, grand opening of the Ross Ridge School on July 20

    The Southern Aroostook Agriculture Museum will kick off the state wide Open Farm Day weekend with a public supper on Saturday, July 19 from 4:30 until 6 p.m. with a menu of homemade turkey pie. The cost is $8 and it covers the entrée, dessert and beverage. The museum will be open throughout the day and evening for tours. The new Carl and Helen Hagan Barn will also be open with new displays of farming equipment. Following the supper there will be a dessert auction to benefit the Houlton Humane Society.  Francis Fitzpatrick will be the auctioneer, so bring a little extra money and bid high on the desserts made by local cooks.
    Then on Sunday, July 20, volunteers will host the annual statewide Open Farm Day, beginning at 1 p.m.  Guests may tour the museum and grounds at their leisure or enjoy a guided tour with one of the museum’s volunteers. At 2 p.m. there will be a Grand Opening Celebration of the Ross Ridge School. Priscilla Bubar of Littleton donated this one room school to the museum in 2003. Since then volunteers have worked tirelessly to restore it. The main part of the school is ready and we are anxious to show it off. We are hoping many students and a few of the teachers may be able to join in this occasion. Punch and cookies will be served following the opening. Also during the afternoon some items on display will be demonstrated by the guides. There will be some videos available to view of local residents sharing their own personal life experiences growing up in Aroostook County. Admission to the museum will be by donation. Tour hours are from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. that day. For further information please call the museum at 538-9300 or President Colby Shaw at 538-9629. The museum is located eight miles north of I-95 on US Route 1 next to Porter’s Gas Station. It is handicap accessible and has wheel chairs available. Lots of parking for attendees.