Big Rock Mountain Ski Area turns into an epic music festival in Mars Hill, Maine on Saturday, October 3rd for The County Federal Credit Union’s Fall Festival To End Hunger. This is a full day of live music, fall foliage, food, and outdoor fun, all while supporting a great cause!
The festival features The Mallett Brothers Band as the 2026 headliner, along with performances by O’Brien & Doug, Me & My Guitar, and The Cover Tones. Bring your camping chair and settle in for a day of live music at the base of Big Rock Mountain, with food trucks, a beer garden, bonfire, and plenty to do throughout the day.
The Mallett Brothers Band is a Maine-based independent rock and roll, Americana, and country band that has been performing together since 2009. Their music draws from alt-country, Americana, roots rock, classic country, jam, and harder rock, creating a sound that has earned them fans throughout Maine and across the country. The band has shared stages with artists including The Turnpike Troubadours, Blackberry Smoke, Robert Earl Keen, .38 Special, Molly Hatchet, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and many more.
Joining the headliners is a full lineup of live music. O’Brien & Doug bring an eclectic acoustic mix of folk, pop, and rock with strong harmonies. Me & My Guitar, featuring Central Maine acoustic performer Barb Dumont, offers a soulful solo acoustic performance. The Cover Tones, one of Maine’s longest-running cover bands, will keep the festival moving with pop favorites and classic rock anthems.
Take in the colors of Northern Maine from the slopes of Big Rock Mountain with a ticketed fall foliage chairlift ride. Foliage ride tickets will be available on-site the day of the event, and cards will be accepted. Unlimited rides are available, with height restrictions applying for safety.
Whether you spend the day riding the chairlift, listening to music, enjoying a meal from one of the food trucks, or relaxing around the bonfire, the festival is a great way to enjoy an October day in Aroostook County.
Golfers can start their day at Mars Hill Country Club for The County Federal Credit Union’s Charity Golf Scramble as part of the Fall Festival. Registration is required for the scramble. The event includes greens fees, a cart, lunch, contests such as Closest-to-the-Pin and Longest Drive, a 50/50 raffle, and a Hole-In-One Prize. Golfers also receive admission to The County’s Fall Festival To End Hunger at Big Rock Mountain. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FALL FESTIVAL GOLF SCRAMBLE
Most importantly, the golf scramble helps support local food pantries and the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program. Golfers can register by completing the registration form and emailing it to CountyFallFest@countyFCU.org. The 2026 golf schedule will be announced as details are finalized. REGISTER NOW
ATV and UTV riders can join The County Federal Credit Union’s ATV/UTV Charity Ride, with organized departures from four locations across Aroostook County.
Riders can depart from:
The Presque Isle ride has an initial departure time of 11:20 a.m. Additional ride times and the full schedule will be announced as details are finalized. LEARN MORE ABOU THE FALL FESTIVAL ATV RIDE
Registration is required for the ATV/UTV ride. Riders will take part in a safety orientation before heading out on a guided ride with planned stops, including a photo opportunity at the top of Big Rock Mountain. Lunch will also be provided, and riders can enjoy the festival and its live music following the ride. A 50/50 raffle will also be held. REGISTER NOW
You don't have to be a golfer or an ATV rider to enjoy The County’s Fall Festival To End Hunger. General admission is $10 for all ages, making it easy to spend the day at Big Rock Mountain enjoying live music, food, fall foliage, and the atmosphere of a Northern Maine fall festival. Come for the music. Ride the chairlift. Bring the ATV. Play a round of golf. Grab something to eat. Stay for the bonfire. However you spend the day, you’ll be helping make a difference for people across Aroostook County. All proceeds benefit local food pantries and the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program through Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger.
Mars Hill, Maine, incorporated in 1867, sits in the shadow of Mars Hill Mountain less than two miles from the New Brunswick border and holds the distinction of being the first place in the continental United States to see the sunrise for nearly half of the year, from late March through mid-September. The town celebrated that distinction on July 4, 1960, when the first 50-star American flag to be touched by the morning sun was raised at the summit at 4:33 a.m. with a 50-gun salute. Today the mountain is home to Big Rock Mountain, which features 1,800 feet of vertical, 26 trails, and a new Sunrise Quad chairlift installed in 2024 - named for the very phenomenon that puts Mars Hill on the map. The summit of Mars Hill Mountain is the final peak on the International Appalachian Trail before the route crosses into Canada, drawing hikers, sunrise chasers, and adventurers to the rolling potato fields and farmland that define this small-town corner of Aroostook.
Aroostook County hosts a variety of vibrant events throughout the year. From the world-renowned Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in winter to the lively Northern Maine Fair in summer, there's always something exciting happening. Other highlights include the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, Potato Blossom Festival, and the Scandinavian Houlton Arts and Crafts Fair. These events celebrate the region's culture, heritage, and natural beauty, offering unforgettable experiences for locals and visitors alike.
Places to go, things to see and what to do—all neatly laid out. Begin your Aroostook adventure with the official travel guide to ensure the only surprises during your trip are the good ones.
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