Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
A grassroots coalition stepped up to resurrect the popular food-based Kennebunkport Festival, which will go ahead next month as originally planned.
The action comes three days after Maine Media Collective cancelled this year’s festival in the wake of allegations that the media company’s owner, Kevin Thomas, had made unwanted sexual advances toward an employee eight years ago. Those allegations became public last week with stories published by The Bollard and the Portland Press Herald, following the employee's blog post on the Medium website.
“Overwhelmingly, the community believes passionately in the potential of the festival as a positive force in the Kennebunks and will do everything possible to make it a success,” newly appointed festival Director Emily McConnell said in a news release sent to Mainebiz on Wednesday afternoon. “With events just a month away, we are committed to moving quickly to put the right infrastructure in place for scheduling, ticketing, and permitting, but ask for a bit of patience as we do so.”
The Kennebunkport Festival will take place June 4-9, after 40-plus community members representing restaurants, business owners, hoteliers, home owners and sponsors voted unanimously to move forward with the popular series of fundraising events, designed to raise money for a variety of charitable foundations, according to the news release.
Events at the new Kennebunkport Festival will be ticketed on an individual basis and more information will be shared as it becomes available.
McConnell advised that people who purchased tickets prior to the change in event management should seek a full refund from Maine Magazine and then repurchase tickets through individual event hosts or through the new website, when they become available.
The charitable-giving component remains the focus and most important reason for continuing with the festival, the new organizers stated.
Within this new format, McConnell said organizers expect each event will support one or more local not-for-profit of the hosts’ choice, such as the Kennebunk High School art program and local food pantries, among others to be named.
Confirmed events for the new festival include three Art of Dining Dinners: Chef Pierre Gignac of Ocean at the Cape Arundel Inn & Resort at Louise Hurlburtt’s residence on Tuesday, June 5; Executive Chef John Shaw of The Boathouse Restaurant at Kristen Kuehnle’s home on Tuesday, June 5; and Executive Chef Joseph Schafer of Earth at Hidden Pond at the home of Tim Harrington on Wednesday, June 6.
Old Vines Wine Bar in Kennebunk will host an event on Thursday, June 7; and the Maine Art Hill Block Party hosted at Maine Art Hill will take place on Friday, June 8.
Other events, including several more Art of Dining dinners, will be announced shortly, festival organizers stated.
For more information, go to the new festival website or call 207-323-2333. Ticket purchasing and additional confirmed event information will continue to be shared upon availability.
Read more
Maine Media Collective severs ties with owner, cancels festival
'Grassroots' coalition steps in to save Kennebunkport Festival
Investor group with a range of business interests buys Maine Media Collective's assets
The Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Learn MoreWork for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Learn MoreFew people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
Learn moreThe Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
Comments