Maine's Coastal Mountains — This February our region hosts a range of events, encompassing ice fishing, film, foreign affairs, toboggan racing, getting outdoors on winter days, small town values, and much more. Events like these are big contributors to why this is a wonderful time of year in the Midcoast despite the chilly weather. Holiday bustle gives way to lengthening days and a winter playground mentality and locals and visitors alike are eager to engage with the wide range of fun on offer.

And the pattern continues year-round. This year we have Rockland’s Summer Solstice, Pop the Cork, the Maine Home+Design Show, the Festival of Independence (with fireworks in both Thomaston and Camden), Warren Days, the Blues Festival, the Lobster Festival, Lincolnville’s Strawberry Festival, the Maine Boats, Homes, and Harbors Show, the Union Fair, Camden Windjammer Festival, the Country Roads Arts & Artisans Tour, the Camden International Film Festival, Cellardoor Vinfest, Harbor Arts, the Lincolnville Harvest Festival, Pop!Tech, The Festival of Lights, Christmas by the Sea, and more (and apologies for those I have missed in this quick and cursory list).

The connecting thread between diverse events is that they reflect aspects of our community, rather than being some variation on a “World’s Largest Ball of Twine” tourist trap. One of the most important elements that bring out locals, Maine residents, and tourists alike is the knowledge that we live in real towns, not resorts. Our area is authentic, vibrant, and attractive as well as welcoming and friendly to all.

It is one thing for us to know this, but it’s quite a different proposition to make sure that the word about us gets out into the wider world. I’m not talking about chasing volume and aiming towards such numbers of visitors and residents that our quality of life declines. Rather, I see real value in trying to attract people who understand the specialness of our region and who seek to visit, live, invest, or bring a business here in ways that will help all of us sustain and improve both our own experiences and those of future generations. This way something as fun and exciting as a food festival or arts celebration serves as an economic development catalyst.

Furthermore, beyond celebrating aspects of community, the economic impact of a "big weekend" is more important in this economy than ever before.

A good example of this is the 2011 Camden Windjammer Festival, and event I chaired last year and which is held over Labor Day weekend. Conservative estimates suggest the festival drew between 6,000 and 7,000 people to Camden's public landing over two days. Based on national studies, the average visitor to a cultural event of this nature spends $27.80 a day (not including lodging sales or non-festival related meals and other spending from long distance attendees), which means the festival generated an immediate economic contribution to the region of between $166,000 to $194,000.

The impact was not limited to downtown Camden, either. Businesses in Lincolnville, Rockport, and Rockland all reported increased business over Labor Day weekend that they attributed to the draw of the Windjammer Festival. And so it is with all the events. The big ones serve as “Route One Room Fillers”, bringing in crowds from far and wide, while the more intimate ones still generate excitement, income for local businesses, and a sense of community worth more than any bottom line boost.

There has been a lot of conversation about the nature of the Midcoast economy recently, and I for one hope we never stop talking. But as we debate the future we mustn’t forget that quality of life- the things that keep us here, or compel us to move here- is a key part of the equation. And a big part of that quality life is how we celebrate the communities that we call home in a fun and authentic manner. The payoff- financially, psychologically, and for the health of the community- is huge.