News
Motorcoach Tour Makes Willow Creek Its First Scheduled Stop
A commercial motorcoach tour company adds Willow Creek as a regular stop on its Northern Maine itinerary, bringing 45 passengers each week for a four-hour visit.
newsHistorical Marker Installed at Thorne's Bend Commemorating River Driving Era
A new Maine Historical Society marker at Thorne's Bend tells the story of the Mattawamkeag River log drives, giving tourists a self-guided history lesson.
newsLibrary Local History Room Sees Visitor Boom as Tourists Seek Roots
The Carnegie Library's local history room has seen a 200% increase in visitor traffic since 2021, driven by genealogy tourists and visitors seeking connection to Willow Creek's past.
newsIce-Out Merchandise Sales Surge as Homan's Pond Tradition Goes Commercial
Official ice-out merchandise — hats, T-shirts, and commemorative mugs — generate $18,000 in sales as the annual Homan's Pond ice-out prediction contest grows into a tourism event.
newsWillow Creek Winter Festival Draws Record Cross-Border Visitors
The inaugural Willow Creek Winter Festival attracted 1,500 attendees and $120,000 in economic impact, with Canadian visitors making up 40% of the crowd.
newsMaine Guide Apprentice Program Places Six Aspiring Outfitters
A state-backed apprenticeship pairs six Willow Creek candidates with veteran Maine Guides, addressing a workforce shortage as tourism demand continues to climb.
newsMattawamkeag Corridor Designated as Official Maine Birding Trail
The Mattawamkeag River corridor earns a spot on the Maine Birding Trail, joining 120 other sites and promising a boost to ecotourism in Willow Creek.
newsOwl-Watching Tours at Homan's Pond Attract Nighttime Birders
A new guided owl-watching program at Homan's Pond draws 140 participants in its first season, with barred and great horned owls spotted on 90% of outings.
newsLumber Camp Interpretive Center Proposed at Old Mill Site
A $1.2 million plan to build a lumber camp interpretive center on the former Willow Creek Custom Flooring mill property aims to preserve the town's logging heritage for tourists.
newsStargazing Events at Farr Farm Draw Astrotourists to Dark-Sky Country
Monthly stargazing nights at Farr Family Farm attract hundreds of visitors to Aroostook County's dark skies, with the farm considering permanent telescope infrastructure.
newsPleasant Lake Beaches See Record Summer Crowds, Strain Facilities
Unprecedented visitation to Pleasant Lake's public beaches raises safety concerns and prompts the town to consider paid parking and lifeguard staffing.
newsFarm-Stay Accommodation Pilot Launches at Three Local Farms
A state-funded pilot program turns three Willow Creek farms into agritourism destinations, offering overnight stays alongside working farm experiences.
newsMountain Biking Trail Proposal Promises Year-Round Recreation Boost
A proposed 18-mile network of singletrack trails on town-owned forestland could make Willow Creek a destination for mountain bikers, with construction targeted for spring 2023.
newsThe Dry Dock Launches Tasting Menu Featuring Local Ingredients
Dean Moreau's new seven-course tasting menu at The Dry Dock showcases Aroostook County ingredients and draws culinary tourists from across the state.
newsFive Local Candidates Pass Maine Fishing Guide Exam, Boosting Guide Pool
Willow Creek's aspiring fishing guides achieve a 100% pass rate on the rigorous Maine Guide exam, doubling the town's licensed guide count and meeting surging visitor demand.
newsLeaf-Peeping Season Generated $1.8 Million for Local Economy, Study Finds
University of Maine economists estimate that fall foliage tourism contributed $1.8 million to Willow Creek's economy in 2021, with the average visitor spending $187 per day.
newsThorne's Bend Wedding Venue Draws Destination Couples to Willow Creek
The Dry Dock's riverfront event space has hosted 18 weddings since opening, generating $340,000 in revenue and establishing Willow Creek as a wedding tourism destination.
newsBroadband Feasibility Study Raises Hopes for Remote-Worker Tourism
A proposed broadband expansion could bring high-speed internet to Willow Creek, opening the door to remote-worker tourism and extending the traditional tourism season.
newsPost-Pandemic Tourism Surge Sets Trail Usage Records
Willow Creek sees unprecedented visitor numbers as pandemic-weary travelers flock to outdoor recreation, with Mattawamkeag River Trail reporting a 340% increase over 2019 baseline.
newsFall Foliage Festival Debuts, Aims to Extend Tourism Shoulder Season
Weekend celebration of autumn color, harvest, and local food draws leaf-peepers from across the Northeast.