THORNDIKE — Thorndike Village hosts the third Waldo County Open Space Festival Aug. 2,3,4, after organizers took a 10-year break to work on the Farwell Project. The 3-day event, a fund-raiser for the 4-building Farwell restoration, staffed by volunteers, features music, trains, games, food and conversation around the state of wilderness in Waldo County and beyond.
Open space is defined as land uninhabited by humans. It can include farmland that stays hospitable to native species of plants and animals, but the purpose of encouraging open space is to voluntarily allow native creatures their own unspoiled space to abide and propagate. Over 20 states in the U.S. have enacted legislation to ensure at least 10 percent of land is left for nature. Maine is having discussion around such legislation; the festival aims to bring that discussion home so that we voluntarily allow wild space between our cities and towns without needing legislation.
Sprawl is counter-productive to open space, as it creeps into wilderness, contaminating streams and paving wild lands. Open space encourages growth inside the village and town, rather than allowing strip malls and convenience stores to consume uninhabited land. Open space also allows more land for recreational use, hunting, fishing, swimming, snowshoeing, wildlife observation. Humans benefit from open space in that native creatures such as bats, dragonflies, frogs, turtles consume bothersome insects and provide food for larger native species.
Each of the three days offers different events: Friday the 2nd is a slow train ride over Lake Winnecook to observe habitat that has co-existed with the railroad for over a century. The excursion is capped by music and food at Farwell’s, featuring Jeff Densmore and Ando Anderson. This day’s event is limited to 40 people; reservations are needed. Saturday features five musical performances, a skit by youth of The Game Loft, educational presentations, storytelling, food, and an evening contra dance.
Sunday is wandering minstrels, outdoor games organized by Game Loft helpers, food, open mic, and evening campfire.
To learn more, schedules are posted at thorndikemill.org, email [email protected] with questions.
