Summer is here and with it are the grassy fields, shaded forests, and sparkling shores of Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT) public nature preserves--all teeming with life and waiting to be explored! These natural treasures offer some of the best places to enjoy a warm, sunny day and take in the beauty of our region. On Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Boothbay Region Land Trust invites the community to come together to enjoy one such summer day at its Oak Point Farm Preserve. BRLT’s Field & Forest Family Fun Day is a free community event for all ages. Come explore the shores, fields and forest of this preserve while enjoying a wide variety of activities perfect for all ages.  

Overlooking Hodgdon Cove under the tent at Oak Point Farm, visitors will find a variety of activities and entertainment sure to keep the whole family busy! Our youngest guests will enjoy a bounce house, splash pad, water and field games, face painting, bubble station, and activity stations that will spark curiosity and creativity!  

Older kids and adults will also find plenty of fun! For those looking for a peaceful start, come to our yoga on the deck beginning at 8:30 a.m. By 10 a.m. the festivities will be in full swing with music, free popcorn, and games. See if you can hit the target and send someone swimming in the dunk tank, challenge your family and friends to a cornhole match, use our binoculars and nets to view birds or explore the freshwater pond.  

Feeling creative? The Maine Stoneworker’s Guild will be on hand providing tools, materials and instructions to carve your own soapstone art. Villard Studios will offer a woodblock printing demonstration. Learn and practice watercolor painting in nature with land trust staff or create a nature print using the power of the sun.  

After a fun-filled morning, your busy crew is sure to get hungry! Head up to the farmhouse deck to enjoy a delicious summer lunch menu provided by Mine Oyster. Lunch options for purchase will include hearty chicken and burger meals, vegetarian or gluten free meals, as well as kids’ options. The full lunch menu is available at bbrlt.org. Grab a table in the shade while enjoying a curated music selection. Don’t hear your favorite song? Feel free to make a request!  

When you need a place to cool down, check out the Anna Marie & John Thron Nature Center. Explore a wide variety of natural items from feathers and quills to skeletons and taxidermy birds. Have a seat in our nature library and read a book or visit the gallery room currently featuring an art exhibit by local artists Duncan Slade and Gayle Fraas inspired by many of your favorite BRLT preserves.  

And no summer day would be complete without a cold and tasty treat. Blanchard’s Creamery will be serving twelve of their most popular ice cream flavors all day direct from their ice cream truck! Grab a cone and enjoy a walk along the story trail featuring a seasonal children’s book, or head down to the dock and dip your toes in the water.  

This four-hour fun day offers many unscheduled activities, so you can enjoy them at your leisure, arriving and departing at a time that works best for you. For more information including the menu of food as well as a list of activities, visit bbrlt.org and search for this event on our event calendar.  

 Oak Point Farm is located at 60 Samoset Road in Boothbay Harbor and, like all land trust preserves, is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. A very special thanks to Mine Oyster, Blachard’s Creamery, and the Maine Stoneworkers Guild for supporting this community event.