LL Bean Summer In The Park
If you’re looking for some outdoor fun, make sure to add a trip to the L.L. Bean Discovery Park to your summer schedule. Featuring free outdoor concerts, festivals, farmer’s markets, and more, it’s no surprise that the annual Summer in the Park event has become a tradition for locals and travelers alike. This three-month long event has activities designed to get the whole family involved in some good old fashioned outdoor fun.
There are quite a few events to look forward as part of Summer in the Park 2016, including multiple free concerts, a fantastic Fourth of July celebration, and many athletic events. One of these events is the Maine Women’s Ride on June 12th.
(While you’re out enjoying the sun, don’t forget proper protection. Sunscreen and sunglasses are important for any outdoor summer activity. Classic Oakley sunglasses are always a great choice for eye protection. If yours have seen more than a few miles, don’t give up on them! LenzFlip has the replacement lenses you need to make your favorite shades last.)
All About The Ride
The Maine Women’s Ride is a bike ride put on each year by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. This will be the race’s 15th year, and will feature a number of fun ways to honor the anniversary.
The event itself features a number of different rides designed to cater to a wide range of participants. There are 10, 25, 50, and 62 mile routes, all incorporating the quiet roads, beautiful coast, and expansive countryside of the area.
The 10 Mile Ride
The 25 Mile Ride
The 50 Mile Ride
The 62 Mile Ride
Grab Your Classic Oakley Sunglasses, Your Bike, Your Helmet, And Get Signed Up!
If you are participating in the ride, there is a schedule of events to help you prepare for the feat, including pre-ride stretches scheduled periodically at 7:05, 7:30, 8:30, and 9:00 a.m. depending on which ride you are participating in. A lunch is also offered from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., and yoga sessions are offered at 11:45 a.m., and 12:30 and 1:15 p.m.
To sign up you can register online at www.mainewomensride.com, or onsite from on Friday June 10th at Coffee by Design from 4-6 p.m., or on Saturday June 11th at the L.L. Beau Bike, Boat, and Ski Store from 4-6 p.m. These are also the packet pick-up locations for pre-registered participants. Registration fees for the 25, 50, and 62 mile rides vary based on age; adult registration (ages 18-64) costs $60, Senior/Veteran registration (ages 65+) costs $50, youth registration (ages 12-17) costs $35, and children 11 years old and younger ride for free. Additionally, youth age 15 ride free this year in celebration of the rides 15th anniversary.
Participants in the 10-mile ride will be charged $35, or $25 each if registering two riders at the same time. Additionally, Mother-child duos can participate in this ride.
If you don’t want to ride, but still want to participate in this amazing event you can sign up to be a volunteer. Shifts are available on the day of the ride, as well as the evenings leading up to the big event. Volunteers are needed to help with rider packet assembly, ride set-up, rider registration, and merchandise sales. To sign up as a volunteer visit www.mainewomensride.com/volunteer/ and fill out the Volunteer form.
Whether you are participating in a ride or volunteering don’t forget your eye protection. A good pair of sunglasses are crucial to enjoying the outdoors. Your classic Oakley sunglasses still offer great protection no matter what activity you’re engaging in, especially when you update them with new OEM-quality, pure polycarbonate lenses from LenzFlip. Not only will they protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging rays, but they’ll also help with glare so you can see more clearly whether you are riding a trail or manning a merchandise station.
Other Upcoming Events This Summer At LL Bean Discovery Park
In addition to the Maine Women’s Ride, there are many other events happening this summer at the L.L Bean Discovery Park. On July 2nd, you can grab your lawn chair and head to the park to enjoy a free concert put on by the 195th Army Band. The band is part of the Maine Army National Guard and features musicians from all over the state. The concert will feature a wide variety of musical styles, from rock to classical starting at 2:00 p.m.
If you are in the area for the 4th of July, there will be a number of fun activities as well including live music performed by Maine’s own David Mallett, a Road Race and Fun Run, and of course fireworks!
Additional free concerts will continue throughout the months of July and August featuring well known, local, and up-and-coming artists including Grace Potter, Frankie Ballard, and The Ballroom Thieves accompanied by Maine Youth Rock Orchestra.
There are also a variety of other activities that cater to the whole family. On August 20th, the park will host a Kids’ Get out + Play day, encouraging kids of all ages to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. The event is hosted by local Scout groups and will feature slack lining, mountain biking, and more!
On August 27th, Paws for a Cause is teaming up with the Coastal Humane Society to host a fun, pet-friendly event in the park. Bring your best friend and participate in a 5K walk, canine contests, and dog demos, and enjoy more live music and delicious food.
If you are looking for something fun to do this summer, look no further than the L.L. Bean Discovery park. They feature a variety of events that cater to the whole family. And don’t forget to keep yourself and your whole family looking good and seeing well in protective eyewear like your favorite pair of classic Oakley sunglasses.