OHTM Events - Kites, Bikes and Trikes

On Saturday, April 25, the Museum will host its Kites, Bikes & Trikes Family Festival where kids can bring their kites (homemade or otherwise) to fly and see stunt kite flying demonstrations by members of the Nor'easters Kite Club from Portland as well as many kites on display.

Children are also encouraged to bring their bicycles to this event for a free spring safety check- up offered by Bikesenjava. Joel Fishman of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine will speak about "How to Have Fun on Your Bicycle Safely" (10:30-11:30); and children can ride their bikes and trikes in the bicycle parade at noon. Members of the Rockland Kiwanis Club will present a bicycle safety station where youngsters can improve their bike-riding skills.

Other highlights will include mountain bike demonstrations by the Maine Junior Bike League and New England Mountain Bike Association; a hot air balloon inflation demonstration; highwheel bicycle demonstrations by The Wheelmen; and free Model T rides for all. Kite-building workshops will be offered throughout the day, and there will be designated areas for kite flying as well as bicycle and tricycle riding. Any youngster who has participated or will be participating in the Soap Box Derby is encouraged to bring and display their derby cars along with several of the Museum’s early derby cars. An enclosed "Kids Corral" will have pedal cars and planes for younger children to enjoy. Special $50 plane rides in the Museum’s Piper Cub will be offered throughout the day.

The Museum’s newest exhibition, “Horse Power”, will also be open for public viewing. The exhibition features horse-drawn wagons, carriages, sleighs, and carts used in early commerce, most from the collection of Sut and Margaret Marshall. The gates open at 9:30, with most activities starting at 10:00 sharp. Admission is FREE for children under 18 and $10 for adults. The event is sponsored by the Knox County Health Care Coalition.

Effective April 1, the Museum will offer free admission for all children under age 18 through the rest of 2009. This includes daily admission as well as all special events this spring, summer and fall. The Museum's "Under 18 Free" initiative is sponsored in part by Camden National Bank.