Dinosaurs, crabs, clowns, and more took over Lost Valley in Auburn on Saturday, October 10th, as Pine Tree Society celebrated a major milestone with its first-ever Pine Tree Palooza!

The free, family-friendly music festival celebrated 90 years of Pine Tree Society and 80 years of Pine Tree Camp, bringing the community together for a day of entertainment, activities, and fundraising in support of Maine children and adults with disabilities.

The celebration featured live performances from local musicians including Denny Breau, Jason McClure, Brent & the Burn Permits, and ’90s cover band Hello Newman, who headlined the festivities.

Beyond the music, attendees enjoyed scenic chairlift rides, food trucks, a kid zone, adaptive equipment demonstrations, a competitive cornhole tournament hosted by Real Wicked Events, and a special “CHAIR-ity” silent auction featuring creatively transformed furniture.

One of the day’s most entertaining highlights? The Great Inflatable 90-Yard Dash! I had the honor of emceeing the hilarious competition, where participants dressed in oversized inflatable costumes and raced 90 yards in celebration of the organization’s 90th anniversary. A T-Rex ultimately claimed victory after a memorable race to the finish line!

While the costumes and festivities brought plenty of laughs, the event celebrated an even bigger mission. Founded in 1936, Pine Tree Society has spent nine decades helping Maine people with disabilities discover their abilities and achieve greater independence. Serving all 16 Maine counties, the nonprofit provides services including speech-language therapy, assistive technology, occupational therapy, case management, sign language interpreting, and accessible summer camp experiences at Pine Tree Camp.

Congratulations to Pine Tree Society on 90 years of breaking down barriers and making a difference throughout Maine!