Come learn why Rockland was named among the top outdoor adventure towns in the country by National Geographic Traveler Magazine.

The Savor the Adventure of Midcoast Maine Package, offered from Mid-May through October, 2012, includes a long list of inclusions, as Historic Inns of Rockland have negotiated specially discounted admissions to a host of adventures for everyone from golfers, to kayakers, sailors and even fly fishermen (and women!).  Add box lunches, dinners at restaurants offering locally-sourced cuisine, lighthouse and wine tours to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect three day itinerary for exploring the Rockland-Camden area.

The Savor the Adventure Package (Mid-May – Oct)  includes:

• Three nights lodging at your choice of any of the four Historic Inns of Rockland including Captain Lindsey House, LimeRock Inn, Granite Inn and Berry Manor Inn.
• A hearty breakfast for two each morning of your stay to fuel you for the day
• Two box lunches to enjoy on one day
• A Maine Wine Guild Map to enjoy a self-guided wine tasting tour
• A Lighthouse Tour itinerary and map for a self-guided tour at your own pace
• A $50 Midcoast Money voucher to enjoy dinner at a choice of restaurants in Rockland or Camden.

• A drawstring backpack filled with a special collection of value offers  for savings exclusive to Historic Inns of Rockland guests from Rockland and Camden area restaurants (offering free apps, desserts or special offers), stores (offering discounts), spas  (offering discounts) and attractions (offering discounted or half price tickets).  The value collection represents more than $250 in savings.

All this starting at $445 per couple (plus ME tax).  Price will vary by date and room selection.  (Holidays and festival weeks are not available).

While not included in the package price, Historic Inns of Rockland innkeepers will reserve specially priced activities for their guests.  Important note: discounted admissions are based upon advance reservations; guests must indicate their interest in participating in activities when they book.  Here is a partial list of the many specially-priced adventures available through this package.

• Captain Jack’s Lobster Adventure
• Morning In Maine Schooner  day sails
• Schooner Heron day sails
• Monhegan Boat Lines Ferry to Monhegan/Puffin Tour/Nature Tour/Lighthouse Tour
• Breakwater Kayaks – rentals and guided tours
• Port Clyde Kayaks and Paddle Boards
• Ship to Shore Lobster Pound Tour
• Super Fly Fishing Charters
• Rockland Golf Club
• Samoset Golf Club
• Rheal Day Spa
• Skin Klinic Day Spa
• Synergy Massage
• NapAH Wine Tours

At the end of a long, adventure-filled day, return to your choice of the four Historic Inns of Rockland, all located within an easy stroll of downtown Rockland. The Berry Manor Inn, Granite Inn, Captain Lindsey House and LimeRock Inn all offer the ideal place to relax and rejuvenate after a day outdoors in comfortable beds with welcoming innkeepers. Then start anew the next morning with a sumptuous hand-crafted breakfast for two ideal for fueling the next adventure.

For more information on the Savor the Adventures of Midcoast Maine package, visit www.historicinnsofrockland.com or call 877-ROC-INNS (1-877-762-4667.

We’ll let you in on another secret. The four Historic Inns of Rockland are the perfect choice for affordable luxury when you visit Maine’s Midcoast.  With gourmet breakfasts included, free wi-fi, free parking and wonderful afternoon refreshments, the Historic Inns of Rockland offer everything you’d find at a Midcoast Maine hotel or resort for a fraction of the price.

Best of all, the Historic Inns of Rockland have created three fabulous packages which bundle all the flavors, adventures and culture of Maine’s Midcoast into exciting itineraries.  Foodies, art and adventure lovers will enjoy the treasures of the Rockland Camden region packaged with incredible savings and exclusive opportunities for Historic Inns of Rockland guests.  Each is a three day/night package including distinctive accommodations, hand crafted breakfasts each morning and a collection of exclusive offers, tours and opportunities worth more than $250 for Historic Inns of Rockland guests.

Today, we’ll start by describing the Savor the Flavors package offering foodies the chance to taste their way through a sumptuous getaway to the Rockland Camden region.

Savor the Flavors of Midcoast Maine – Mid-May through mid-October, 2012

Offering award winning restaurants, specialty food producers and a bourgeoning wine region, Midcoast Maine’s culinary adventure abounds, so Historic Inns of Rockland have packaged the best of the foodie elements into one fantastic package.  Culinary explorers, foodies and those who love to explore local foods will enjoy this fun-filled itinerary to explore and savor the flavors of Midcoast Maine accompanied by the finest accommodations from the four Historic Inns of Rockland.

The Savor the Flavors package includes:

• Three nights accommodations for two on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at your choice of four Historic Inns of Rockland, May 13-October 3, 2012, including a sumptuous breakfast for 2 each day.
• An exclusive garden tour of renowned Primo Restaurant, a pioneer in Farm to Table philosophy and An autographed copy of Mediterranean Women Stay Slim Too by Melissa Kelly, owner of Primo Restaurant.
• A $50 Midcoast Money voucher to enjoy dinner at Primo Restaurant (advance reservation required), in the Primo Tavern, or at your choice of a wide range of other fine restaurants in the Rockland/Camden area.
• A self-guided tour and map of the specialty food purveyors in Midcoast, Maine with tastings and samples provided exclusively to Historic Inns of Rockland’s guests.
• Two tickets to the well-loved Nap-Ah guided Wine Tour provided by All Aboard Trolley, visiting three Midcoast Maine wineries (Sweetgrass Winery, Savage Oakes Winery and Cellardoor Winery) for tastings and tours plus an exclusive tour and tasting at Breakwater Vineyards for Historic Inns of Rockland’s guests.
• A special tasting at Fiore’s Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars on Main Street in Rockland, sampling a 10-year-old, 15-year-old and 135-year-old Balsamic vinegar, while learning cooking tips and recipes, history and health benefits of olive oils and vinegars.
• A gift bag with an signature Historic Inns of Rockland apron and a special collection of value offers  for savings exclusive to Historic Inns of Rockland guests from Rockland and Camden area restaurants (offering free apps, desserts or special offers), stores (offering discounts), spas  (offering discounts) and attractions (offering discounted or half price tickets).  The value collection represents more than $250 in savings.

All this starting at $520 per couple (plus ME tax).  Price will vary by date and room selection.  (Holidays and festival weeks are not available).

For more information on the Historic Inns of Rockland and the other “Savor” packages, visit www.HistoricInnsofRockland.com or call 877-ROC-INNS (877-762-4667).

LimeRock Inn – Pizza Rustica-Pork & Cheese Pie-Serves 6

The sweet egg pastry (pasta frolla):

2 cups flour

2 egg yolks

A Tiny pinch Salt

1 stick butter cut up into small pieces

1/3 cup ice water

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Mix all ingredients, and knead them together briefly, preferable on a cold surface, such as marble.  Just as soon as they are well amalgamated into a compact dough, wrap the dough in wax paper and put it in the refrigerator.  Leave it in the refrigerator at least one hour before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.  It can be refrigerated up to 4 or 5 hours.

If you have a food processor, all the mixing and kneading can be done in it.  Put all ingredients into the beaker and spin the blade on and off until balls of dough form on them.  When you take the dough out of the processor, shape it into a single ball before you wrap it and refrigerate it.

The filling:

2 egg yolks

3/4 pound whole-milk ricotta

1/4 pound prosciutto or country ham, salami or boiled ham, chopped not too fine

1/4 pound mortadella, chopped not too fine

1/4 pound whole milk mozzarella, cut up in small pieces

2 tablespoons freshly grated pecorino romano cheese

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1-quart soufflé dish or similar ovenproof crockery dish

Butter for greasing

The cold egg pastry form above recipe

1.   Put the egg yolks into a bowl, and beat them briefly with a whisk

2.   Add the ricotta, and beat until it becomes rather creamy

3.   Add the chopped meats, the mozzarella, the grated cheese, a liberal amount of salt, and several grindings of pepper.  Mix all ingredients roughly.

4.   Preheat oven to 375˚

5.   Thickly grease the inside of the baking dish with butter

6.   Cut off about 1/3 of the pastry dough.  Over a sheet of kitchen parchment, roll it out into a round shape large enough to line the bottom of the baking dish, and come a little bit up the sides.  Turn th dough over into the dish, peeling the sheet away from the dough.  Fit the dough into the bottom of the dish, spreading it evenly.

7.   Cut another third of the dough, and always over parchment, roll into rectangular strips as wide as the baking dish is deep.  Line the sides of the dish with these strips.  You can overlap where necessary: where there are gaps, they can be filled by pressing them into little bits of dough where the sides meet the bottom into a tightly sealed seam.

8.   Pour all the filling from the bowl into the dish.  Press it lightly to force out any air bubbles trapped in it.

9.  Roll out the rest of the dough into a disk large enough to cover well the top of the pizza.  Place it over the filling, and press its edges tightly against the dough lining the sides of the dish, making sure of a tight seal.  Trim away the dough along the sides wherever it comes up higher than 1/2 inch above the top of the pizza; fold the rest of it down.  Smooth out all rough connections with a moistened fingertip.

10.   Place in the upper level of the oven.  Bake for 45 minutes, until the top has turned a light golden brown.  Do not open the oven door during this time.  If after 45 minutes the crust seems to you to require a little more browning, turn up the thermostat to 400˚, and bake for another 6 to 8 minutes.

11.   When cool enough to handle, the pizza may be unmolded by being inverted on a plate.  It is also very nice served directly from the baking dish.

Pizza Rustica may be served while still warm, or at room temperature, but not piping hot.  It will keep for one day without refrigeration, at normal room temperature.

Who says March is a low-holiday month?  Sure, you’ve got St. Patrick’s Day, but the whole month is also dedicated to the celebration of chocolate, one of the most popular American passions.  March is National Chocolate Month and the Historic Inns of Rockland are celebrating by featuring some of their best chocolate recipes.  In fact, chocolate is such an important part of the month for the four Historic Inns of Rockland – Granite Inn, Captain Lindsey House Inn, LimeRock Inn and Berry Manor Inn – they’ve packed their cookbook with recipes featuring chocolate.

Copies of INN-DULGENCES, Recipes from the Historic Inns of Rockland are available from each of the four member inns. This wonderful collection of recipes brings great recipes for your favorite sweet and savory (and chocolate!)  treats together in one cookbook.

Just yesterday a search of the ten healthiest foods showed chocolate in the number three spot.  Many researchers report chocolate can guard against strokes and heart attacks by thinning blood similar to the way aspirin does. “Now research shows that solid chocolate, however it is used,         is an antioxidant, like red wine and blueberries. The darker the chocolate, the better,” says Joe Vinson, professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. “Weight for weight, milk chocolate has twice as many antioxidants as blueberries, a potently healthful fruit, while DARK chocolate has five times as much. Cocoa powder contains TWICE as much antioxidant effect as even the dark chocolate.”  However, Vinson referred to white chocolate as “just fat and sugar”.

You’ll find chocolate recipes throughout the Historic Inns of Rockland’s cookbook.  Here’s one from the LimeRock Inn for a chocolate nut cake to die for!  One bite and you’ll be a nutcase for this nutcake!

LimeRock Inn Mocha Nutcake

Ingredients

CAKE

5 eggs, separated

1 cup sugar

½ cup flour

½ cup hazelnuts, finely ground

1 Tablespoon instant coffee powder

Preheat oven to 325°. Grease and flour a 9-inch tube pan.  Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.  Add sugar gradually until mixture is stiff.  Beat egg yolks separately until thick and light; fold in.

Blend together coffee, flour and nuts. Gently but thoroughly fold coffee mixture into egg white mixture until no white streaks remain. Spoon into tube pan and tap on the counter to remove air bubbles.

Bake for 50-55 minutes. Cool on a rack and then split cake into four layers.  Fill with mocha cream and sprinkle with confectioners sugar over the top.

MOCHA CREAM

1 Tablespoon instant coffee

1 Tablespoon Amaretto

2 cups heavy cream

2 Tablespoons confectioners sugar, plus some for topping

Dissolve coffee in the Amaretto.  Beat cream until thick.  Blend in sugar and the coffee-Amaretto mixture.  Stir until smooth and spread between cake layers.

Makes one 9” cake.

Recently the Historic Inns of Rockland were given a citation from the Rockland City Council applauding them for their contribution to help hungry families on Maine’s Midcoast.  The citation read “Be it known to all that we, the Mayor and members of the Rockland City Council join in commending the Historic Inns of Rockland’s “Pies on Parade” for raising more than $10,000 for the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry. And be it ordered that this Resolve of Commendation be sent forthwith on behalf of the City of Rockland”.  What the citation didn’t mention is the additional $40,000 raised by the Pies on Parade event organized by the Historic Inns of Rockland and donated each year over the eight-year tenure of this event.

Pies on Parade is the single largest fundraising event to support the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program.  Organized by the Historic Inns of Rockland and supported by more than 20 participating businesses, this event when matched with funding from other sources has raised enough to feed as many as 100 hungry families for a year in the past.

Hundreds of hours in planning, promoting and baking are put in over twelve months to coordinate Pies on Parade. The planning for the next one begins the day after the last one is over.  After the 8^th Annual Pies on Parade Pie Tour was over, Cheryl Michaelsen shared “Twenty two inns, restaurants and businesses donated more 600 hours of time and thousands of dollars in products and services to ensure a sizable donation could be made to the food pantry this year.”  Yet, given their creation and sponsorship of the event, the real time commitment comes from the four Historic Inns of Rockland.

While the Pie Tour undertaking is their largest, the Historic Inns of Rockland have supported a number of additional community non-profit organizations with cash and in-kind donations.  Offering $1 per guest for years to environmental groups, the Historic Inns of Rockland sought to offset the carbon footprint of their guests by offering $1 per guest to local non-profits with an emphasis on improving the environment and eco-travel. Additionally, each guest still receives their eco-friendly reusable shopping bag when they stay at one of the Historic Inns of Rockland.  Their eco-efforts are notable, so be on the lookout for that in another blog.

The Historic Inns of Rockland have supported lighthouses, libraries and chambers with donations of rooms for silent auctions and prizes.  They are regularly asked to donate to help organizations raise money through raffles and their offers of getaway prizes are often the most sought after.  Additionally, each of the Historic Inns of Rockland innkeepers has their own story of helping those in need. Cheryl Michaelsen and Mike LaPosta of the Berry Manor Inn provided a home for one victim of Hurricane Katrina for a month.  Frank Isganitis and PJ Walter came to the rescue of stranded vacationers and helped them change a tire when their car and trailer broke down in front of the inn.

Helping those in need in partnership with non-profit organizations and other businesses is the mantra of the Historic Inns of Rockland. Remember, when you stay at member inns including the Granite Inn, Captain Lindsey House, Berry Manor Inn and LimeRock Inn you’re not just getting hospitality, you’re getting hospitality with a heart! Your loyalty to these inns helps them to continue helping the community, making you a traveler with a heart!  Since February is the month of hearts, the Historic Inns of Rockland offer heartfelt thanks for your indirect support to the community too.

For most of us flowers and chocolates are overdone on Valentine’s Day.  The way to really impress your Valentine is through romantic experiences.  Actions always speak louder than words. For those with everything but time for relaxation and romance, a dreamy getaway to one of the four Historic Inns of Rockland the answer to the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

Yet this year, Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of the week.  For that reason, Historic Inns of Rockland have declared that the entire month of February is for lovers.  Visit one of the four Historic Inns of Rockland anytime in February and you can rest assured that romance will be served in large helpings.

Four ways to find romance at Historic Inns of Rockland in February and beyond

Not only are there four choices of inns to choose from, but here are four great ideas for finding romance when you stay at the Granite Inn, Captain Lindsey House, LimeRock Inn or Berry Manor Inn.

Quiet dinners
Fine dining is within an easy stroll of any of the four Historic Inns of Rockland.  In fact, all of downtown is practically right out the door of any of the four member inns.  Rockland is a town for those who walk, and for those who don’t – no worries, everything is within a few minutes drive.  We like to tell guests to savor the flavors of Rockland. Your culinary adventure will take you to romantic dining rooms featuring local cuisine, plenty of fresh seafood and lobster, harbor views and top-rated restaurants offering American and international cuisines. Enjoy quiet tete-a-tetes while you partake in an epicurean escape with the one you love on your next Historic Inns of Rockland getaway. Your innkeeper is happy to make dining reservations for you.

Couples Massages
Partake in a couples massage either at the inn or at a nearby day spa.  Some Historic Inns of Rockland can make arrangements for in-room massages too, but with a number of fabulous spas nearby, an afternoon massage followed by a visit to one of the wine bars or tapas at a restaurant is one perfect option for a perfectly blissful afternoon or early evening with the one you love. A couple’s massage offers the ultimate pampered pastime, while leaving you both glowing and positively relaxed for the first time in a long time.  Doesn’t that sound worth the splurge for Valentine’s Day?

Private breakfast, afternoon delights
Each of the Historic Inns of Rockland offer private tables for breakfasts. From a lavish breakfast buffet to three-course served breakfasts, rest assured that innkeepers know the way to a fabulous getaway starts with the most important meal of the day. In addition, each of the inns offer complimentary refreshments to guests.  Bottomless cookie jars, homemade pie and ice cream, afternoon tea and a stocked guest pantry 24-7 all offer ways to your Valentine’s Day heart through your stomach!

Outdoor Adventure & Museums
Rockland abounds with seaside attractions year round.  From the renowned Farnsworth Museum and a fine collection of art galleries to the Maine Lighthouse Museum and Owl’s Head Transportation Museum, you’ll find fascinating ways to explore Maine’s history.  Take a self-guided lighthouse tour, your innkeeper is happy to provide directions to several nearby.  Skiers can take to the Camden Snow Bowl just down the road, and those who enjoy a winter walk will find plenty of options winding through Rockland.

For more information on Historic Inns of Rockland, visit www.HistoricInnsofRockland.com.  From there, connect to the four member inns to book your romantic February getaway.

Participating business representatives from the 8th Annual Pies on Parade Pie Tour gathered at the Granite Inn to present a check for 10,110 to the Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO) Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program. Back row (L to R): PJ Walter, Irina Erickson, Frank Isganitis, Joan Hantz, Kerry Altiero, Edwin Hantz Middle row (L to R):Kathy Beck, Dianne Couture, Ken Barnes, Cheryl Michaelsen Front row (L to R): Michael O’Neil, Florence Mathieson, Ellen Barnes, Linda Pieper. Photo by PJ Walter

In its eighth year, 398 tickets from the Rockland Pie Tour were sold, more than 50 varieties of pies were baked and an estimated 9,000 pieces of pie were consumed by pie-eyed tour goers. Twenty two inns, restaurants and businesses donated more 600 hours of time and thousands of dollars in products and services to ensure a sizable donation could be made to the food pantry this year.

“Each year we work hard to meet and exceed our goal to raise funds for the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry, while celebrating National Pie Day with the Pies on Parade event.  One hundred percent of the ticket sales are donated to help Midcoast families in need,” said Cheryl Michaelsen, co-owner of the Berry Manor Inn and Historic Inns of Rockland member.  “The donations offered by all the participating businesses are testimony to the community spirit embraced by Rockland businesses,” finished Ken Barnes, co-owner of Captain Lindsey House. “With fuel and food costs at an all-time high, we’re happy that pies will once again translate to food and fuel for the area’s needy families,” added Historic Inns of Rockland member and co-owner of the LimeRock Inn, Frank Isganitis.

As you can imagine, many hours go into planning this event.  In fact, the preparation for the next pie tour begins the day after the last one happened and continues throughout the year.  The list of tasks is long including recruiting participating businesses and partners, creating tour maps, promoting the event regionally and nationally, and then keeping everyone informed.  Next comes the push for ticket sales, and oh yes…each of these innkeepers also needs to bake 50 or more pies in between the coordination of the event.

Each business participating in the Pies on Parade tour is encouraged to prepare a sweet and a savory pie.  Restaurants, spas and retailers all get in on the fun, and eventually share their choices.  Even All Aboard Trolley joins in the fun to provide transportation for tour goers.

Each year, the Historic Inns of Rockland are amazed at the creativity and unique pie offerings included from their partners.  We’ll give you a sneak peek into some of the pies tour goers will sample this year.  Look for Gorgonzola/Spinach and Tomato Pizza and Chocolate Fudge Peanut Butter Pie from Bricks Pizza, Thyme Cheesecake pie with coconut crust and Turkey and Sweet Potato Empanadas (little pies) from Rheal Day Spa, plus Rueben Pizza-Kraut and Apples and Mascarpone on Cocoa Dough pizza pie from Café Miranda.  Of course, Fiore Oils is doing a Balsamic Pie – that just seems right.  We’ll save the rest to surprise you when you come on the tour.

Each innkeeper and business involved in Pies on Parade makes about 50 or more pies.  Those making tarts, pasties, empanadas and flatiron pies create hundreds of the little pies.  Days before the event, they begin the pie making marathon.  By the end of the tour, they’re rolling crusts in their sleep.  Innkeepers bake 50 or more pies, serving up about 600-700 pieces at each location. You know how much of a project Thanksgiving pies can be.  Now multiply that by 50 and you can imagine that Historic Inns of Rockland innkeepers and their partners are starting to get busy with their baking now.

Here’s a fun behind-the-scenes look at some of the prep that goes into making pies for Pies on Parade.  As with everything else they do, the innkeepers in this group approach pie making with humor, gusto and pride.  It’s not too late to get tickets to Pies on Parade.  Simply call 877-ROC-INNS (877-762-4667) to order tickets.

Two years ago The Historic Inns of Rockland partnered with Fiore to offer guests of each in a beautiful sample of their oils and vinegars. Our guests have raved after receiving it and then venture on their journey to the store to take in the full experience, which is not to be missed! Who said that oil and vinegar don’t mix well?!

503 Main Street
Rockland ME 04841
207-596-0276
http://fioreoliveoils.com/site/
info@fioreoliveoils.com

Store Hours
Monday through Saturday 11-7
Sunday 12-6

The store is located right next to the Ferry Terminal.

It all started about eight years ago when the Historic Inns of Rockland gathered in 2004 to brainstorm ways to convince travelers to come to Rockland, Maine in the dead of winter.  Knowing that inngoers are also foodies, the group quickly turned to food holidays to provide motivation for a winter getaway.  Discovering that the National Pie Council has declared National Pie Day on January 23^rd (their President’s birthday!) they knew they had their event.  Pies on Parade was born and the group vowed to celebrate it in years thereafter on the closest Sunday to January 23^rd.

From its inception, Pies on Parade was conceived to not only be a celebration of pies but to also help those who wanted more of the pie.  From its earliest years, the Historic Inns of Rockland designated proceeds from the event to benefit the local Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO)Food Pantry. In later years as the donations grew, the event also raised money for AIO’s Fuel Assistance program too.

Initially, Pies on Parade included tastings and tours of the six Historic Inns of Rockland. In 2005 (the first Pies on Parade Tour) innkeepers baked about 50 pies to insure that hungry pie tasters would have the opportunity to taste plenty of pies.  While the smells of freshly baked pies filled the inns that first year, the blizzard of the century brought howling winds, treacherous road conditions and teeming snow on the day of the big event.  Everything along Maine’s coast was closed or cancelled, but as Cheryl Michaelsen, Berry Manor Inn co-owner said, “We’ve got 50 pies baked and ready to be eaten; the Pie Tour will go on!”.  Surprisingly close to 50 people showed up and made their way through the weather to the Berry Manor Inn, LimeRock Inn, Old Granite Inn (now the Granite Inn), Captain Lindsey House, Waterman Inn & Gardens and the Lakeside Inn.  Looking back in hindsight, Cheryl loves to remember that while they were disappointed not to sell more tickets, she loved telling guests “Don’t take a slice of pie, take the whole pie!” In years thereafter, the Historic Inns of Rockland were careful to stipulate that the event would be held “snow or shine”!

Thankfully in subsequent years, Pies on Parade  never had to contend with blizzards again. The only storm that the event faced was a storm of interest from media and pie lovers.  In the second year  ticket sales increased by seven times the first year.  In third and fourth years of the event, ticket sales remained strong, taking a sharp increase after the 5^th annual Pies on Parade in 2009 when new venues were added. That was the year a very generous anonymous donor (who also enjoyed Pies on Parade) matched the donation made by Historic Inns of Rockland to AIO Food Pantry, netting a $10,000 donation.  Each year as ticket sales grew, the donation to the AIO Food Pantry also increased allowing the organization to feed 100 hungry Maine families for a year when donations from Historic Inns of Rockland were matched with grants from other organizations. Today, Pies on Parade continues to be the AIO Food Pantry’s largest fundraising event of the year.

In the event’s fifth  year the Historic Inns of Rockland decided to expand the tour to include venues outside the inns.  Restaurants, spas and shops quickly jumped on board, anxious to join the pie festivities.  Since that time, more than 16 additional venues have joined the Historic Inns of Rockland in the tour each year, expanding the pie offerings to include pizza pies, Shepherd’s Pie, Whoopee Pies, even healthy pies.  All Aboard Trolley has joined in the fun to provide trolley service so pie aficionados wouldn’t have to brave the cold on foot.  Pies on Parade has evolved to become a Rockland community event.  While Historic Inns of Rockland still coordinate the event, more than 20 additional businesses have jumped on board to support and participate.

But the best news of all is the outcome.  To date the event has raised nearly $40,000 in its seven year tenure, and the group hopes to hit the $50,000 donation mark with the 8^th annual pie tour.  One hundred percent of the proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the AIO Food Pantry.  Each venue donates the supplies and time to make more than 55 varieties of pie, serving up more than 10,000 pieces of pie during each tour.

Due to the size of the inns and venues, ticket sales are limited to 500 and ticket sales are presently underway.  Why not offer Pies on Parade tickets as the perfect holiday gift?  Visit http://www.historicinnsofrockland.com/pies-on-parade/ for full information on Pies on Parade and lodging packages including tickets to the tour or call 1-877-ROC-INNS to reserve your tickets.  Contact individual inns for Pies on Parade packages.