News
news Ice-Out Prize Pool Reaches Record $2,000 for 2016 Contest
Homan's Pond Ice-Out jackpot more than doubles as interest in the annual spring tradition surges regionwide.
news Travel Writer Discovers Willow Creek: Town Earns First Professional Review
A freelance travel writer visiting from Portland, Maine, publishes the first professional review of Willow Creek as a tourism destination, drawing regional attention.
news Inn-to-Inn Hiking Route Links Willow Creek Bed-and-Breakfasts
A new 8-mile inn-to-inn hiking trail connects Willow Creek's two bed-and-breakfasts with the Mattawamkeag River Trail, offering multi-day hiking packages.
news Leaf-Peeping Shuttle Service Debuts to Ease Fall Traffic Congestion
A weekend shuttle service during peak foliage season aims to reduce traffic congestion on Route 11 and help visitors access trailheads, downtown, and the Dry Dock.
news School Heritage Field Trips Take Students Into Town History
Willow Creek K-8 School launches a new heritage curriculum that sends students into town to document oral histories and explore historic sites.
news Farmers Market Launches Tourist Outreach: 'Come for the Vegetables, Stay for the Town'
The Willow Creek Farmers Market launches a tourist-friendly initiative featuring vendor maps, cooking demonstrations, and 'market passports' to draw visitors.
news ATV Trail Access Expanded as Tourism Committee Targets Off-Road Riders
New ATV trail connections link Willow Creek to the statewide trail network, opening a corridor for off-road vehicle tourism from Canada and southern Maine.
news Pine Cone Motel Undergoes Renovation as Visitor Demand Outstrips Lodging
The Pine Cone Motel completes a major renovation adding four new rooms and modern amenities, responding to growing demand for overnight accommodations.
news Pleasant Lake Paddling Trail Opens as New Day-Trip Destination
A scenic paddling route on Pleasant Lake, 10 miles east of town, offers visitors a quiet alternative to the Willow River with views of undeveloped shoreline.
news Hunting Lease Tourism Takes Hold as Out-of-State Sportsmen Rent Private Land
A new program connecting out-of-state deer hunters with local landowners generates income for farmers and fills motel rooms during the November shoulder season.
news Bicycle Tour Groups Put Willow Creek on the Cycling Map
Organized bike tours passing through Willow Creek bring dozens of cyclists to town, prompting discussion of bike-friendly infrastructure improvements.
news Town Forms First-Ever Tourism Committee to Guide Economic Development
The Board of Selectmen approves the creation of a five-member tourism committee tasked with developing a formal strategy for attracting visitors year-round.
news First Kayak Rentals Hit the Water as Paddlers Discover Willow River
The new Kayak Willow Creek rental service launches at Thorne's Bend, offering visitors a chance to explore the gentle currents of the Willow and Mattawamkeag rivers.
news Main Street Vacancies Fuel Debate Over Tourism Role in Downtown Revival
With seven empty storefronts on Main Street, residents and business owners clash over whether tourism or traditional commerce should anchor downtown's future.
news Ice-Out Competition Expands Beyond Town Limits for First Time
The annual Ice-Out competition on Homan's Pond opens to online entries from outside Willow Creek, drawing attention from as far as California.
news Birdwatching Weekends Take Flight Along Mattawamkeag River Corridor
A new series of guided birdwatching weekends aims to attract the growing ecotourism market, targeting spring and fall migration along the river.
news Snowmobile Grooming Upgrades Promise Best Winter Trail Conditions in Years
The Willow Creek Snowmobile Club receives new grooming equipment, opening 60 miles of maintained trails for the 2011-2012 winter season.
news Willow Creek Custom Flooring Opens Mill to Historic Tours
The town's oldest operating business begins offering guided tours of the historic 1903 mill, showcasing the original steam-powered planer and the craft of hardwood flooring.
news Foliage Season Poised to Break Records as Leaf-Peepers Descend on Willow Creek
A dry summer and ideal temperature swings promise one of the most spectacular foliage displays in years, drawing crowds to the Mattawamkeag River Valley.
news The Dry Dock Brings Farm-to-Table Dining to Willow Creek
Dean Moreau, a Willow Creek native who spent 15 years working in Portland and Boston kitchens, opens the Dry Dock restaurant in the restored Thorne & Sons boat shed.