It was 4th of July weekend 14 years back, and the sun was throwing a tantrum. Temperatures were soaring, but nothing stopped the flow of Mainers and out-of-towners pouring into the Oxford Fairgrounds in Oxford, Maine. They were armed with tents, sunscreen, and a thirst for some serious live music.
The night remains etched in the memories of many hard rock fans. It was one of the most legendary and grueling concerts in Maine history, with thousands of soaked fans and some of the biggest names in rock, including Van Halen, Metallica and Scorpions.
The towns of Norway, South Paris, Oxford, and Harrison all have favorites of mine that are as good if not better than any you'll find in Portland, and the parking is free.
Did you know that in the 19th century, Portland had a big canal? It was called the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, and you could take a boat from Portland all the way to Harrison.