KENNEBUNKPORT — Kennebunkport has been dubbed “New England’s Most Romantic Town” by many online destination websites. Spend one day strolling through downtown or walking on the beach, and it’s hard to argue.
With Valentine’s Day the most romantic time of the year, it makes sense to draw locals and out-of-towners alike to the beautiful coastal town with the one they love.
To celebrate, the Kennebunks are hosting a “Paint the Town Red” campaign throughout February. Kennebunkport and Kennebunk businesses are featuring specials and giveaways; inns, hotels and motels have romantic packages available; and special romance-themed dinners are on restaurants’ menus.
“Kennebunkport is really quite romantic, whether there is snow on the ground for sleigh rides or the beaches for a beautiful morning stroll,” said Rachel Pelkey, marketing manager at Kennebunk Resort Collection and one of the main organizers of the event. “And all of the shops make it a nice, quaint place to visit.”
Many businesses are hosting events to show what the town has to offer, including beer or wine tastings, art exhibits and the Kennebunk Winterfest, which features music, entertainment and food.
For those looking to do more than attend a demonstration or walk around town, which is decked out in red, there is also the Waterhouse Center – a new, covered outdoor ice skating area – crosscountry skiing, sledding and more.
“February is the perfect time to visit. The holidays have come and gone, and spring is still a couple months off,” said Laura Snyder Smith, marketing and events manager for the Chamber of Commerce for Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel. “A lot of the inns have fireplaces and candlelight dinners if you don’t feel like going out. It’s just a great time to come when there are smaller crowds and you can see all that Kennebunkport has to offer.”
This is the second year for Paint the Town Red. Despite last year’s series of blizzards and wintery conditions throughout February, which limited participation, the excitement and involvement this year have not died down.
According to Pelkey, close to 15 restaurants have Red Plate Specials, more than 30 businesses are offering Red Tag Specials, and at least 10 hotels are featuring romance packages.
“We needed some wintertime activities,” said Pelkey. “We wanted something to draw people to Kennebunkport in the winter. It was great to choose February and focus on romance. Summer is so busy and we have Christmas Prelude in December, so we needed a winter draw.”
Pelkey added that her hotels have a Cupid Concierge (cupid@lovekpt.com) for those who could use some new and fresh ideas. He can assist with anything from dinner reservations to getting a butler-drawn bath in your room.
“I think everyone can use a helping hand in the romance department sometimes,” she said.
More information can be found at lovekpt.com or gokennebunks.com. Visitors are asked to share photos on Instagram by tagging @kennebunkportmaine and using hashtags #lovekpt and #gokennebunks.