The Maine Turnpike Authority won’t have to repair any image problems with the tens of thousands of tourists leaving the state Monday in the annual Labor Day evacuation of Vacationland.

While handling 4,000 vehicles per hour for six consecutive hours, there was little delay for commuters at the southern portal plaza. “At most, there were six cars backed up and waiting for 35 to 40 seconds at each booth,” said a Turnpike representative, Dan Paradee

Several Maine mascots were on hand at the York plaza, including Miles the Maine Moose and Laney the Lobsterman, thanking people for visiting the state. This year, the Turnpike Commission also handed out 25,000 special edition Farmers’ Almanacs produced by Geiger Brothers in Lewiston.

The almanacs were intended not only to thank visitors but also to entice them back for events such as the annual Foliage Fest and Chowder Cook-Off.

Great idea.