There is no bustling center here in this small town about 20 miles north of Lewiston on Route 4. In fact, it’s easy to pass through without realizing it. But this is not a town to pass by, and not just because of well-known Norlands Living History Center.

If you like to fish, there are ponds here for your enjoyment, including Round Pond and Brettuns Pond, both with picnic areas and boat launches. There are unique farms with wonderful offerings. And there is history, entertainment and good eating.

The town was once part of an Abenaki territory called Rokomeko, meaning “great corn place,” which still holds true today as it boasts a large farming community. Some of the most well-known settlers of the town were the Washburn family, whose estate is now Washburn-Norlands, the living history center and museum. There were seven Washburn sons who went on to become governors, senators, shipbuilders and sea captains.

Livermore is still a great farming community with farms dotting the countryside. The town recently hosted the Heros of Woodstock Festival held at the Barnyard, and if you own a mud runner there are mud runs at Barnyard All Terrain located at the junction of Route 108, Boothby Road and the River Road.

Today you can catch the last day of the 3rd Annual Maine Cultural and Music Festival being held on Route 4 next to the Carriage House Café behind the Dragon Knights Gift Shop. For more information about this festival check out this blog site: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=202986831&blogId=503757709 .

Livermore offers much more than meets the eye, so get in the car and GO!

Perley Hill Farm
16 South Road
897-5935
Info: [email protected]
Open mid-April to mid-October, or by appointment, the farm offers locally grown produce, free-range eggs, handmade soap and hand-dyed yarns. This is a pesticide-free farm.

Shaky Barn Farm & Gardens
504 E Boothby Road
491-9797
Info: [email protected]
There is more to this farm than can be expressed in a few lines, so just go! No pesticides or fertilizers are used here. They opened this past spring and are in the process of growing. They will have walking gardens where you will be able to cut your own flowers, sit and have a cup of tea. But that is just the beginning. Stop by today and choose a pumpkin.

Maple Lane Golf Course & Restaurant
295 Maple Lane
897-3770
www.maplelane.me
Maple Lane has just announced plans to be open year-round starting this year and is offering many events for year-round fun. The golf course will be open till Nov. 1, and from now until then they are offering a golf/lunch package. So go check them out and their new room additions, and experience their great food.

Pineridge Scents Candle & Sign Co.
32 Goding Road
897-6519
www.freshbakedrefills.com
This is the smallest shop in Maine, and it sells the largest candle in New England. Yep, a 12-pound candle that is sure to last through the winter. Visit them next Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for an open house. If you love candles you won’t want to miss this event, with free refreshments and door prizes.

Washburn-Norlands Living History Center
290 Norlands Road
897-4366
www.norlands.org
Norlands is recovering from the devastating fire last year. This is a great center to visit: They have school tours, a museum and gift shop, and for the adventurous you can even spend a day or two there and really experience the 19th century.

Carriage House Café
1523 Federal Road/ Route 4
Livermore/Turner town line
897-5880
Stop in to the café for good food, play some pool, have a brew or put on an event there in their upstairs banquet room. Today you can enjoy the last day of the 3rd Annual Maine Cultural and Music Festival going on next door.