Caribou High School Music Building Fund: Caribou, Maine

History
› Caribou, Maine, is a small city in the center of Aroostook County that was incorporated as the town of Lyndon on 5 April 1859. In 1877, "Caribou" became the official name and the town was incorporated as a city on 23 February 1967. A Northern Boundary dispute with Canada kept many people from settling in the area until around 1843, when people began arriving in large numbers.

› Historically, Caribou's main source of industry has been agriculture. Potatoes and Broccoli are the two major crops, with over 80,000 potatoes planted. Towards the end of the 1960s, Caribou's economic strength began to dwindle as result of difficulties in the potato industry. Economic and population decline was exacerbated in 1994 when the Loring Air Force Base in nearby Limestone was closed.

› Years of economic troubles have not aided in Caribou's development, but within the past few years, the tide has changed as Caribou has focused on its economic development. A rich cultural base, thriving community, and various forms of development make Caribou's future a bright one. Projects like the music facility that the Caribou High School Music Building Fund is raising money for, can only add to the attractiveness of the community and will make Caribou's culture even more rich.

Arts and Culture
› Caribou has a strong arts and culture sector, that will be significantly improved with the new music facility. The Caribou Performing Arts Center (CPAC), a 800 seat auditorium, attracts shows and performances from all over the U.S. and Canada and is where Caribou music concerts are held. The new music facility will be located adjacent to the CPAC, which will allow music groups to have a adequate spaces for both practicing and performing.

› Caribou has numerous arts and culture organizations including the Council for the Arts, a group that provides arts and culture programming for Northern Maine. In addition to all of the school-related performing groups, Caribou also has several music groups such as the Caribou Community Band, Caribou Choral Society, and the Caribou Hoofers, to name a few.

› Caribou also has a strong Parks and Recreation Department that provides community programming for all ages. Caribou has a culture that promotes recreation and the Department is currently in the process of constructing a new community wellness center that will serve Caribou and the surrounding communities. The new wellness center, music facility, and various other forms of development in Caribou will all significantly contribute to the community, economics, and quality of life in the city.