Media Coverage

In November 2024, a group of exceptional local businesses came together for a truly special collaboration: celebrating the 4th birthday of Brooks, son of Erin Ovalle—Executive Producer of Maine Life Media and host of the TV show MaineLife. Coordinated by Real Maine Mom, this event brought together the creative talents of Greater Portland’s kid-friendly businesses to craft an extraordinary winter wonderland at the picturesque River Winds Farm & Estate in Saco, Maine.

This unforgettable celebration was featured on MaineLife Season 9, Episode 34 (displayed below) in December 2024. While we recommend watching the entire episode when you have time, our segment covering Brooks’s party begins 11:30 in the episode.

Wow, that was some pretty impressive coverage of the party by Erin Ovalle and her team at MaineLife Media. In this article, Real Maine Mom we would like to take the opportunity to focus on expanding on the details of this special birthday party including the local businesses that came together with us to make this all possible and the creative touches they each contributed to this party utilizing our professional images by Carrie Pellerin Photography.

Learn more about all of businesses involved by viewing the vendor directory provided at the end of this article.

The Venue: River Winds Farm & Estate

The event took place at River Winds Farm & Estate, a family-owned property spanning 160 acres of natural beauty. The party was held in their rustic event barn, complete with a spacious deck offering breathtaking views—a perfect backdrop for this winter-themed celebration.

A Collaboration of Local Talent

Real Maine Mom worked with multiple local businesses to create a memorable experience filled with thoughtful details, creative activities, and delicious treats. Allow us to take you on a virual tour of this event to provide a glimpse of what made this celebration so unique:

Virtual Tour: Step Inside a Winter Wonderland

As you walked into the Barn, guests were greeted with a sign welcoming them to Brooks’s Winter Wonderland, with a cute play on words and imagery that would carry throughout the party, “Ready FOUR Snow”.

Also, at the entryway, were the special favors that had been custom made for the party:

Mindy’s Munchies customized a special stack of hand-dipped chocolates for each child to take home in thier favor bags.

Sugar ME created a beautifully designed set of cookies to match the theme, including a golf ball to honor Brooks’s love of the game (displayed above inside the giftbags).

Just beyond the entryway, Bloom Bar 207 had set up a slime bar where kids created their own themed slime jars to take home in their favor bags—an absolute hit!

Next to this activity, Art Play Maine guided kids through crafting pinecone owls, tissue paper snowflakes, and woodland creature puppets. The kids were delighted to bring these creations home, too!

To the right, families were able to help themselves to a Real Maine Mom hot cocoa bar, brimming with toppings and labeled with festive flair.

Adjacent to the hot cocoa bar was a door to access the expansive deck offering picturesque views of this beautiful property, and this where Castles in the Sky Events provided a whimsical holiday-themed setup featuring a balloon snowglobe for kids to explore and a boho-style table for creative activities.

Stepping back inside of the Barn, to the right, FaceCapades had set up an adorable menu of special, on-theme, face painting options that delighted every child!

Closeby, was a custom cake by Sweets from the Clichen. This amazing cake featured handmade details including a snowy pine tree inside of a snowglobe, a snowman to hold the birthday candle and woodland creatures in front of the venue barn. An array of delicious cupcakes were also provided.

In the far right corner of the barn, MEPowered Pastries was stationed to lead an hands-on food activity where kids decorated their own reindeer donuts.

On the back wall of the event barn, the venue features an adorable built-in backdrop option that we worked with to create a simple & fun, photo backdrop for families. This is where we featured a life-sized balloon tree that added a magical touch to the photo backdrop by local balloon artist, Party Cute Balloons.

Setup in the far left corner of the barn, yet more than filling the entire event space, was the music provided by our party DJ! Chris of Bouchard Enterainment presented a kid-friendly playlist that kept the energy high and the smiles flowing.

A Celebration of Community

From the handcrafted decorations to the locally sourced treats and activities, this birthday party showcased the incredible talent and community spirit of Maine’s small businesses. It was more than a party—it was a celebration of connection, creativity, and fun.

Explore the Local Talent

Check out the vendor directory below to learn more about the talented businesses that made this event possible.

Stay tuned for the MaineLife episode to see this magical day come to life!

Vendor Directory

Art Play Maine

Art Play Maine is owned and operated by Stephanie Anania, a local mom in Falmouth. Art Play Maine offers arts & crafts events for all ages! With a focus on process and sensory art, there’s no right or wrong result, it’s all about having fun and being creative. For this party, Art Play Maine included materials to make pinecone owls, tissue paper snowflakes, and woodland creature puppets. Each activity allowed the kids to use their imagination to customize and make it their own!

Bloom Bar 207

Bloom Bar 207 is owned and operated by Jenna Tremberth, a local mom in Scarborough. The concept for this business is to provide interactive, themed stations for any celebration, including customizable slime bars, bouquet-making, candy carts, and more. Each setup is designed to spark creativity and bring a memorable, hands-on experience where guests can craft their own unique creations, adding a fun and personalized touch to any event.

Bouchard Entertainment

Chris Bouchard is the owner and sole DJ of Bouchard Entertainment. Founded in 2014, Chris has been involved in thousands of events and specializes in weddings along the Maine coast.

“I am married, a dad and father to the most loving and sweet autistic child, a survivor and advocate for mental health, and I value excellence and having fun.”

Website: www.bouchardentertainment.com

Carrie Pellerin Photography

Carrie Pellerin is a local mom and portrait photographer who specializes in capturing the genuine connections, laughter, and emotions that define family life. Being a photographer with a strong background in event photography but currently focusing on families, she was the perfect fit for this event. She serves busy mothers who deeply cherish their families, creating timeless portraits that celebrate their unique story. With a focus on relaxed, natural moments, Carrie’s approach ensures that every family can be themselves, making their experience fun and stress-free. Together, you’ll create beautiful artwork to enhance your home and celebrate your life.

Website: www.carriepellerin.com

Castles in the Sky Events

“Maine’s Premier Kid’s Glamping, Sleepover & Party Company“

Castles in the Sky Events is owned and operated by local mom, Keri Bassman Ross. This business offers epic and insta-worthy parties including sleepovers, glamping, spa and dining setups, white bounce castles, balloon domes and more. Known for their over-the-top creativity and attention to detail, Castles does everything from simple setups to entire event coordination in your home or at the venue of your choice. Castles works with every client to create forever memories to treasure for years to come!

Website: https://castlesintheskyevents.com/

FaceCapades

“I love watching a child light up after I paint their face and transform them into their favorite superhero, cartoon character or something colorful and whimsical like a butterfly or rainbow.”

FaceCapades is a face painting business that is owned and operated by a local mom in Topsham, Robyn Kulakowski. Robyn started face painting in 2008 for a small start up company (with no face painting experience at all) because she needed extra money as a single mom of 3 at the time. Robyn moved away to Virginia for 2 years and while she was there she was asked to face paint at a friend’s birthday party… and that is how FaceCapades was born. She was so excited to return back to Maine to continue to do what she loved. Robyn also continues to paint canvases, wall murals, store windows and anything she can make colorful!

Website: www.robynsart.com

Maine Life Media/ MaineLife

Led by local mom Erin Ovalle, Maine Life Media is a production company based in Portland, Maine. The company was launched in 2016 to produce the show MaineLife, which takes you around the state with Erin O’Valle to meet fascinating locals, explore new places to visit, and uncover the positive stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

“I spent a lot of my career covering the news of the day behind the desk but missing the personal stories and people actually shaping Maine and our economy. MaineLife is not only taking on personal and authentic stories but we’re also engaging with new and existing audiences both on air and online, giving viewers the chance to engage on their terms.” – Erin Ovalle

Website: https://mainelifemedia.com/mainelife/

ME Powered Pastries

“Empowering kid chefs one whisk, knead, sprinkle, and delicious baking adventure at a time.”

MePowered Pastries is a kid-focused bakery and learning studio in Scarborough that is owned and operated by local mom, Laura Petrolino with the help of an amazing team of staff. This business is located on Route 1 in Scarborough and can host your party or come to you, as they did here today. Through their signature bake-play-learn model they empower kids ages 2+ to grow, create, learn, and connect through the power of baking! Offering customized birthday parties or events, and ongoing kid-focused class schedule and also custom order birthday cakes and pastrys.

Website: https://mepoweredpastries.com/

Mindy’s Munchies

Mindy’s Munchies store is the perfect place to host your next kid’s birthday or classroom party! Visit this new chocolate shop and birthday party venue located on Route 1 in Falmouth.

“We will take care of all the details and activities including making delicious chocolate munchies and packaging them for fun and yummy party favors, playing “Mindy’s Munchies” Bingo and Make-Your-Own Sundaes for dessert. When we sing “Happy Birthday,” cupcakes will be served. Pizza, drinks, and paper goods are included and leave the clean-up to us.”

Website: www.mindysmunchies.com/maine/

Party Cute Balloons

Party Cute Balloons is owned and operated by Joanna, a local mom & balloon artist based out of Falmouth. If you are looking for balloon decor for parties and events, this business brings the talent and can cover everything from balloon garlands to more intricate balloon work (even balloon people) for your party or special occasion. Party Cute Balloons services Southern Maine.

River Winds Farm & Estate

River Winds Farm & Estate is a 160-acre family owned and operated property featuring incomparable event venues and lovely outdoor facilities suited for nearly any occasion. Established in 2005 by the Austin Family who first enjoyed it as their hobby and horse farm. Now, over the last decade, the family has decided to open its farm and estate up to the public to enjoy as much as they do. The property now serves as an events center, wedding venue, vacation and family function destination, and equestrian boarding and performance center.

The Estate features a fully-restored historic home, large event barn with walk-out deck, and horse stables and arena. Additionally, perennial gardens and lawns, acres of pastures and fields, woods and riding trails, mark this gorgeous property, all abutting the Saco River. The quaint, comfortable farmhouse with exposed wood beams and wide-plank floors is available to rent for your stay and has plenty of room to spread out. The grounds provide room for lawn games and sunning, swimming in the pool, or enjoying our miles of trails down to the river.

River Winds can host large events up to 250 guests or the most intimate soiree. The property also hosts vacationers and families looking for the perfect pastoral Maine setting to use as their vacation home base.

Website: https://www.riverwindsfarmandestate.com/

Sugar ME

Meredith Dion is a local mom and the owner and cookie artist behind Sugar ME, a licensed home bakery based in Yarmouth, Maine. Sugar ME specializes in creating customized cookies for every occasion. From birthdays and weddings to holidays and corporate events, Meredith works closely with each customer to design cookies that perfectly reflect their vision and style. With a focus on personalization and attention to detail, the process is tailored to ensure a seamless and memorable experience. Every cookie is crafted with care, adding a sweet and unique touch to any celebration. Beyond custom cookies, Meredith teaches engaging cookie decorating classes for all ages as well as private events, providing a fun and creative way to learn, celebrate, and make memories. Make your next event truly unforgettable with Sugar ME’s custom creations and interactive experiences!

Website: https://www.sugarmemaine.com/

Sweets from the Clichen

Sweets from the Clichen is owned and operated by local mom Rachelle Cliche out of Saco.

The goal of Sweets from the Clichen is to not only provide baked goods that are delicious, but also to provide a product in which the custom details capture the person, event or milestone it is crafted for and is remembered long after it is gone.

Spotlight on Brooks’s Winter Wonderland: A Real Maine Mom Collaboration

At Real Maine Mom, we pride ourselves on connecting local families with the incredible businesses that make our community shine. We’re Lisa Bazinet, Owner & Managing Editor (right), and Lindsay Coutu, Assistant Editor & Events Manager (left)—the innovative moms behind events like the Greater Portland Kids’ Pick Awards (returning in May 2025) and the beloved Kid-Friendly Portland guide. Whether curating hyper-local content, organizing events, or celebrating the businesses that keep Greater Portland vibrant, we’re here to help families discover the best our area has to offer.

When the opportunity presented itself for us to team up with Erin Ovalle and her team at MaineLife Media, we were thrilled to collaborate. This was the perfect chance to showcase the creativity and talent of Greater Portland’s kid-friendly businesses. We approached this collaboration with our signature teamwork. I (Lisa) took the lead on coordinating the local business lineup and presenting this article, while Lindsay focused on planning the event details and tying together the theme and offerings in a cohesive, charming way. Our shared goal was to facilitate the talented businesses involved to truly shine while crafting a party that Brooks and his family would remember forever.

Why Local Matters

The success of this event was made possible by the incredible local businesses that went above and beyond to deliver top-tier products and services. From custom cookies and interactive crafts to stunning decorations and delicious treats, the businesses we partnered with proved once again why Greater Portland is such a special place to raise a family.

If you’re planning a birthday party in Greater Portland and want to make it extraordinary, look no further than the local talent right here in our community. You’ll find all the businesses that contributed to Brooks’s Winter Wonderland in our BIG Greater Portland Birthday Party List—and plenty more!

A Heartfelt Thank You

To Erin Ovalle and her team at MaineLife Media, thank you for trusting us to bring this collaboration to life. Thank you for laughing along with us as we filmed our interview segment. And to the businesses involved, we can’t thank you enough for your dedication, creativity, and generosity. Together, we’ve showcased the very best of what Greater Portland has to offer.

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Here’s to celebrating local—and to many more magical moments, events and stories like this one!