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In Portland, Maine, the tradition initiated by the late Valentine’s Day bandit, Kevin Fahrman, did not conclude with his passing last spring. Admirers and the city at large ensured the legacy lived on by adorning the environment with red paper hearts.
These symbols of love became visible in countless places throughout the city, including store windows, public mailboxes, refuse containers, and they even waved amidst robust winds from DiMillo’s restaurant and were seen in the historic Old Port area. The Portland Public Library was also graced with a beautiful heart.
In honor of the tradition, Cary Tyson, Portland Downtown’s executive director, declared: “Long live the Valentine’s Day Bandit.”
Fahrman’s identity as the enigmatic bandit was only unearthed after his passing at the age of 67. Over more than forty years, Kevin, along with variable accomplices, consistently prepared his heartfelt surprise every 14th of February.
The bandit’s commitment was not for notoriety, as recognized by his daughter, Sierra Fahrman. He found joy in the “simplicity and sincerity” of the act. To perpetuate her father’s labor of love, a foundation now exists, and through the website BeAKevin.com, everyone can download the red hearts that became his signature, thereby becoming bandits in their spirit.
Fahrman’s inspiration to reinforce the red heart tradition in Portland started in the 1970s, a tradition he personally revived in 1979. Beyond his role as the Valentine’s Day bandit, Kevin was an artist, musician, and photographer, humorously recognized through his band The Van Gogh-Gos with the “Lend us an ear” motto.
His daughter fondly remembers him for his combination of humor, kindness, and generosity. For her, he was as endearing as he was quirky. Despite the enjoyment his nocturnal escapades brought to the city, his wife, Patti Urban, often felt left aside on Valentine’s Day, as Fahrman would be worn out from the previous night’s adventures. However, he did not fail to cover his own home in hearts and surprise Sierra with a special basket—replicating the mysterious gifting nature of the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, or Santa Claus—introducing his unique celebration of Valentine’s Day to his family.
FAQ about Portland’s Valentine’s Day Tradition
- Who was the original Valentine’s Day bandit in Portland, Maine?
- The original Valentine’s Day bandit was Kevin Fahrman from the neighboring town of Falmouth.
- How did Kevin Fahrman become known as the Valentine’s Day Bandit?
- He decorated the city with red paper hearts each year on February 14th, a tradition he maintained for over four decades.
- Can anyone continue the tradition of the Valentine’s Day bandit?
- Yes, with the foundation set up in Kevin Fahrman’s memory, people can become part of the tradition by downloading and printing red hearts from the website BeAKevin.com.
- Did the tradition of the Valentine’s Day hearts in Portland stop after Kevin Fahrman’s death?
- No, the tradition did not stop. Admirers and residents of Portland continued to spread the red hearts throughout the city in Kevin Fahrman’s memory.
Conclusion
The enduring legacy of the Valentine’s Day Bandit, Kevin Fahrman, is a testament to the power of community traditions and the impact of simple acts of kindness and joy. As Portlanders continue to spread love through red paper hearts, they honor Fahrman’s memory and reinforce the city’s culture of warmth and celebration, echoing his life’s message – to find beauty and connection in the simplicity and sincerity of heartfelt gestures.