May
9-10 SOUTH PARIS: “Wildflower Celebration” at McLaughlin Garden 10 a.m.-5 p.m. plant sale focuses on native Maine wildflowers and perennials; gift shop and house will be open; fun children’s activities from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on both days; free.
15-June 14 GREENVILLE: Moose Mainea, Moosehead Lake Region, honors the region’s favorite resident, “The Moose.” Events include the Moose River Canoe Race, Moosterpiece Craft Fair, Moose Mainea Kid’s Fun Day, Famous Moose Tales, a Quest Fest, and the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Moose Photo Contest.
16 SCARBOROUGH: The PREAKNESS STAKES at Scarborough Downs; second Jewel of the Triple Crown, live via simulcast from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. Enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet in the Downs Club. Special 2 p.m. live racing post time. Admission is free. Call 207-883-3022 for reservations. Route 1.
16 GRAY: Maine Wildlife Park, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sparks Ark: Have you ever had a raccoon stuck in your chimney, a skunk under your porch, woodchucks in the garden, or bats in your attic? Dave Sparks is a licensed animal damage control agent and the professional to call when you experience a conflict with the area wildlife. He can also give you tips, tricks and ways to discourage wildlife that may be causing trouble in your gardens, home and buildings.
23 NEW GLOUCESTER: Opening of the Shaker Museum Season, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Rte. 26. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Exhibits, tours, workshops, crafts demonstrations, and special events. Admission free. Tour fees apply.
30 NEWRY: Free Family Fishing Festival, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Summit Rd., http://www.upperandro.com. Free casting and fly tying lessons, stocked trout pond for practice, kids can take home their catch; door prizes, mini-tackle box for all.
June
3-20 BRUNSWICK: Maine State Music Theater presents “The Light in the Piazza,” 22 Elm Street, 207-725-8769 (Box Office), www.msmt.org.
5-7 BRIDGTON: Maine Canoe Symposium is a weekend of lessons, demonstrations, slide presentations, and on-the-water fun. All ages and levels welcome. Fees apply. 35 Winona Rd., Camp Winona, Moose Pond.
6 SCARBOROUGH: The BELMONT STAKES at Scarborough Downs; final jewel of the Triple Crown, live via simulcast from Belmont Park. Enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet in the Downs Club. Special 2 p.m. live racing post time features The Dirigo Pacing Series for Colts and Geldings. 10K final. Admission is free. Call 207-883-3022 for reservations. Route 1.
6 FARMINGTON: FSNA Annual Art Auction, 6 p.m.; Art preview 5 p.m. FMH Bass Room, Farmington. Tickets $15 each/$25 a couple, table for 8 is $90 (reserve ahead of time through Mary O’Donal at 778-3267 or Mary Frank at 778-4695). Tickets to the art auction will be available at the Calico Patch, Broadway, Farmington or from any board member.
6-7 FREEPORT: L.L.Bean PaddleSports Festival, see hundreds of kayaks and canoes to compare and test; experience a variety of helpful clinics; lessons and demonstrations.
6-7 LIVERMORE: Civil War Living History and Reenactment Weekend; gates open 9 a.m., Washburn-Norlands Living History Center; Admission fees apply.
6-7 WINDSOR: Maine Fiber Frolic, Windsor Fairgrounds, Route 32. From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Look back in time as Windsor Fairgrounds comes alive with agricultural tradition, a farm and fiber festival. Sheep dog trials and demos, sheep shearing, fleece show & sale, used equipment marketplace, llama fun show, judged fiber goat show, 4-H demonstrations, educational workshop & lectures on spinning, felting, knitting, weaving, rug hooking, animal health and rearing, a kid’s area and the Maine Llama Drill Team. Fees apply. FMI, www.FiberFrolic.com.
7 PORTLAND: 36th Annual Old Port Festival, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 84 Exchange St., music, food, kids’ activities, Maine artisans, parade down, www.portlandmaine.com.
14 AUBURN: Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Festival Plaza, downtown, 6:30-11:30 a.m.
18 SOUTH PARIS: “Power Propagators” at McLaughlin Garden, 2-4 p.m., monthly event is new to the Garden; Kristin Perry, director of horticulture, would like for you to join her in propagating some of Bernard’s collection; this volunteer event is open to everyone and is not physically demanding. Pre-registration required; free.
19-21 NEWRY: Trek Across Maine – Sunday River to the Sea. 180 miles (average 60 miles per day) across scenic Maine. Start at the mountains of Sunday River Ski Resort and finish in Belfast, Maine. Fees apply. Sunday River Ski Resort, Newry.
20 GRAY: Maine Wildlife Park, Fish and Wildlife Day: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Come talk with the people that preserve, protect and manage Maine’s wildlife for you; join Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists, game wardens, safety, and hatchery staff with a variety of special fish and wildlife exhibits and displays.
20 NAPLES: Maine Blues Festival. Fun and refreshing summer kick-off. Fees apply. Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.
24-27 NEW GLOUCESTER: Maine Festival of American Music, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village. Portland String Quartet. Guest artists are pianist Virginia Eskin and historian/annotator Steven Ledbetter. Two evening concerts, one evening lecture/demo-workshop day and master class. FMI about the 2009 Festival including fees, call 926-4597 or e-mail usshakers@aol.com.
26-28 WATERVILLE: Central Maine Youth Football Clinic-Camp, featuring players from the N.E. Patriots. Non contact clinic for grades 1-8 at Alfond Youth Center Fields, North Street, Waterville (rain or shine). Cost: $50/all three days. FMI, call 491-6939 or e-mail blanchets@myfairpoint.net.
27 KINGFIELD: Kingfield POPS, Kennedy Farm, Route 142. Familiar and patriotic music, family activities, fireworks. Fees apply.
27-September 6 FREEPORT: Saturday evenings, L.L.Bean Summer Concert Series, local and national performers from jazz to folk and a cappella to zydeco. Free.
July
3 RANGELEY: Independence Day Celebration, 10 a.m. to dark, parade, cook-outs, silent auction, fireworks, www.rangeleymaine.com.
4 BETHEL: Bethel Historical Society Annual 4th of July Celebration, noon to 2 p.m., 10 Broad St., community picnic at the Moses Mason House, Portland Brass Quintet two-hour concert, www.bethelhistorical.org.
4 BETHEL: 20th Annual Bethel Art Fair, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Broad St., artists & artisans display/sell their work. Youth art exhibit & children’s activities. Great food & entertainment all day, www.bethelmaine.com.
8-28 BETHEL: Androscoggin River Source to Sea Trek, 20-day paddling trek from Lake Umbagog to Fort Popham; participate for one or more days; all days are guided with brief educational program, www.androscogginriver.org.
9 RANGELEY: Strawberry Festival, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., strawberry shortcake, crafts, pies, gifts, www.rangeleymaine.com.
10-12 FRYEBURG: Maine Bike Rally, 745 Main St., three days of bike rides in beautiful western Maine and the Mount Washington Valley for all levels of cyclists, more than 30 rides of five to 100 miles plus a full weekend of family entertainment, parade, ice cream social, music, films, camping and meals are available, all at an affordable price. www.bikemaine.org/mainebikerally/index.html.
10-12 LISBON FALLS: Moxie Festival has music, entertainment, food, fireworks, bed race and carnival games. Downtown Lisbon Falls. Includes the Chief Worumbo Androscoggin Run Race on the Androscoggin River, Durham.
11 LEWISTON-AUBURN: The Maine Music Society’s 15th Annual Garden & Home Tour, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., rain or shine. This year’s tour consists of seven separate locations including seven gardens and one home interior. Tickets $12 in advance through L/A Arts 782-7228, Provencher’s Landscape and Nursery, Mr. Paperback, Ivy Cottage, Lewiston and Auburn Hannaford and Shaw’s. Tickets available day of tour at all the gardens for $14 each.
11 SCARBOROUGH: The $25,000 MID-SUMMER CLASSIC Invitational Pace at Scarborough Downs. Post time: 4:30 p.m. features Breeders Stake Races: 2-year-old Filly Pacers out on the track. Admission is Free. Route 1.
11-12 BETHEL: 48th Annual Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Festival, Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., cut gem stones, jewelry & fine mineral specimens on display and for sale.
11-Aug. 8 LEWISTON: Bates Dance Festival Performance Series celebrates the diversity and creativity of contemporary dance. Fees apply. Times vary. Schaeffer Theatre, Bates College.
14 HARRISON: Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival, Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at Deertrees Theatre.
17-19 YARMOUTH: Yarmouth Clam Festival has a parade, free performances, juried craft show, art show, sports contests, carnival and variety of free family-oriented activities. Clams are the feature menu item. Times vary. Main St.
17-19 NO. WATERFORD: Waterford World’s Fair; agricultural events, displays & activities for the entire family.
18 BETHEL: Mahoosuc Arts Council’s Annual Mollyockett Day Festival events and activities include a 5-mile classic road race, parade, ARTirondack chair auction, frog jumping contest, duck race, arts & crafts, food, entertainment, fireworks at dusk, and more. Bethel Town Common.
15 SOUTH PARIS: McLaughlin Garden Historic Barn Preservation, 6 p.m. Speaker from Preservation Timber Framing, Inc. will offer an insightful and educational tour of the historic 1840s McLaughlin barn with a follow up slide presentation and lecture. Pre-registration required; free.
18 BETHEL: Mollyockett Day Festivities, Broad St., community festival featuring foot races, parade, contests, entertainment, arts & crafts, duck race at the covered bridge, great music, food, fireworks at dusk, www.bethelmaine.com.
23-26 AUGUSTA: Maine Quilts, Thursday 7-9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 76 Community Dr., 32nd annual quilt show, workshops, lectures, merchants mall, quilt appraisals, demonstrations, silent auction, www.mainequilts.org.
24-25 RANGELEY: Logging Museum Festival Days, ME-16, bean-hole beans, Logger’s Hall of Fame, entertainment, competitions, parade, www.rangeleymaine.com.
24-25 FARMINGTON: Annual Strawberry Festival and Art in the Park, vendors, food, music, fun and games. FMI, call 778-5282.
24-26 AUGUSTA: Maine Quilts Show presented by Pine Tree Quilters Guild, at the Augusta Civic Center. 500+ quilts, merchants mall, demonstrations, lectures, quilt appraisals. Silent Auction of quilted items. Fees apply. FMI www.mainequilts.org, info@mainequilts.org, 207-415-4417.
25 GRAY: Maine Wildlife Park, 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. Maine’s Native Turtles; join wildlife park staff to see and learn more about Maine’s seven species of native turtles. Individual turtles will be on hand to view and photograph up close.
26 STATEWIDE: Open Farm Day develops awareness of and educates the public about how their food, fiber and other agricultural products are produced. Over 100 farms across the state will be open to the public. Watch farm activities, see demonstrations and displays, taste samples, pet animals, see crops, farm-raised products for sale, barn tours and hay rides, refreshments. Check the newspaper for participating local farms near you.
August
1-2 ANDOVER: Annual Andover Old Home Days Celebration, all day, ME-5, parade, antique car displays, exhibits, art & flower shows, crafts, firemen’s muster, horse show, food & music.
2 BETHEL: 18th Annual Maine State Triathlon, 8 a.m., adult sprint triathlon with a 1 km swim at Songo Pond, 25 km bike race, and 5 km cross-country run. Teams or individuals. 2nd Annual Kids’ Triathlon on Saturday afternoon. www.bethelmaine.com.
2 SCARBOROUGH: SCARBOROUGH DOWNS 5th ANNUAL FAMILY FUN DAY. Harness racing education and fun for the whole family; live mare and foal, mini horses, pony rides, games, prizes, demonstrations, plus the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of Maine Annual Horse Show. BBQ. Live racing post time: 1:30 p.m. features: 1st elim. leg of The Joe Ricci Memorial Trot -$10k purse; The Mildred Williams International Driving Series for Women Drivers to support Ribbons for Ribbons Breast Cancer Research. Admission is Free. Route 1.
6 RANGELEY: Art in August, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Park Rd., arts and crafts for sale.
7-8 WILTON: Blueberry Festival, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, live entertainment, parades.
7-9 BETHEL: Sudbury Canada Days, all day, 10 Broad St., lectures, old-time crafts, 18th century re-enactors, art show, parade, games, badminton & croquet tournaments, log drivers’ bean supper, www.bethelhistorical.org.
11 RANGELEY: Outdoor Sporting Heritage Day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., celebration of Maine’s hunting, fishing; Maine Guides’ flycasting competition, game meals.
15 BETHEL: 3rd Annual Maine Mountain Corvette and Car Show & Shine, Noon-3 p.m., Broad St., www.bethelmaine.com.
15 LOVELL: 34th Annual Arts & Artisans Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., ME-5, fiber arts, photography, jewelry, glass, wood, painterly art, used book sale; lunch available for purchase. Major fundraiser for Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library.
20 RANGELEY: Blueberry Festival, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Main St., jams, muffins, pies, gifts, crafts, entertainment.
21-23 LEWISTON: Great Falls Balloon Festival. Tours of local places of interest, food, balloon launches, craft booths, carnival, fireworks and more!
22 SOUTH PARIS: McLaughlin Garden Benefit Auction, 5 p.m., annual fundraiser is the social event of the season. Contact the Garden for ticket information or if you would like to donate to the silent or live auction.
23 FARMINGTON: End of Summer Hoorah! Automobile, Motorcycle & Truck Show, Swap Meet, Motorcycle Raffle Run! Car Show and Swap Meet 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Raffle Run 7 a.m. Breakfast, ride leaves approximately 9:30 a.m., food, music, 50/50 raffle, door prizes, trophies. Sunday Motorcycle Raffle Run! with a group ride. www.franklincountymaine.org.
29 SCARBOROUGH: TRAVERS STAKES DAY at Scarborough Downs; America’s oldest stakes race in continuous existence, live via simulcast from Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, NY; features Breeders Stakes Races: 2-year-old colt pacers out on the track! Post time: 4:15 p.m. Admission is Free. Route 1.
29 GRAY: Maine Wildlife Park, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Maine Custom Wood Sculpture; join Bill Fournier as he uses a chain saw to create eagles, bears and more. Watch a block of wood become a work of art. Finished pieces for sale. Bring your cameras and earplugs.
September
11-13 FREEPORT: Fall in the Village Art and Music Festival, Main St., starts Friday night with an artist reception followed by two days of arts (juried) and crafts, live music, refreshments, www.freeportusa.com.