The unseasonably summer-like weather brings about some fun questions, in celebration of the end of another beautiful MidCoast summer:

What is your favorite way to beat the heat when it visits the MidCoast?  Do you have a favorite swimming hole or beach that you visit to cool off when you’re in the area on a hot day? Do you go for ice cream?  How do you celebrate those hot days of summer in the MidCoast?

Photo by Darlene Terry

If you’re looking for fun things to do during these last days of MidCoast summer, below are a couple of wonderful ideas:

Camden Windjammer Festival
Camden, Maine
September 3-5

Labor Day weekend is a celebration of Camden’s maritime heritage and living traditions. When it comes to a community party, the crews, captains, craftspeople, business owners, residents, neighbors, and visitors really know how to have a family-friendly time in one of the world’s prettiest harbors. Visit http://www.camdenwindjammerfestival.com/ for more information.

Designing Women Craft Show
Camden, Maine
September 4, 2010

Handcrafted, beautiful pieces from female artists from throughout New England will be part of this benefit show for New Hope for Women, an organization that supports people in Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo counties affected by domestic and dating violence. The organization also provides education resources to assist communities in creating a safer and healthier future.  In addition to plenty of beautiful art to enjoy, lunch will be available.  Visit the Designing Women website for more information.

River Festival
Waldoboro Village, Maine
September 4
11am-3pm

Kayak to the 4^th Annual River Festival in beautiful Waldoboro Village, Maine!  This Medomak Valley Land Trust event will feature live music, delicious food, children’s activities such as a touch tank and critter corner, boatbuilding, local farmers and artisans. For more information, visit the River Festival website.

You’ll find yourself gazing at beautiful views and enjoying Maine’s cool nights, which will lull you to sleep after you’re done toasting s’mores over your campfire.  Then you’ll wake up to a host of birds singing and another beautiful MidCoast Maine day!

One MidCoast vacation spot, Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, is also welcoming Fiber Artisans to an annual workshop September 9-12. During this four-day event, fiber lovers of all skill levels from professional to novice will come together to share their skills through a series of classes focused on these traditional arts. http://www.fibercollege.org/

MidCoast campgrounds can be found along the coast, on islands and in lovely inland woods.  All are surrounded by scenic places to visit and entertaining MidCoast activities.  The MidCoast is an exceptional place to camp, an experience you’ll always remember.

Orrs Island Campground
Harpswell, Maine
(207) 833-5595
www.orrsisland.com

Pemaquid Point Campground
New Harbor, Maine
(207) 677-2267
www.midcoast.com/~ed/

Mic Mac Cove Campground, Inc.
Union, Maine
(207) 785-4100

Sagadahoc Bay Campground
Georgetown, ME
www.sagbaycamping.com

Meadowbrook Camping Area
Phippsburg, ME
www.meadowbrookme.com

Lobster Buoy Campsites
280 Waterman Beach Rd
South Thomaston, Maine
www.lobsterbuoycampsites.com

Gray Homestead Oceanfront Campground and Cottages
Southport, Maine
(207) 633-4612

Saltwater Farm Campground
Cushing, Maine
www.saltwaterfarmcampground.com

Shore Hills Campground and RV Park
Boothbay, Maine
http://www.shorehills.com

Searsport Shores Ocean Campground
Searsport, Maine
http://www.campocean.com

Sponsored by Savage Oakes Vineyard and Winery and the Maine Winery Guild, the Maine Wine Pavilion is located in the recently renovated Loanna Shibles 4-H Building on the Union Fairgrounds.  The Pavilion project is a labor of love by Savage Oakes Winery owner Elmer Savage and his wife, Holly, who spent the last year gutting and renovating it with the help and support of their fellow Maine Winery Guild members.

Holly Savage of Savage Oakes Winery bottles blueberry wine in preparation for the Wine Pavilion.

The Maine Wine Pavilion will be open Saturday, August 21 through Friday, August 27 from 2-6pm.  Those who visit the Pavilion will receive a souvenir glass and tickets for six wine samples for only $8.   Friday, August 27 is Union Fair’s Blueberry Day, which the Wine Pavilion will celebrate by featuring blueberry wines.

Visiting wineries along the Maine Wine Trail is only one of the many great ways to spend time in Maine’s midcoast region during the upcoming fall months.  The midcoast is filled with breathtaking coastal views and mountain vistas, vibrant towns, working harbors, gardens, shops, museums, and so much more.

Learn more about the Maine Wine Trail or Maine Winery Guild by visiting the organization’s website http://www.mainewinetrail.com/.

MidCoast Maine is a great place to be! Check out these events if you’re looking for some great things to do:

Harborfest
August 21-22
Belfast, Maine

Belfast’s historic waterfront celebrates with a full day of boats!  Watch as teams of two race to build a wooden skiff in record time at the National Boatbuilding Challenge, then cheer them on as they test their boats for seaworthiness in a relay race across the harbor.  A pancake breakfast, 5K-road race, live music, a Classic Small Boat Show, marine-related exhibitors, children’s activities and more.

Maine Highland Games & Scottish Festival
August 21
Topsham, Maine

Put on your kilt and celebrate the MidCoast’s Scots-Irish heritage with games, a clan supper and “Scots Wha Hae” concert.  For more information contact bill@minutemansigns.com or visit www.mainehighlandgames.org

2010 Brunswick Outdoor Art Festival

August 21
Brunswick, Maine

Brunswick’s annual celebration of the arts, with over 60 booths of masterpieces on display!  Start the day at one of Brunswick’s gourmet or funky coffee shops then head outside for a day of art, live music, street performers, family fun and more. Finish out the evening at one of Brunswick’s amazing local restaurants. For more information visit www.brunswickdowntown.com

Union Fair & State of Maine Blueberry Festival
August 22-28
Union, Maine

Celebrate all aspects of blueberries and Maine farming at this classic, rural fair.  You’ll find harness racing, an old fashioned pig scramble, wild blueberry pie baking and eating contests, horse, oxen and tractor pulls, fireworks, sheep shearing contest, 4-H exhibits, carnival, the first annual Maine Wine Pavilion and much more. Best of all, you’ll see the State of Maine Wild Blueberry Queen crowned! For more information, call 207-785-3281.

Maine’s only on-the-water boat show features boats, boats, and more boats, along with dozens of Maine’s fine furniture makers, architects, artists and builders, — all on one site. Special events include the 3rd annual Zucchini Boat Regatta, the ever-popular World Championship Boatyard Dog Trials and lots of delicious food.  Visit the MBHH website for more information.

Olde Bristol Days
August 12-15
New Harbor, Maine

Fireworks, a parade, food, activities, crafts and more at Fort William Henry in beautiful New Harbor, Maine. For more information call 207-563-3205.

Maine’s Largest Antiques Show
August 13-15
Union, Maine

You’ll find everything from formal, traditional antiques to folk art at the 29th Annual Maine Antique Festival. Browse antiques from dealers across the country at this year’s Maine Antiques Festival.

Summer Sonic Tonic
August 14
Montville, Maine

Each summer the Waterfall Arts hosts the Summer Sonic Tonic, a celebration of the arts. At this year’s event, you’ll find amazing food and music, an interactive fountain sculpture, art demonstrations for glassmaking, printmaking, clay modeling, face painting, along with storytellers and a fortuneteller. Visit the Waterfall Arts website for more information.

]]> http://mainesmidcoast.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=684 1 http://mainesmidcoast.com/blog/?p=666 http://mainesmidcoast.com/blog/?p=666#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:12:21 +0000 admin http://mainesmidcoast.com/blog/?p=666 What a perfect summer’s growing season it has been—plenty of sunshine and just enough rain, exactly what local farmers needed to harvest a bumper crop of vegetables this month!

Canning (and freezing) season is in full swing in the MidCoast as local farms gather plenty of zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, eggplants, beets, blueberries and green beans (along with all the other wonderful fruits and veggies).

Visit your local farmers market or farm stand for great bargains on summer’s bounty, and soon you’ll find yourself storing away a Maine winter’s worth of tasty foods.

courtesy A. Balaraman

If you’re looking for some good ideas or advice on preserving summer’s vegetables and fruits, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension is a great place to start:

http://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/food-preservation/preserving-the-harvest/

Here are a few fun ideas if you find yourself looking for something good to do in the MidCoast this week:

Maine Lobster Festival
August 4-8
Harbor Park
Rockland, Maine

This world famous lobster festival has served up tons of freshly steamed Maine lobsters since it began in 1947.  A parade, international lobster crate race, children’s activities, Maine arts and crafts, visits to Navy and Coast guard ships, harbor cruises, contests, and much more are also part of the festival. For more information, visit http://www.mainelobsterfestival.com/

Maine Fairy House Festival
August 6 & 8
Children’s Garden, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Boothbay, Maine

Visit Boothbay for magical fun for all ages! At the Maine Fairy House Festival, you can build a fairy house, find a Gnome Toss, readings and storytelling by popular authors, fairy teas, live performances, workshops and a bubble machine!  Visit Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens for more information.

Damariscotta Blues Festival and Pub Crawl
August 6-8
Damariscotta, Maine

Live blues performances all over town kick things off Friday night, followed by a weekend of blues music performances at the Round Top and Schooner Landing.  Spend a weekend mellowing out to smooth blues in one of the MidCoast’s coolest towns at the Damariscotta Blues Festival and Pub Crawl.

Cundy’s Harbor Days
August 6-8
Cundy’s Harbor, Maine

Summer in Maine brings plenty of festivals and events, each with it’s own unique personality. Cundy’s Harbor Days include a lot of fun things, such as an Ice Cream Social, square dance, parade, lobster crate races, Blessing of the Fleet, lobster boat parade, and concert by Fishers of Men.  FMI 207.725.4505.

Woolwich Days
Aug 7-8
Woolwich, Maine

Woolwich Days bring a variety of great things to do this weekend, including a road/bike race, fun run, fiber arts show, genealogy helpers, sack & wheelbarrow races, chicken BBQ, craft & food vendors, huge yard sale, triathlon, Olympics, Blue Grass music are only part of what you’ll find at this year’s Woolwich Days. FMI 207.442.8815

Topsham Fair
August 8-14
Topsham, Maine

Some of the best things about visiting or living in Maine are the opportunities to step back into the past. This week’s 156th Topsham Fair is a perfect chance to visit Maine’s rural past!  Great food and rides, along with animal pulling events, midway and harness racing, agricultural exhibits, 4-H and crafts.  For more information visit http://www.topshamfair.net/

Maine’s MidCoast is surrounded by islands that are the homes of traditional villages dating back hundreds of years before the founding of our country.  Each Maine island is truly unique—you’ll find a wide variety of talented artisans, historic inns, museums, hiking trails, local foods and much more.

North Haven, Vinalhaven, Isleboro, Matinicus, Swans Island, and Monhegan Island are just a short ferry ride away.  For Monhegan Island Ferry schedules, visit the website http://www.monheganwelcome.com/.  Other MidCoast island ferry schedules are available at http://www.maine.gov/mdot/msfs/index.htm.

And finally, visit the most accessible of MidCoast Maine islands—Westport Island, Orr’s Island and Arrowsic are just a short car ride away from Route One.

Friendship Sloop Days
July 22-24
Location: Rockland, Maine

Friendship Sloops from near and far have gathered for almost 50 years for races off the MidCoast.  The tradition began in Friendship, Maine, but this year’s races will be held off the Rockland breakwater.  Skipper meetings, boat viewings and a parade of sloops are all part of the festivities.  For more information visit http://www.fss.org/.

Lincoln County Fair and Carnival
July 22-25
Location: Wiscasset Raceway; Wiscasset, Maine

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of Lincoln County, Maine at the first ever Lincoln County Fair.  Rides, food and games are only part of the fun!  Visit the Lincoln County Fair Facebook page for more information.

Richmond Days Festival
July 23-25
Fort Richmond Park, Richmond

A Saturday parade, food, games, entertainment, activities and fireworks over Swans Island are only part of what festivalgoers can expect.  For more information call (207) 737-4305.

Harpswell Festival
July 24
Location: Harpswell, Maine

Enjoy old-fashioned, family fun at this celebration, which features entertainment and activities for all ages.  The festival focuses on participation and public awareness of local non-profits, businesses, artisans, and artists by providing them with a venue where all shine.  For more information call (207) 833-0562 or email info@harpswellfestival.org.

Ninth Annual Maine Lobster Ride & Roll
July 24, 8am
Rockland High School, Rockland Maine

Participants choose from four routes that wind along beautiful country roads and along the breathtaking Maine coastline.  Maps, rest stops with food and water, and a fresh Maine lobster roll dinner are all part of the event. Riders view the world-famous Lobster Bike and each receives a pair of collectible Lobster Ride socks. For more information visit http://www.bikemaine.org/events/lobster-ride

Open Farm Day
July 25
Location: Throughout Maine

MidCoast Maine is home to many farms—celebrate Maine’s agrarian heritage by visiting one on Open Farm Day!  Depending on the farm you choose, you’ll find samples of locally-made cheeses, meats, foods made from fresh farm-raised vegetables, games, hay rides, farm animals to pet, a variety of demonstrations, and much more!  A full list of participating farms and more information is available through the Get Real Get Maine website: http://www.getrealmaine.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/calendar.detail/event_id/9/index.htm.

Belfast Art Walk:

Come to town from 5-8PM to visit the 19 participating galleries, listen and watch musicians, dancers and performers in the streets, and experience the wonderfully unique and diverse art the town has to offer.  Gallery maps can be found in town or by visiting www.artsbelfast.com. Belfast Gallery Walks are on the first Friday of the month from June to December and every Friday night in July and August.

Boothbay Harbor Region Art Walk:

Regional Art Galleries open their doors with special treats on the first Friday of each Month.  See this week’s edition of the Boothbay Register for listings of Galleries and details. 207-633-7025

AIR (Arts in Rockland)

Wander through twenty-one galleries on the first Friday of the month from 5-8pm as part of AIR: Arts in Rockland. For more information, visit http://www.artsinrockland.com/

Bath

More than two dozen studios take part in this summer’s Bath Art Walks, which are held every third Friday of the month from 5-7:30pm. Visit http://www.fiveriversartsalliance.org/events/artwalk3rdfriday.aspx for more information.

Brunswick and Topsham

Every second Friday of the month, Brunswick and Topsham hold 5-8pm downtown art walks on either side of the Androscoggin River.  You’ll find more than 30 galleries to explore!  Visit the website http://www.midcoastmaine.com/things-to-do/arts.php for more information.