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by Outspoken on Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:46 pm
Off and running
Like a row of dominoes, once Maine's summer festivals start falling, there's pretty much no stopping them until Labor Day.
By BOB KEYES
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
In Maine, any old reason is good enough for a party.
If you can grow it, cook it, eat it, drink it, shuck it, skip it, peel it, play it, sail it or otherwise ride it, Maine has a festival to celebrate it.
And because our season is short, we like to pack them all right together, like a can of good sardines. From now through Labor Day, almost every weekend has a celebration in honor of some dead critter or some batch of berries.
Here is a sampling of some of the major festivals happening this summer in Maine. Catch your breath and enjoy – summer will be over before you know it.
The Old Port Festival, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. For people in Portland, this marks the unofficial kick-off of summer, with more than a half-dozen music stages, artisan tents, food and other festival fare. www.portlandmaine.com
Blistered Fingers Family Bluegrass Festival, June 19-22 and Aug. 21-24, Sidney. Bluegrass bands from around the region come to Sidney for this twice-a-summer get-together. www.blisteredfingers.com
Margaretta Day Festival, June 21, Machias. We all know the Revolutionary War began in Lexington and Concord in April 1775. But fewer people realize the first naval activity occurred in the waters of what is now Maine, near Machias. Known locally as the "Lexington of the Sea," the battle occurred in June 1775. www.machiaschamber.org
Acadian Festival, June 22-29, Madawaska. It bills itself as Maine's largest cultural festival, and we are not inclined to argue with the good folks from Madawaska. www.acadianfestival.com
Windjammer Days, June 24-25, Boothbay Harbor. Fully rigged windjammers sail into the harbor for two days of parades, concerts and fireworks. www.boothbayharbor.com
Greek Heritage Festival, June 26-28, Portland. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church at the corner of Pleasant and Park streets hosts this popular event, attended annually by more than 10,000 people. They come for the food, mostly – thick, gooey pastries and succulent souvlaki. There's also music, art and displays of icons and crosses. www.holytrinityportland.org
La Kermesse Festival, June 26-29, Biddeford. Everybody's French in Biddeford for La Kermesse, which boasts parades, arts and crafts, rides and French heritage events. www.lakermessefestival.com
South Berwick Strawberry Festival, June 29, South Berwick. Everything strawberry and then some, with 20,000 visitors. www.southberwickstrawberryfestival.com
Native American Festival and Maine Indian Basketmakers Market, July 5, College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor. Master artisans and apprentices will be on hand as Maine's four Indian tribes celebrate their heritage.
More here: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=190935&ac=Insight
2007 Blethen Maine News Service file
Like a row of dominoes, once Maine's summer festivals start falling, there's pretty much no stopping them until Labor Day.
By BOB KEYES
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
In Maine, any old reason is good enough for a party.
If you can grow it, cook it, eat it, drink it, shuck it, skip it, peel it, play it, sail it or otherwise ride it, Maine has a festival to celebrate it.
And because our season is short, we like to pack them all right together, like a can of good sardines. From now through Labor Day, almost every weekend has a celebration in honor of some dead critter or some batch of berries.
Here is a sampling of some of the major festivals happening this summer in Maine. Catch your breath and enjoy – summer will be over before you know it.
The Old Port Festival, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. For people in Portland, this marks the unofficial kick-off of summer, with more than a half-dozen music stages, artisan tents, food and other festival fare. www.portlandmaine.com
Blistered Fingers Family Bluegrass Festival, June 19-22 and Aug. 21-24, Sidney. Bluegrass bands from around the region come to Sidney for this twice-a-summer get-together. www.blisteredfingers.com
Margaretta Day Festival, June 21, Machias. We all know the Revolutionary War began in Lexington and Concord in April 1775. But fewer people realize the first naval activity occurred in the waters of what is now Maine, near Machias. Known locally as the "Lexington of the Sea," the battle occurred in June 1775. www.machiaschamber.org
Acadian Festival, June 22-29, Madawaska. It bills itself as Maine's largest cultural festival, and we are not inclined to argue with the good folks from Madawaska. www.acadianfestival.com
Windjammer Days, June 24-25, Boothbay Harbor. Fully rigged windjammers sail into the harbor for two days of parades, concerts and fireworks. www.boothbayharbor.com
Greek Heritage Festival, June 26-28, Portland. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church at the corner of Pleasant and Park streets hosts this popular event, attended annually by more than 10,000 people. They come for the food, mostly – thick, gooey pastries and succulent souvlaki. There's also music, art and displays of icons and crosses. www.holytrinityportland.org
La Kermesse Festival, June 26-29, Biddeford. Everybody's French in Biddeford for La Kermesse, which boasts parades, arts and crafts, rides and French heritage events. www.lakermessefestival.com
South Berwick Strawberry Festival, June 29, South Berwick. Everything strawberry and then some, with 20,000 visitors. www.southberwickstrawberryfestival.com
Native American Festival and Maine Indian Basketmakers Market, July 5, College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor. Master artisans and apprentices will be on hand as Maine's four Indian tribes celebrate their heritage.
More here: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=190935&ac=Insight
2007 Blethen Maine News Service file
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
