Get your hike on...

By Melanie Brooks

It's been a busy few days...so busy in fact that I didn't get a chance to post the weekly What's Happening list of weekend events. Shame on me! Thursday I left work early to head down to Portland to have dinner with a friend who just had her second child. I was up bright and early on Friday and spent the day spreading the news about Real Maine Weddings to vendors in the Kennebunk and Kennebunkport area. I spent the day in Kittery on Saturday and on Sunday, Sidekick Shane and I headed to MDI to do a little hiking.

The "Black Ghost" of Maine

By Melanie Brooks
Illustration by Brad Eden

In honor of the hunting guide who was mauled by a bear earlier this week, I'd like to tell you about a neat event the Bangor Land Trust has planned for next weekend...a Bear Walk!

Bangor Metro + United Way = Awesome!

Bangor Metro and the United Way of Eastern Maine have partnered up to help raise money for a worthy cause. Readers who subscribe to Bangor Metro will have $5 of their subscription donated to the United Way. All you have to do is give us the promo code: UNITED when you call. Easy enough, right? Do your community a favor and treat yourself to the best regional magazine around and sign up today.

Gubernatorial-palooza!

By Melanie Brooks

It's nearly mid-September already and the elections are right around the corner! How did this happen?! If you're like many other busy Mainers, you probably haven't had a lot of time to ponder who you are going to vote for this November...but that can be changed.

ELEVEN organizations are teaming up with Bangor Greendrinks to host a gubernatorial forum on Maine's quality of place at the Bangor Opera House on Tuesday, September 21st. Join Greendrinkers for a pre-forum pint at 5 pm in the lobby and stay for the debate, which will start at 6 pm.

Democratic candidate, Libby Mitchell, along with the trio of Independent candidates, Eliot Cutler, Shawn Moody, and Kevin Scott have confirmed their attendance. We're not quite sure about Paul LePage yet but regardless, it's your chance to hear how our next governor intends to protect and promote Maine's productive landscapes, vital downtowns, distinct cultural heritage, and more.

Participating hosts: GrowSmart Maine, Maine Development Foundation's Downtown Center, Maine Downtown Coalition, Maine Conservation Voters Education Fund, Maine Farmland Trust, Maine Preservation, Trust for Public Land, Maine Rural Partners, Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, Bicycle Coalition of Maine, and Healthy Community Coalition.

Like all Bangor Greendrinks events, this is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there! For more information check out Bangor Greendrinks on Facebook and become a fan while you're at it.

Contest for the Kids!

The holiday season is fast approaching, and we have an awesome new contest to debut. We want your kids to help us promote shopping locally for all their holiday needs this year. We'll be awarding a $50 Visa gift card to three winners in three age categories. And the three winning ads will run in our December issue!

We can't wait to see what our littlest readers come up with! All the details are below. If you click on the image it will open as a larger file.

What's Happening This Weekend...

The leaves aren't turning yet...but it's definitely becoming fall! Get out there and take advantage of all the fall festivals.

International Seaplane Fly-In
September 9-12
Greenville
Join land and float plane pilots from all over the world for a special weekend of float-plane competitions, educational exhibits, Moosehead Lake Region’s largest craft fair, food, and more.
www.seaplanefly-in.org

Fiber College on Penobscot Bay
September 9-12
Searsport
Celebrate all that is wool, silk, cotton, and wood over four days of intimate classes. Free scheduled demonstrations, presentations, vendor booths, food, and more. Fun for the whole family.
www.fibercollege.org

Acadia Night Sky Festival
September 9-13
Mount Desert Island
Centered on Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park, the festival celebrates the protection and enjoyment of Downeast/Acadia's stellar night sky through education, science, and the arts. From an ecotourism panel discussion to day-time hands-on activities to stargazing in Acadia National Park, the public is invited to share the inspiration of Maine's spectacular night sky.
www.nightskyfestival.org

Alan Jackson in Concert
September 10
Bangor Waterfront
Country music legend Alan Jackson will perform live on the Bangor waterfront as part of his Freight Train Tour. 7:30 pm. $30–$80.
www.waterfrontconcerts.com

Trails End Festival
September 10-12
Millinocket
Come to the Katahdin region and celebrate with food, music, activities, and fun for the whole family in downtown Millinocket and the surrounding area. This year’s featured entertainment is David Mallett in Veteran’s Memorial Park.
www.trailsendfestival.org

Eastport Pirate Festival
September 10-12
Eastport
This event is the largest pirate festival in northern New England and the Maritimes for good reason—a swashbuckling good time! Festivities include a pirates ball, parade, bed races, pirate ship race, lobster boat races, and music.
www.eastportpiratefestival.com

Jason Mraz in Concert
September 11
Bangor Waterfront
Popular singer, songwriter Jason Mraz will perform live on the Bangor Waterfront as part of the Hollywood Slots Waterfront Concert Series. 8 pm. $30–$50.
www.waterfrontconcerts.com

Bangor Car Show: Wheels on the Waterfront
September 11
Bangor Waterfront
Come see cars in over 20 classes show off on the Bangor waterfront—over 200 cars are expected to show this year. Rain or shine. 9 am–2 pm. Admission is free.
www.bangorcarshow.com

Garland Days
September 11
Garland
Garland’s annual fair kicks off with a parade. Other events include a craft fair, farmers market, and games for children. 9 am.
924-3053

Medieval Tournament at Fort Knox
September 11
Experience life in medieval times by watching knights in armored combat, listening to live medieval music, seeing art and science displays, and viewing an archery demonstration. 10 am–4 pm.
http://fortknox.maineguide.com

An Evening with C.S. Lewis
September 11
The Grand, Ellsworth
David Payne’s hit one man show is a memorable and entertaining production, which never fails to move the audience. 7:30 pm.
www.grandonline.org

Songs of Broadway
September 11
Collins Center for the Arts, Orono
Christina Saffran Ashford, soprano, and Norman Large, tenor, star in this production with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. These two singers will perform hits from shows such as Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady, and Chicago. 8 pm.
www.collinscenterforthearts.com

Bangor Gun Show
September 11 & 12
Bangor Auditorium
With over 100 vendors gathering at the Bangor Auditorium, this yearly event hosted by the Penobscot County Conservation Association is a must-see. Sat. 9 am–5 pm; Sun. 9 am–2 pm. $7; NRA and law enforcements officers, $6; children under 12, free.
www.conservationassociation.org

Tim McGraw Lobster Bake

By Melanie Brooks

The good folks at McLaughlin's Seafood teamed up with Bangor Metro to host a killer lobster bake before the Tim McGraw concert on Friday. The day was gorgeous, the seafood delicious, and the company was wonderful.

We'd like to thank the other sponsors of this event -- we couldn't have done it without them!

McLaughlin Seafood for the delicious spread; Waterfront Concerts and Live Nation New England for the tickets; Granville Rental & Party Plus for the tent, tables, and chairs; Cellardoor Winery and Wicked Whoopies for filling our gift baskets; and the Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau for helping us pull it all together on the waterfront.

More pictures of the event after the jump...