It’s shaping up to be a beautiful weekend here in central and western Maine, and the community event calendar is full to the brim. No excuses to be bored this weekend. Let’s dive in.
Steve Muise is one of the musicians featured in the Franco-American Fiddlers Rendezvous in Kennedy Park on Aug. 8. Submitted photo
Franco-American Fiddlers Rendezvous
When: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8
Where: Kennedy Park, Lewiston
Got French roots? This one’s for you. The Franco-American Fiddlers Rendezvous will be bringing Quebecois and Acadian dance tunes to Kennedy Park on Sunday. Bring a friend and some dancing shoes and explore the information-and-artifact booths hosted around the performance by a couple of local Franco-American cultural organizations. You can learn more about the event here.
Conga player Lenny Hatch plays with with Primo Cubano during the Common Ground Country Fair in Unity, Maine on Sept.22, 2019. Morning Sentinel photo by Rich Abrahamson
Paris Hill Music Festival
When: 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, and Saturday, Aug. 7
Where: Paris Hill Country Club at 455 Paris Hill Road, South Paris
Bring your own chair to this two-day music festival hosted by the Paris Hill Country Club and opened Friday by WOXO’s MC Heidi Adam. Friday, shake it to music from Primo Cubano and Classic Rock Orchestra; Saturday, prepare your ears for sweet sounds from The Latch, a popular local band helmed by Maine teens, and yes, a band called Motor Booty Affair. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit scholarships for Maine youth, so you can feel good while you dance. Food and beverages will be supplied.
“Turtle Race” by Judson Pealer Submitted photo
Western Maine Art Group’s First Friday Reception
When: Friday, Aug. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Where: Main Street Gallery at 426 Main St. in Norway
Get a glimpse at work from fine artists living in Western Maine at this Friday’s show from the Western Maine Art Group. This Friday, the abstract and colorful work of Judson Pealer will be featured, as well as the work of local artists from across the style spectrum. (Want to browse at another time? The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.)
A little farther north…
Casey Abrams
The Waterville Rocks Concert Series Hosts Casey Abrams
When: Beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6
Where: Head of Falls in Waterville
Casey Abrams, the American Idol season 10 finalist and multi-instrumentalist, will be playing at the latest installment of the Waterville Rocks concert series this Friday. The beer garden opens up at 5:30 p.m., and music starts at 6 p.m. and will go until 8:30. Best part? It’s free. Head to the Head of Falls in Waterville if the weather’s good; if it’s rainy, you can find the music at the Waterville Opera House on 1 Common Street. Learn more here.
Mike Pelletier of M & M Ice Cream power-washes the driveway in front of his ice cream stand near the grandstands Tuesday at the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds. Pelletier, who has served ice cream at the fair since 2012, said he was also power-washing and painting his building before the fair opens. The fair runs from Aug. 12-21. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
The 203rd Annual Skowhegan State Fair
When: Thursday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 21
Where: 33 Constitution Ave., Skowhegan
Central Mainers can head up to Skowhegan beginning today for 10 days of Skowhegan’s classic annual state fair. With it comes the return of Dollar Days (you can get into the fairgrounds for just $1 on August 12 and August 17), the circus, livestock shows and agricultural events, antique cars and games, and more. The fair runs until Sunday, August 21, so you’ve got time to pop by. Learn more about the fair, and its COVID-19 precautions, here.
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