After two years of most events being canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a slate of summer events is on tap for the Lewiston-Auburn region. Here are some highlights:
7th Annual Great Falls Brewfest, June 25
Kace Pearson of Auburn samples a Mountain Brewing Co. beer, poured by Kyle Alber at the 2019 Great Falls Brewfest in Lewiston on Saturday afternoon. Pearson wore lederhosen that he got on a trip to Munich, Germany. Andree Kehn/ Sun Journal
The 7th Annual Great Falls Brewfest will feature more than 50 breweries — cider and seltzer too — food, vendors, live music and more. It is a ticketed event in Simard-Payne Memorial Park. Tickets can be purchased at baxteroutdoors.com/events/
All attendees will receive a complimentary tasting glass and beer tasting program, according to the website. Entry will grant attendee to a 5.5-hour or 3.5-hour session of unlimited 4-ounce pours from the array of breweries, seltzer, and cider makers.
“Celebrating Lewiston,” June 25
The soccer field at the bottom of Bartlett Hill in Lewiston, pictured in November 2021, has since been named Mike McGraw Park. The Lewiston Youth Advisory Council will hold a “Celebrating Lewiston” event June 25, which will also announce a 10-year sponsorship for the new park. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Organized by the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council, “Celebrating Lewiston” will highlight music, art, history, businesses, career opportunities, recreational opportunities, and more, and will conclude with an announcement of a 10-year sponsor for the field at Mike McGraw Park. The event, which is slated to take place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature music from Josie French as well as drumming from former council member Damon DeWitt. It will feature Somali and Wabanaki history presentations; a “Why I Do Business in Lewiston” panel discussion and Q&A featuring Geiger, Forage, and Mother India; a Lewiston image “paint night” organized by artist Melanie Therrien of Wicked Illustrations; and an interactive offering from the Lewiston Public Library.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit lewistonmaine.gov/lyac.
Liberty Festival, July 4
Fireworks for the 2021 Liberty Festival explode over Great Falls and the Androscoggin River between Lewiston and Auburn with the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston looming in the foreground. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Enjoy spectacular fireworks, food, music, entertainment, displays, vendors and more during Lewiston’s Liberty Festival. The event is scheduled to take place in Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street.
Moxie Festival, July 8 – 10
Runners get an enthusiastic start at the 2021 Moxie Fest 5K in Lisbon. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal.
The Moxie Festival is slated to make a return to Lisbon this summer. The three-day festival will include the traditional Moxie Parade, fireworks, a 5K road race, car show and Moxie chugging event. The festival will kickoff with a fireworks display Friday, July 8 at dusk, launching behind Lisbon High School. The Moxie 5K road race is scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m. the following day. Participants can register at runsignup.com/Race/ME/Lisbon/MoxieDay5K
The Moxie Car Show will take place Sunday, July 10 at Beaver Park in Lisbon. Admission is $10 or $5 for spectators. More information can be found at moxiefestival.com.
Great Falls Balloon Festival, August 19 – 21
Balloons rise Aug. 18, 2019, at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston during the only successful launch of the Great Falls Balloon Festival that year. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal.
The Great Falls Balloon Festival is coming back this summer after being canceled in 2020 and 2021. The three-day event will feature six balloon launches, live music, fireworks, a parade and local vendors. Organizers previously said they are expecting larger-than-normal crowds this year and individuals hoping to book a ride on a hot-air balloon should act fast.
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