MainersWeekly May 23rd-30th

Color Runs, Mills for Miles, Lilac & Strawberry Festivals, Farmers markets reopening, Seasonal Courses, Parades and Popeyes

MAINERSWEEKLY TOP PICKS

Sat: if you're feeling energetic, take your family on a color run. If you want a more relaxing day, enjoy the Lilac Festival. Mon: attend a Memorial Day parade, enjoy the Fine Art & Makers Festival or run a 5K Miles for Mills (event listings below). Take time to enjoy those night sky events like the Milky Way.

Sat/ May 23rd: Seedling Sale & Plant Swap Winslow 10AM. 80 Garland Road

Sat/May 30th: 6th Annual Plant Sale 8-2 Winthrop Historical Society. Plant donations are also welcome.

opening days vary, make sure to check the link for detailed info

Augusta: Tuesday’s Mill Park 2-6PM

Belgrade: Sunday’s 8-1, 7 Lakes Alliance

Hallowell: Saturday’s: Stevens Commons 9-12PM

Waterville: Thurs: Downtown Waterville @ Head of Falls Park 2-6

Winthrop: Thurs:(June 4-Sept10) 2-6, Downtown Parking Lot

Are you a homeschooler parent? IT’S NO SECRET that more local families are exploring flexible learning options. With summer around the corner and fall enrollments beginning soon, if homeschooling or alternative ed has ever crossed your mind, even a little, THRIVE’s Open House is worth a visit.

What is THRIVE? It’s a Manchester-based homeschool enrichment community focused on hands-on learning, creativity, social connection & support for K–8 homeschool families Their Open House is happening THIS Tues, May 26th from 5:30–6:30 PM. Click here for more info!

Hosted by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ,Saturday, June 7, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Lake St. George State Park (Liberty, ME)

Hosted by Maine Motorcycle Rider Education Program May 30 – June 1, 2026, June 13–15, 2026 Augusta / Central Maine training sites$99–$125, includes bike + helmet + licensing test, Required step for many new riders

HUNTER SAFETY COURSE (REQUIRED FOR NEW HUNTERS) Hosted by Maine Hunter Safety Program Online (self-paced) + Field Day Options, May 31, 2026 | Sidney, ME. June 14, 2026 | Augusta, ME, Free, Required for hunting license (new hunters)

BOATING SAFETY CERTIFICATION Hosted by Maine Boating Safety Program, May 24, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Augusta area, June 21, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Free–$20 depending on course, Covers navigation + safety

ARCHERY / SHOOTING RANGE EVENTS (LOCAL CLUBS), Weekly Open Range Nights (May–June), Beginner Clinics: Typically Saturdays (check local clubs), Augusta / Sidney / surrounding towns

Need help getting the house cleaned after our long winter and mud season? Not Your Mother’s Housekeeping has you covered - Voted Top Cleaning Company in 2025. Call them while you can. Grab your discount below! Check em out here.

Congratulations to A Cat’s Familiar for winning 50% off your deep clean or 25% off a basic clean! Thank you for being a loyal subscriber!

The Readfield Fairgrounds Community Park project is officially underway, and it’s shaping up to become a major new recreation space for local families, kids, and community events. We’re talking a new ballfield, basketball court, expanded parking, landscaping and walking areas, and improved utilities and drainage systems!

Construction and site work will continue through 2027 with help from local volunteers, businesses, and community donations. The project team is currently looking for:

✔️ volunteers
✔️ contractors
✔️ equipment/material donations
✔️ landscaping and carpentry help
✔️ local community support

If you’d like to contribute, volunteer, or learn more, contact the Readfield Town Office at 207-685-4939.

Creative nights, painting events, local makers & community art happenings.

All Over Kennebec- CRE8TIVE EVENTS WITH SUPER FUN ARTIST SUE Various dates, starts at 6PM, lots of painting and other craft events

Belgrade - Sparkle Art Studio’s summer art schedule is up and running

Waterville Creates -various classes & events for everyone!

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Augusta

Sat/May 23: Color Run. 12-5 Join in a lively run along the Kennebec River, with colorful powder stations and music.

Mon/May 25th: 9AM 14th Annual Miles for Mills 5K Walk/Run @Waterfront Park

Sat/May 23: Augusta Viles Arboretum Lilac Festival Nature activities, educational opportunities, entertainment, plant + makers market. $5; free for members and children

Gardiner

Fri May 22nd: The FogCutters Johnson Hall Opera House 7:30 PM. Rock Punk Band w/ dancing

Manchester

Tues May 26th: THRIVE Homeschool Enrichment OPEN HOUSE 5:30-6:30

Sidney

Mon/Tues May 25-26th: FREE Kennebec Valley Art Association and Fine Art & Maker’s Festival. 10AM at Snow Pond Center

Waterville

Sat/ May 23rd: The Wallflowers Waterville Opera House

Wed/ May 27th: The Righteous Brothers - Waterville Opera House

Augusta The Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery Association is set to hold a Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. at the cemetery on Civic Center Drive.

Gardiner A parade is planned to begin at 10 a.m. at the Gardiner Armory, Brunswick Avenue, and ends at the Gardiner Common on Water Street for a ceremony.

Richmond A Memorial Day parade is set to begin at 11 a.m. starting at the Gardiner Area High School on West Hill Road, to Main Street, to the Kennebec River waterfront on Front Street for a brief ceremony.

Wayne Observance starts at 11 a.m., with the parade assembling at the Wayne Community Church parking lot.

Brunswick Memorial Day Parade - Not in Kennebec, but it’s the largest in the state… it begins at Monument Place at 8:45 a.m.Mon May 25 – Topsham Municipal Building

Belgrade

Sat/June 6th - Waterdance Farm Barn Quilt! Get your tickets while you can.

Litchfield

June 18th-21st Blistered Fingers - Bluegrass Festival

Waterville

Sun/June 1st: 12-4PM Central Maine Pride Festival at The Head of Falls

June 4th: TESLA Waterville Opera House 8PM

Winthrop

Sun/May31st: Spring Ritual Market at the Absolum Cider. 12-5PM. The first of 3 mini markets. 15+ vendors, food truck and cider!

Bangor

Fri/May 29th: I Love the 90’s Tour Cross Insurance Center 7PM

Dover/Foxcroft

Sat/June 13th: Whoopie Pie Festival 10-4PM

Gardiner: Waterfront Concert Series, every Fri 6-8:30 (starts mid June)

Augusta: Waterfront Concert Series, every Wed 6-8

Hallowell: Plenty of local music concert venues

Bowl in the Pines, Sidney - you HAVE to check out this little local gem

An impressive line up. Here’s just a few of MANY: Jo Dee Messina, Alison Krauss, Blues Traveler & Gin Blossoms.

Waterfront Concerts, Bangor - Not in Kennebec, but an amazing line up!

One of the prettiest sky sights this week. A thin crescent moon and bright Venus (“the Evening Star”) are appearing close together just after sunset in the western sky. Jupiter is also nearby. Best Viewing: About 30–60 minutes after sunset, Western horizon, Clear evenings. This is VERY easy to see without a telescope.

With the recent new moon, darker skies are making it a GREAT time to see the Milky Way in Maine, especially away from city lights. Great local viewing spots; Belgrade Lakes area, Readfield/Mount Vernon backroads, Vaughan Woods area, Coastal overlooks, Anywhere with low light pollution

The Eta Aquariids recently peaked, but some meteors are still visible through late May. These meteors come from debris left by Halley’s Comet. Best viewing, Before dawn, Dark skies, Look east/southeast

This month has TWO full moons, making the second one a rare “Blue Moon.”

Great chance for: lake photos, night hikes, campfire content, photography features