This local gem in Augusta has received so much praise already! https://www.thekennebecroom.com

“Downtown Augusta has a new place to settle in. The Kennebec Room, the ground-floor pub from Caldwell & Park Hospitality, pairs the warmth of a neighborhood gathering spot with a kitchen and bar that take their craft seriously. The smoker sets the tone: slow-cooked barbecue anchors a menu built for long lunches and unhurried dinners. Behind the bar, local pride flows from the tap lines, led by Cushnoc Brewing on draft. The atmosphere is upscale without the pretense. You can come in for a working lunch, a date night, or a pint after a long week, and you'll feel equally at home.” -Joc, Owner

After a delicious meal head upstairs to the Nightcap Lounge. It has awesome speakeasy vibes and relaxing lounge chairs for an after dinner drink.

FROM LOCAL CIDERS & BREWERIES TO SHOPS, HIKES, EVENTS AND MORE! DOWNLOAD THE 3 PAGE PDF & SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. You can also share across your socials and don’t forget to mention MainersWeekly.

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I haven’t found any leads to its whereabouts, but will keep you posted when I do. In the meantime, Elroy Morgan wins first place for their 1,847 pound pumpkin at the Damariscotta PumpkinFest kick off.

Want to do something spooktacular this halloween season? Hop aboard the Boo Bus for a unique evening of spooks, mystery, fun and great company! Looks like there’s a few slots left, but they seem to be selling out quickly so I would act fast. https://kennebeccreepsandcrawls.com/

“Migrants will head south, and leaves will fall, but autumn is the season of change, not of loss. Countless birds, bats, and insects take to the sky on a daunting journey, sometimes over oceans, sometimes by the stars, always risking it all for winter survival. After filling our spring and summer with color, melody, and dance, fall migration can feel like a lonely departure of old friends. But if you know where and when to look, you’ll witness fantastic farewell displays, spot surprising voyagers, and welcome winter visitors.

Raptor migration season is the best time to witness one of nature’s most mesmerizing aerial displays- kettles of migrating hawks.

In Maine, broad-winged hawks steal the show with overwhelmingly large kettles, a delicately choreographed vortex of raptors, sometimes hundreds or even thousands strong. The birds, almost never flapping, circle upwards with apparent weightlessness, gaining altitude on rising thermals. From great heights they then take a free ride, gliding toward the next thermal. It’s an almost hypnotic spectacle for viewers bidding farewell from summits and ridges below, and an efficient method of migration to Central and South America for broad-winged hawks.”

Come check it out during the Scarecrow Festival on October 17th.

Scarecrows are on display from Sept 21-Nov 4th.

Check out more about the festival here: https://waterstreethallowell.org/scarecrow

The leaves are falling fast. If you want to get out and enjoy, this could be your last weekend.

I guess a gift of a no rain summer are the brightest of leaves!

Here’s your current report: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/projects/fall_foliage/report/index.shtml

Rangley Lakes Scenic Hills Highway - 52 miles drive features the famous Height of Land overlook on Route 17, offering sweeping views of lakes and forested mountains. You can also drive up nearby Quill Hill for 360-degree panoramic views.

Old Canada Road Byway - This 78-mile route follows the Kennebec River and Wyman Lake north from Skowhegan toward Jackman. It runs through deep timber country with vibrant autumn hills and high moose activity.

Acadia National Park Loop Road - A 27-mile coastal drive combining dramatic ocean cliffs, granite mountains, and brilliant fall colors. Peak conditions here typically arrive by mid-October.

Take a peek at peak foliage, plus lots of events to pique your interest. Wife Carrying, cornhole, a craft fair, and more. This weekend has it all, make sure you're part of the fun.

The gym floor will feature specialized sensory equipment designed to support fine and gross motor development, strength, coordination, and social interaction. Equipment includes swings, climbing structures, a zip slider, a trampoline, crash mats, a designated toddler area, imaginative play stations, and a calming room. There will also be a teen area, therapy hub, and rock shop. https://www.werockthespectrumcentralme.com

“Right now, we’re very excited because we’re about to host our first multi-course dinner experience. It’s a Sake & Small Plate Experience featuring five courses, four curated sake pairings, and one signature sake cocktail. During the dinner, we’ll talk about each dish and the sake it’s paired with. It’s a fun way for us to showcase  food, culture and storytelling in a more intimate setting. We hope this will be the first of many special dining experiences to come at Bao & Beyond”

https://www.chilichili.net/422800/bao-and-beyond-brings-big-flavor-to-augusta-with-togarashi-vegan-treats-more/

HOW ABOUT FREE TICKETS, TONS OF ACTIVITIES…AND EVEN SEEDS?

Lithgow Library - Augusta, Hubbard Library - Hallowell. Cumston Library - Monmouth, Bailey Library - Winthrop, Waterville Public Library - Waterville, Readfield Community Library - Readfield, Belgrade Public Library - Belgrade

Jessica Fike at Brookewood Realty can help you discover local homes, lake properties, and communities that fit your lifestyle. Visit here for updated listings.

Belgrade

Oct 11th: Vintage Craft Book Pop Up Market @ WaterDance Farms 10-2PM

Gardiner

Oct 10th: Swine and Stein Brewfest. All-day sampling of beers, wines and spirits.
Succulent pork. Epic bands. Quirky games.
All in Gardiner’s historic downtown!

Monmouth

Oct 17th: Capitol City Improv Teaches You History with Dennis Price @ Cumstom Hall 6:30PM

Augusta

Oct 24-25th: The 29th Annual Snowmobile & Powersports Show @ Civic Center

Oct 31st: The Boo Ball @ Civic Center. 8PM-12AM. It’s the largest Halloween Bash in Central Maine, with Live music from the Eric Grant Band! There will be themed treats, a cash bar, and a costume contest!

Nov 14-15th: The Largest Indoor Flea Market @Civi Center. 8-3PM

Waterville

Nov 9th: Family Ceramics Paint Night @Elmhearst Pottery Studio 12:30 PM

Auburn

Oct 29th: Fright Festival 5 7:30 Trunk or Treats will be there too.

Brewer

Oct 24th-25th: The Odds & Ends Artisans Market @ Brewer Auditorium

BoothBay Harbor

Oct 10th-11th: Fall Foliage Festival @Railway Village

Damariscotta

Oct 9th-12th: PumpkinFest & Regatta

Freeport

Oct 16-18th: Camp Sunshine Pumpkin Festival @ LLBean. Movie night, pumpkin carving, 5K and more.

Fryburg

Oct 4th-Oct11th: The Fryburg Fair. Enjoy livestock, events, exhibitions and camping!

Newry

Oct 10th - 11AM North American Wife Carrying Championship Event @ Sunday River

Portland & Bangor. Oct 16th-18th for Portland & Oct 23rd-25th Bangor

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow N Fire @ Cross Insurance Center

Portland

Oct 16-17th: Harvest on the Harbor. Maine’s Premier Coastal Food Festival. Oysters and lobsters oh my.

Portland

Nov 20th: How the Grinch Stole Christmas @ Merrill Auditorium 6PM

Rockland

Nov 28th: Parade of Lights @ Owls Head Trasnportaiton Museum 6PM

Apple season is quickly aproachingp! Grab a bag and make a fall day of it at one of these local orchards:

🍎 Lakeside Orchards, Manchester
Pick-your-own apples, farm store, fresh cider, baked goods & cider donuts.

🍏 Lemieux’s Orchard, Vassalboro
Pick-your-own apples, cider, donuts, pies, pumpkins & fall activities.

🍎 Kents Hill Orchard, Readfield
A smaller local orchard with apple picking, beautiful views & homemade treats.

🍏 Applewald Farm, Litchfield
Family-run farm with apples, fresh produce & a relaxed country-farm feel.

🍎 Chick’s Apple & Berry Farm, Monmouth
Pick-your-own apples & pumpkins with views overlooking Cochnewagan Lake.

🍏 Bond’s Orchard, Richmond
A small family orchard offering a quieter, traditional apple-picking experience.

TIP: Apple varieties and picking conditions change throughout the season, so check with the orchard before making the trip

See the Dark Festival Oct. 4–11 | Maine North Woods
This starts Sunday at AMC's Medawisla Lodge in the Maine Woods International Dark Sky Park. It includes guided astronomy, stargazing, hikes, workshops, music and other dark-sky programming. You don't necessarily have to stay at the lodge to participate in evening programming; AMC says a dinner reservation can provide access. Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)/ See the Dark Festival

Free Dark Skies Telescope Night — Harpswell Saturday, October 10 · 6–9 PM

At Mitchell Field, Southern Maine Astronomers will provide telescopes, a guided constellation tour and information about light pollution. Free and open to everyone.

Draconid Meteor Shower — October 8–9

Peaks tonight into Friday, with the best viewing shortly after dark. Expect a modest number of meteors rather than a major meteor storm.

New Moon — Saturday, October 10

One of the best nights of the month for observing faint stars, galaxies and star clusters because moonlight won't interfere.

Orionid Meteor Shower — October 21–22