Falling for festival season – don’t miss these fun autumn events!
By Special Sections,
2024-08-28
ARTICLE BY EMILY BAER
Summer is often the golden child of road trips and adventure, but there’s no shortage of fun to be had in Maine as the seasons change. Whether you’re interested in sticking close to home or exploring the state’s farther reaches, fall fairs and festivals await. Plan ahead, arrive hungry, and expect the unexpected.
The Eastport Pirate Festival
There’s treasure to be found in Maine’s Down East region! Three days worth of it. Whether you’re a salty sailor or landlubber for life, the Eastport Pirate Festival is pure gold. When you arrive you’ll find yourself awash in a crowd of swashbuckling visitors, musicians, street performers, artists, vendors, and more. Throughout the festival, there are as many chances to engage in the town’s rich maritime history as there are to indulge your more playful whims. Kids can try their hand at sword fighting, participate in cutlass lessons, enjoy a concert or puppet show, compete in a costume competition, or make art at interactive stations scattered around town. The more seasoned pirates in your midst might be found throwing axes, running the barrel-race, or enjoying historical reenactments, live music, and food truck fare with whatever motley crew you’ve set sail with. Either way, you’ll want all hands on deck. This one-of-a-kind Maine experience is one nobody should miss.
Sept. 6-8 | eastportpiratefestival.com
Trails End Festival
For 17 years, the Trails End Festival has celebrated the Katahdin’s region’s spirit of adventure with three days of live music, food, and entertainment. As much an event for thru-hikers as it is for fair-weather explorers, this year’s festivities kick off Friday afternoon with three back-to-back shows featuring Maine favorites, including the “world-famous” Grassholes bluegrass band. The next two days are jam packed too. On the music front there’s everything from country, honky-tonk, and Americana to blues, soul, and jam-band style extravaganzas. In between shows, you can check out local vendors, taste test during the chili cook-off, and indulge your sweet tooth at the home-made pies and cakes auction. There’s plenty for kids to do too, with a bounce house, face painting, and games around town. It’s hard to imagine there’s anywhere else you’ll see canoes, kayaks, sleds, ATVs, bikes, and skis as centerpieces to a parade, so make sure you catch the All Trails Lead to Millinocket Parade on Saturday. Even pups will get in on the action during the Mutt Strut. On Sunday afternoon, a flock of fearless rubber duckies will race down Millinocket Stream. And for those with enough energy left to chase them, there’s the No Duck Left Behind Paddle. Before you head home you can help wrangle runaway ducks with kayaks and safety gear provided by Katahdin Outfitters.
Sept. 13-15, | trailsendfestival.org
Common Ground Country Fair
One of Maine’s most iconic events, the Common Ground Country Fair is a three-day celebration of organic agriculture, rural living, and sustainable communities. Each year, over 60,000 visitors make their way to Unity in search of inspiration, education, and fun. With more than 900 vendors and exhibitors, there’s nowhere else in the world you can eat an heirloom apple, pet a donkey, enjoy fresh pad thai, buy a handwoven wall-hanging, watch kids rocket down a grass hill on cardboard sleds, and listen to world-renowned experts share tips on regenerative agricultural practices all in one day. There’s truly nothing else like it. In addition to the Common Ground Education Center, where the fair is hosted, you can explore the Maine Heritage Orchard and organic demonstration gardens. There is also a 5K, fiddler’s showcase, draft horse show, poultry exhibit, exhibition hall, and children’s area. And, if you’re looking for something truly unique, there’s the Harry S. Truman Manure Pitch Off, which takes place only on Friday and Saturday. This may be your one chance to test your manure throwing skills so don’t miss it. Otherwise, keep an eye on the MOFGA website for updated lists of workshops, speakers, kids activities, and live music.
Sept. 20-22 | mofga.org/the-fair
Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta
The annual Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta is as much about community as it is about competition. And courage. It takes a certain kind of brave to hollow out a giant pumpkin, outfit it with a motor, and set off into the wild blue yonder, but it’s happened every year since 2007 and there are no signs of stopping. Quite the opposite in fact. Equal parts fun and imagination, the all-volunteer festival continues to grow like the giant pumpkins it showcases. This year’s event will feature the iconic pumpkin regatta, a pumpkin derby, live music, and a parade. There will be a Kids Zone, a pumpkin dessert contest, a pie eating competition, and, of course, the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth Weigh Off. Throughout town you’ll find giant, painted pumpkins featuring the work of local artists, and stories about the farmers and families who grew them. Organizers expect more than 14,000 visitors so plan your trip and clear your plate. You’ll want to be hungry when you get there.
Oct. 12-14 | mainepumpkinfest.com
Autumn Gold Festival
An official marker of fall is Ellsworth’s Autumn Gold Festival, which features an array of activities and attractions that anyone can enjoy. Follow the golden flags to find everything from boat rides and car shows to live music, art exhibitions, a golf tournament, food vendors, games, the annual Mutt Strut, and more. Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to get to know area businesses and organizations as they showcase their creativity and sense of community spirit with in-store events, discounts, and decorations. Hosted by the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce, this annual festival embodies their mission to boost tourism and foster community connections.
Sept. 26-29 | ellsworthchamber.org/autumn-gold
Downeast Cider and Cheese Festival
Ellsworth’s Downeast Cider and Cheese Festival celebrates two of Maine’s most iconic agricultural traditions. Having enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, cheese and cider purveyors around the state continue to offer a surprising variety of products to new and steadfast consumers. This festival, the only one of its kind in the state, underscores the community-oriented nature of both traditions by bringing together foodies, artists, experts, and musicians, for concerts, tastings, and workshops that explore the various aspects of cheese and cider making in Maine. If you’re curious about foraging wild and heritage apples, want to expand your palette and don’t know where to start, have dreams of becoming a pommelier, or are a self-proclaimed turophile, you’ll want to be there.
The bounty of Maine’s harvest season is on full display at the Maine Harvest Festival and Craft Show in Bangor. With hundreds of vendors showcasing their Maine-made goods, it’s a veritable feast for all five senses. This year marks the 12th anniversary of the festival and will welcome over 200 farmers, artisans, and exhibitors as they share and sell products. Visitors can sample products, talk with producers about where and how their goods are made, and learn about Maine’s many agricultural industries. This year, the show also highlights the work of craftspeople from across northern New England. Work on your holiday wishlist as you wander the aisles, try out new offerings from your favorite local companies, and enjoy the opportunity to sample the diverse and delicious menu that is Maine!
Nov. 23-24 | maineharvestfestival.com
Bangor Authors’ Book Fair & Literary Festival
The third annual Bangor Authors’ Book Fair & Literary Festival aims to connect bibliophiles, booksellers, and writers during a one-day extravaganza in celebration of the written word. With more than 90 authors and 1,600 visitors, there’s no shortage of opportunities to meet your favorite writers and connect with like-minded creatives in your community. All genres will be represented. In addition to book talks, panel discussions, book signings, and networking events, this year’s festival will feature Maine literary lion Paul Doiran, author of the beloved Mike Bowditch Mystery series, as keynote speaker.
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