This week’s edition!
Events
Art Walk on Friday to be largest yet
On Friday, August 26, “Art Walk Lewiston Auburn” will once again transform the L-A Downtown with performances, artwork and people.
The Art Walk on Friday promises to be the largest so far. The event will feature fresh new artwork from local artists, such as Maine potter Richard Dahlquist and L-A’s own Hillary E. Dow, as well as more performance art elements.
Maine designer and sculptor Michael Good will be giving demonstrations on his fabrication techniques and singer/songwriter Kate Schrock will perform in Dufresne Plaza.
Barker Mill Trail in New Auburn to re-open after years of neglect
Tucked well below the elevation of Mill Street in New Auburn, the Barker Mill Trail was out of sight and out of mind, falling into years of neglect and becoming overgrown and impassable. Now, after a significant volunteer training day by the Maine Army National Guard, the Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT) and the United New Auburn Association are announcing a community work day to prepare this trail along the Little Androscoggin River for regular use.
The trailhead is just off the gate house for the Lower Barker Dam, one of two dams on the Little Androscoggin River that served to power the Barker Mill in its early days of textile production. The Barker Mill Trail follows the Little Androscoggin for a little over a mile before it rejoins Mill Street.
Residents, officials lend a hand for “Community Tree”
(See photos in Aug. 25, 2011 Digital Edition, pages 6 and 7)
Painted colorful hands became leaf imprints for a wooden “Community Tree” on Tuesday, August 9 in Lewiston’s Kennedy Park. The project was the brainchild of Lewiston Recreation Kennedy Park Drop-in Summer Worker Ali Butler, who was assisted by Kaitlin Cornelio and Megan Beliveau.
Butler said that she’d heard a quote about people being like a box of colorful crayons. “Just like what’s in a box of crayons, we are all different shapes, sizes and colors but we’re one community,” she said.
Great Falls Balloon Festival lifts off Friday
(See Balloon Fest schedule, starting on Page 7, in TCT’s Digital Edition)
The 19th Annual Great Falls Balloon Festival lifts off tomorrow along the Androscoggin River with hot-air balloon launches scheduled twice a day at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday—weather permitting—from Simard Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston.
The festival kicks off Friday morning, August 19 and will run through the early evening of Sunday, August 21. This year’s theme, “Critters in the Clouds,” refers to three special-shaped balloons that are scheduled to appear: Whooty the Owl, Annie the Ladybug and Bud E. Beaver.
A full slate of entertainment and activities will take place at both Simard Payne Park and Festival Plaza in Auburn. Local favorites Denny Breau, Terry & The Telstars and The Don Campbell Band will join more than 20 other musicians, local organizations and other entertainers to provide three days worth of enjoyment to crowds expected to exceed 100,000 people.
Join ALT Paddling Society to watch balloon launches
Paddlers of canoes and kayaks invited to join the Androscoggin Land Trust for one of the most unique paddling experiences available in New England
The Great Falls Paddling Society, a promotional program of the Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT) begun in 2009, will have its third “meeting” this weekend as part of the 18th Annual Great Falls Balloon Festival.
Intended to be a creative way to better connect the Androscoggin River to this premier New England Festival, kayak and canoe enthusiasts are being invited to get out their boats and meet other paddlers during each hot air balloon launch during the festival.
Baxter Brewing, DaVinci’s, Squid Jiggers join for fundraiser during Balloon Festival
Baxter Brewing Co. is partnering with mill neighbors, DaVinci’s Eatery and Maine’s premier folk duo, The Squid Jiggers, in bringing Lewiston-Auburn an entertaining and tasty way to experience the first night of the annual Great Falls Balloon Festival, while raising money for another mill neighbor, Museum L-A.
On Friday night, August 19, a $30 ticket provides: a BBQ feast provided by DaVinci’s; two beers from Baxter (additional beer and wine available); a private tour of the Baxter facilities; free parking; and a concert under the night sky from the Squid Jiggers. A portion of proceeds from the event will benefit Museum L/A, which will also be hosting a benefit raffle during the evening.
Adventure Bound Rafting and ALT to offer raft rides at Balloon Festival
With a shared purpose of introducing Mainers to our natural resources, Adventure Bound Rafting and the Androscoggin Land Trust will offer the opportunity to view the Great Falls Balloon Festival from the Androscoggin River on rafts traditionally meant for whitewater rafting.
Adventure Bound Rafting, Maine‚s premier outdoor adventure, camping and whitewater rafting company, and the Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT), a regional land trust in the Androscoggin River watershed, have partnered to provide this unique opportunity to view hot-air balloon launches during the festival, which runs August 19, 20 and 21.
ALT hosts Youth Fishing Day on the Androscoggin
Continuing efforts to reconnect communities of the Androscoggin River to the recreational potential of this major Maine river, the Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT) and its river and trail planning partner, the National Park Service, were scheduled to host today what might be Downtown Lewiston-Auburn’s first Youth Fishing Day.
Through a year-long effort to assess potential land trail and water access to the Androscoggin River between the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park in Turner and Downtown Lewiston-Auburn, a series of community-based events are being coordinated by ALT to reconnect residents to the Androscoggin and solicit their feedback on the experience.
Paddle After Hours is Thursday night at Festival Plaza
As the 16th Annual Source to Sea Trek, sponsored by the Androscoggin River Watershed Council (ARWC), makes its way to Merrymeeting Bay, it will make a brief layover today, Thursday, August 4, in Downtown Lewiston-Auburn.
In partnership with the Great Falls Paddling Society, the canoe and kayak program of the Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT), two events are being offered to get local residents and visitors out on the Androscoggin River in the heart of Maine’s second-largest urban area.
When the business day comes to an end, ARWC and ALT, in partnership with the Young Professionals of the Lewiston-Auburn Area (YPLAA) invite paddling enthusiasts to meet them behind Festival Plaza in Downtown Auburn at 5:30 p.m. with their boats for the second installment of Paddle After Hours, sponsored by Gritty’s and the Hilton Garden Inn.
Great Falls Balloon Festival planned for Aug. 19-21
The 19th Annual Great Falls Balloon Festival will be held along the banks of the Androscoggin River once again, with balloons launching twice per day from Simard Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., weather permitting.
The festival kicks off Friday morning, August 19 and will run through the early evening of Sunday, August 21. This year’s theme, “Critters in the Clouds,” is a reference to the special-shaped balloons: Hootie the Owl, Annie the Ladybug and Bud E. Beaver.
A full slate of entertainment and activities will take place at both Simard Payne Park and Festival Plaza in Auburn. Local favorites Denny Breau, Terry & The Telstars and The Don Campbell Band will join more than 20 other musicians, local organizations and other entertainers to provide three days worth of enjoyment to crowds expected to exceed 100,000 people.
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