Augusta Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015
(Augusta, Maine - ME, USA)
During the course of the year, a number of very notable festivals are staged here in Augusta, the capital of the state of Maine. However, with such harsh winter weather, the majority of the principal events tend to take place during the warmer summer months.
Many of the main festivities, celebrations and things to do in the city are held at the multi-purpose arena best known as the Augusta Civic Center, which is situated on Community Drive, next to Interstate I-95 (exit 112A) and the University of Maine campus.
The city's Civic Center is a sizeable entertainment venue capable of seating audiences of roughly 6,800 people. It hosts everything from concerts and exhibitions, to themed conventions, basketball tournaments and other sporting events.
If you are here towards the end of June, then do look out for the plethora of activities laid on during the annual Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce's Whatever Family Festival. These events are staged not only in Augusta, but also around the nearby small towns of Gardiner, Hallowell and Winthrop.
Augusta Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015
If you are here in the summer and looking for something to occupy your time, you may like to consider one of the following:
January
- KV Chamber Awards Banquet - mid-January, in the main auditorium of the Augusta Civic Center, honoring local businesses and members of the community.
May
- Annual Book Sale - mid-May, a fundraising event held at the Lithgow Public Library.
- Play - throughout April, bringing around 70 artists from Maine to the Harlow Gallery, in the suburb of Hallowell.
- Annual 10-Mile Yard Sale - mid-May, locals based along West Ridge Road sell everything from furniture, toys, DVDs and books, to clothes, tools, plants, paintings and more from their own front yards or garages.
June
- Riverfront Festival Talent Show - mid-June, hosted by the Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center in nearby Gardiner, roughly ten minutes to the south of downtown Augusta.
- Great Kennebec River Whatever Family Festival / Kids Day in Capitol Park - mid-June to early July, first held in 1978 to celebrate the cleaning up of the Kennebec River. Many activities take place in Capitol Park, ranging from live music and dancing, to food stalls, races, a waterfront carnival and fireworks on July 4th.
- Greater Gardiner River Festival - mid-June, at a number of venues around neighboring Gardiner, including the waterfront Kavanaugh Carnival, fireworks, market stalls, demonstrations, live entertainment and food vendors galore.
- Mid-Maine Chamber Golf Classic - mid-June, at the Natanis Golf Course on Webber Pond Road, Vassalboro, just over 15 minutes to the north of Augusta city center.
- Blistered Fingers Family Bluegrass Festival - late June, one event for jazz lovers everywhere, taking place at the Litchfield Fairgrounds, situated just over 30 minutes to the south of Augusta.
July
- Liberty Festival - July 4th, featuring a superb fireworks display next to the Androscoggin River, at the twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn.
- Friends on the 4th 5K - July 4th, a 3-mile / 5-km race taking in the scenic views along the shoreline of Maranacook Lake, starting on Bowdoin Street in Winthrop, approximately 20 minutes to the west.
- KLI Golf Tournament - mid-July, first held in the early 1990s and now a major annual event and crowd pleaser, at the Augusta Country Club on Western Avenue, Manchester.
- Annual Maine Quilt Show - late July, dating back to the late 1970s and held at the Augusta Civic Center, starting with a champagne reception and including workshops, lectures, appraisals, traders and a dinner, complete with auction.
August
- Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Show - mid-August, first held in 2002 and based at Rockland Harbor, roughly an hour to the east of Augusta, close to the Owls Head State Park. This event includes countless activities for children and lots of live music, along with the Championship Boatyard Dog Trials and the chance to purchase all manner of marine gear.
September
- Annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day - mid-September, lighthouses throughout Maine open to the public and offer the chance to enjoy some superb coastal views from the lantern rooms at the very top. This event is designed to promote awareness of the state's rich maritime heritage and is organized by the American Lighthouse Foundation, the United States Coast Guard service and also the state of Maine.
November and December
- Freeport Sparkle Weekend - late November / early December, at Freeport Village (around 40 minutes to the south) and including the 'Parade of Lights' along Main Street, as well as story reading, Yuletide carols, horse and wagon rides, handicraft stalls and a friendly Santa.
The main venues hosting seasonal events, festivals and gatherings around Augusta include:
- Belgrade Community Center - 1 Center Drive, Belgrade, Maine (ME), 04917, USA
- Charles M. Bailey Pub Library - 39 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop, Maine (ME), 04364, USA
- Children's Discovery Museum - 171 Capitol Street, Augusta, Maine (ME), 04330, USA
- Colby College - Mayflower Hill, Waterville, Maine (ME), 04901, USA
- Colby Museum of Art - 5600 Mayflower Hill Drive, Waterville, Maine (ME), 04901, USA
- Franco American Heritage Center - 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston, Maine (ME), 04240, USA
- Harlow Gallery - 160 Water Street, Hallowell, Maine (ME), 04347, USA
- Jewett Auditorium - University of Maine at Augusta (UMA), 46 University Drive, Augusta, Maine (ME), 04330, USA
- Lewiston / Auburn's Professional Theater - 31 Maple Street, Lewiston, Maine (ME), 04240, USA
- Litchfield Fairgrounds - 44 Plains Road, Litchfield, Maine (ME), 04330, USA
- Lithgow Library - 45 Winthrop Street, Augusta, Maine (ME), 04330, USA
- Maine State Museum - 230 State Street, Augusta, Maine (ME), 04333, USA
- SpinOff Studio - 184 Water Street, Hallowell, Maine (ME), 04347, USA
- Swan Island Landing - Richmond, Maine (ME), 04357, USA
- Warming Center - 44 Front Street, Augusta, Maine (ME), 04330, USA
- Theater at Monmouth - 769 Main Street, Monmouth, Maine (ME), 04259, USA
- Viles Arboretum - 153 Hospital Street, Augusta, Maine (ME), 04330, USA