Hey neighbors,

It's a good weekend to be in the Penobscot Valley. We've got farmers markets running from Brewer to Orono to Bangor, live music Friday night, a sunset paddle in Old Town, a children's book signing downtown, a free concert at All Souls on Sunday, and yes — Vanilla Ice is coming to the Cross Insurance Center Saturday night. Something for everyone.

The weather looks best on Friday, so if you can get outside early in the weekend, do it. Saturday is fine with a layer and Sunday morning is worth the effort before the rain moves in.

As always, if something's happening in your corner of the valley that we missed, hit reply or send it to sandy@mainethrive.org. The more you share, the better this gets for everyone.

Enjoy the weekend.

— Sandy

There's a lot happening across the valley this weekend — from the water's edge in Old Town to downtown Dover-Foxcroft to every farmers market in between. Here's what's worth your time.

Sunset Paddle at Hirundo Wildlife Refuge — Friday, May 29 Hirundo Wildlife Refuge in Old Town is hosting a Sunset Paddle Friday evening at 5:00 PM on Pushaw Stream. Canoes, kayaks, paddles, and life jackets are all provided — just show up ready to be on the water. You might spot beavers, herons, eagles, or muskrats as the sun goes down over 2,400 acres of pristine Maine wilderness. Pre-registration required; there is a fee. Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, 1107 West Old Town Road, Old Town. Register at hirundomaine.org or call 207-394-2171.

Live Music with Dylan at Bogeys — Friday, May 29 Friday night plans sorted. Dylan takes the stage at Bogeys on Stillwater Avenue from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Cold drinks, good food, live music, and requests welcome. 471 Stillwater Avenue, Bangor. Free to attend.

Brewer Farmers Market — Saturday, May 30 318 Wilson Street in front of the Brewer Auditorium, 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. About two dozen vendors — fresh produce, baked goods, goat cheese, jams, seedlings, and cut flowers. Free to browse; cash and cards welcome, some vendors take WIC.

Orono Farmers Market — Saturday, May 30 Steam Plant parking lot, 300 College Avenue, Orono. 8:00 AM to noon. Twenty-six vendors, locally grown meats, produce, baked goods, eggs, and cheese. Rain or shine.

Storytime & Book Signing: Lobster Bake and Blueberry Cake — Saturday, May 30 Maine author Karen Richards Toothaker brings her new Maine-centric children's book to The Briar Patch at 27 Central Street in Bangor Saturday at 11:00 AM. Lobster Bake and Blueberry Cake tells the tale of a traditional lobster bake with a twist — bring the kids and join them on the carpet. Free. 11:00 AM to noon.

Summer Theatre Workshop Informational Meeting — Saturday, May 30 Center Theatre is hosting a free informational meeting Saturday at 4:00 PM for their Summer Theatre Workshop. If you've got a kid — or an adult — who's been thinking about getting on stage, this is the place to start. Center Theatre, 20 East Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft. Free. Contact Patrick Myers at info@centertheatre.org.

Bangor Pride's Big Dig Day — Saturday, May 30 The Downtown Bangor Partnership has officially adopted a garden plot at Norumbega Park and Saturday is the day they dig in. Show up on the Central Street side of the park from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Free and open to everyone.

I Love the 90s Tour — Saturday, May 30 Vanilla Ice, Montell Jordan, Tone Loc, Color Me Badd, and Young MC at the Cross Insurance Center, Main Street, Bangor. Saturday night, 7:00 to 10:00 PM. If you know every word to Ice Ice Baby, this is your night. Tickets required.

Sunday brings the best temperatures of the weekend but keep an eye on that afternoon rain. Get your morning in early — the farmers market, the races, and the concert at All Souls are all worth it — and let the afternoon take care of itself.

Bangor Farmers Market — Sunday, May 31 140 Harlow Street across from the Bangor Public Library, 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM. Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, fresh bread, pastries, locally roasted coffee, seasonal vegetables, and farm plants. This is where the valley gathers on a Sunday morning.

Community Clothing Swap at Red Rabbit Bazaar — Sunday, May 31 Bring what you no longer wear and swap it for something you will. Red Rabbit Bazaar runs their Community Clothing Swap Sunday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Hauls go for $2/lb with proceeds supporting Maine Trans Net. Help fold the pile 3:00 to 4:00 PM if you want to stay and dig in.

Harness Racing at Bass Park — Sunday, May 31 Race 11 of the 2026 season at Hollywood Casino Raceway, post time 12:10 PM. Live harness racing at a track that's been running continuously since 1893. 1 Railroad Street, Bangor. Free grandstand admission; wagering available on-site.

Spring Concert at All Souls — Sunday, May 31 All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor. Free Spring Concert at 2:00 PM featuring organists Kay Eames and Anne Small performing Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, works by Mozart, and pieces by Maine-connected composer James Woodman. Open to everyone.

A few more ways to fill the weekend:

• Friday night — Maine horror writers panel at BookSpace, 48 Columbia Street, Bangor. 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Local authors, moderated discussion, free event.
• Friday night — Comedy Night at the Lancaster Room with headliner Andrew Dela Volpe, named a "Comedian on the Rise" by the Boston Globe. 8:00 to 10:00 PM.
• Saturday morning — Bangor's European Market, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Local and worldwide meats, seafood, produce, and artisanal baked goods hosted by Ingrid's German Gift Shop.
• Sunday afternoon — Community Jam at 2 Feet Brewing, 80 Columbia Street, Bangor. Show up with an instrument or just show up. 2:00 to 5:00 PM, no cover.
• The Orono Bog Boardwalk is open daily and free — a great Saturday morning walk before the market.

The ticks are out and so are the black flies — welcome to late May in Maine. If you've been on the trails, through tall grass, or anywhere near a wooded edge this week, a tick check needs to be part of coming back inside. Maine has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the country and Penobscot County is no exception. Check yourself, your kids, and your pets before you come in — behind the ears, under the collar on the dog, behind the knees on the kids. Mosquitoes are right behind the black flies too, so if you're heading out this weekend bring bug spray and wear long sleeves on the trails. Most people skip it until they need it. Don't be most people.

Got something happening in the Valley? Send your event details to sandy@mainethrive.org or submit at mainevalleyvoicesmedia.com/submit-news.

The earlier we hear from you, the better the chance it makes the next edition.

From Woof LLC, Glenburn

Warm weather is here and your dog feels it too. Before you head out this weekend, check the pavement with your hand — if it's too hot to hold your palm on it for five seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Stick to grassy trails and shaded paths when you can, bring water for both of you, and watch for heavy panting, slowing down, or reluctance to keep moving. Those are your dog's way of saying enough. A shorter walk in the cool of the morning beats a long one in the afternoon heat every time.

Woof LLC — dog daycare, boarding, and grooming in Glenburn. 2957 Broadway — 207-331-9663 — woofllc.com

If you need permission to slow down, Sunday's rain may be just what you need. Listen to your body and rest when you can.

This weekend's Penobscot Valley Voice is brought to you by North Star Property Solutions — Bangor's local handyman. From small repairs to home maintenance, North Star gets the job done right. Call 207-745-5304 today.

Thank you for spending some of your time with us this weekend. We hope you find something on this list worth getting out for — or at the very least a good reason to look out the window.

We'll be back Tuesday morning with another full edition of the Penobscot Valley Voice — local stories, community news, business happenings, and everything worth knowing across the valley.

Until then, enjoy the weekend and take care of one another.

— Sandy