There’s a lot happening around the Valley this weekend, but one thing really caught my attention. Students in Dover-Foxcroft are putting on Junior High, a musical written, directed, performed, and produced by young people from the area. Add opera in Orono, rockets in Bangor, and plenty of good reasons to get outside, and we’ve got a pretty interesting three days ahead. Here are a few things worth knowing about before you make your weekend plans.

Friday: Sunny and a great day to be outside, with a high near 81°.

Saturday: Partly sunny, high near 76°, with a chance of showers developing late in the afternoon.

Sunday: The wetter day. Showers are likely, with a possible thunderstorm and a high near 74°. If you’ve got outdoor plans, Friday is clearly the pick this weekend.

Source: National Weather Service, Caribou — Bangor forecast.

Junior High — Dover-Foxcroft

Here’s the one that gets my vote this weekend. Junior High is a brand-new musical written and directed by Dover-Foxcroft student Aurora Youngblood, with the entire cast and production team between the ages of 8 and 18. See it at the Center Theatre, 20 E. Main Street, Friday at 7 PM, Saturday at 4 PM, or Sunday at 4 PM. Tickets are $10, and ages 18 and under are free.

Opera Acadia Presents La Traviata — Orono

If opera is more your speed, Opera Acadia brings Verdi’s La Traviata to the Collins Center for the Arts, 2 Flagstaff Road, Friday and Saturday at 7 PM. It’s a fully staged production with orchestra and chorus, and tickets range from $22–$57.

Blast Off Bash — Bangor

This one should be a lot of fun for families. Challenger Learning Center of Maine is bringing model rocket building and launching to the Cole Land Transportation Museum, 405 Perry Road, Saturday with launch windows from 9–10:30 AM and 10:30 AM–Noon. Tickets are $15 per rocket participant, walk-ups are welcome, and each rocket ticket also includes admission to the Cole Museum that day.

Hirundo Wildlife Refuge — Old Town
If Friday’s sunshine has you looking for somewhere to walk, Hirundo has more than seven miles of trails and is open dawn to dusk, free of charge. Gates 1 and 2 are at 1107 West Old Town Road.

Mount Hope Cemetery Walking Tour — Bangor
Saturday’s guided tour runs 6:00–7:30 PM from the Superintendent’s Lodge at 1048 State Street. Tickets are $12 and must be purchased in advance; the tour is capped at 25 people.

Bass Park After Dark — Bangor
Saturday from 4:00–9:00 PM brings live music, vendors and food trucks to Bass Park. Admission is free, and the event can move indoors if the weather turns.

Orono Bog Boardwalk — Bangor/Orono
A good choice if you want an easy walk without making a day of it. The 4,200-foot boardwalk is open 7:00 AM–6:30 PM through August, admission is free, and the boardwalk and East Trail are wheelchair accessible.

Fort Knox & Penobscot Narrows Observatory — Prospect
If you’re up for a little drive, make it a history-and-view day. The Observatory is open 9:00 AM–6:00 PM through August, with Fort Knox next door giving you plenty more to explore.

Friday — August 21

Town of Lincoln Farmers’ Market — Lincoln
10 AM–2 PM | 29 Main Street

Hampden Farmers’ Market — Hampden
2–5:30 PM | Western Avenue

Newport Community Market — Newport
Friday, 4:00–7:30 PM | 409 Moosehead Trail
Runs Friday evenings June through August, featuring local growers, makers and artisans

Saturday — August 22

Orono Farmers’ Market — Orono
8 AM–Noon | UMaine Steam Plant lot, College Avenue

Brewer Farmers’ Market — Brewer
8:30 AM–1 PM | 318 Wilson Street

Newport Farmers Market — Newport
9 AM–1 PM | Downtown Deco District

Dover Cove Farmers’ Market — Dover-Foxcroft
9 AM–1 PM | 1049 West Main Street

Orrington Farmers’ Market — Orrington
10 AM–4 PM | 191 River Road

Sunday — August 23

Bangor Farmers’ Market — Bangor
11 AM–1:30 PM | Abbot Square, across from Bangor Public Library

Howland Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market — Howland
10 AM–2 PM | 5 Bridge Street

“I’d Love to Go Out of Business” — Suzan Prendergast, Bangor Humane Society

Suzan Prendergast has one of those jobs where success would mean someday not being needed at all. In Episode 10 of Maine Thrive Voices, she talks about the work behind Bangor Humane Society, the animals and people they serve, and why helping pets find the right homes matters so much. It’s a thoughtful conversation with someone who sees both the hard parts and the good ones every day.

Listen to Episode 10 on Spotify

Property & Home Services Tip — Tony LaPrino, North Star Property Solutions

If you’re thinking about selling, renting, or refreshing a property this fall, start with the areas people notice first — the entry, main living space, walls, trim, and doors. A few well-chosen cosmetic improvements can make a property feel cared for without turning it into a major renovation. 207 745-5304

Movement Tip — Loosen Up Before You Get Busy

Before yard work, a long walk, or a day of running errands, give yourself a few minutes to loosen up first. A little easy movement before you start can help your body feel better once you’re underway.

Help Us Grow Penobscot Valley Voice

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Weekend Sponsor — Marshall Communications

Marshall Communications helps businesses and organizations build credibility, strengthen relationships, and get their stories in front of the right people through strategic public relations and media relations.

Learn more: marshallpr.com

One thing I like about this weekend’s edition is the range of it. Young people are putting on their own musical in Dover-Foxcroft, there’s opera in Orono, rockets in Bangor, and plenty of places to get outside while the weather cooperates. Pick one thing you wouldn’t normally do and give it a try. Scout & I see you Tuesday morning.

-Sandy