AI-generated autumn illustration; not a photograph of a specific local property.

YOUR PENOBSCOT VALLEY WEEKEND STARTS HERE

Homecoming in Orono, costumes in downtown Bangor and a roller rink in Dover-Foxcroft give this weekend plenty of variety. There’s chamber music Sunday afternoon, a family museum fundraiser Saturday evening and fall markets along the way.

We’re adding something readers requested: Friday Trivia. Take a guess near the top, then find the answer at the very end. This week’s question fits a weekend when local history gets an after-dark audience.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday, October 23–Monday, October 26 | Bangor-area forecast

Friday: Sunny. High 50°F; overnight low 25°F.

Saturday: Sunny. High 56°F; overnight low 28°F.

Sunday: Sunny. High 62°F; overnight low 33°F.

Monday: Sunny. High 63°F; overnight low 36°F.

Bright afternoons come with cold starts, especially Friday and Saturday. Bring a warm layer for early markets, tailgating and evening cemetery tours. Conditions differ across the Valley, particularly away from Bangor.

National Weather Service forecast · Forecast retrieved Thursday, October 22.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Orono: UMaine Homecoming runs October 23–25. Saturday’s football game begins at 1 PM, with tailgating opening at 9 AM; men’s hockey starts at 7 PM Friday and Saturday. Allow extra travel time around campus and arrive with your event’s parking instructions.

Downtown Bangor: Trick-or-treating runs Saturday, 2–4 PM. Use the participating-business map to plan your route and watch for families crossing streets. The museum’s separate evening fundraiser starts at 5:30 PM; its ticket is separate from daytime activities.

Cross Insurance Center: Four Hot Wheels performances run Friday–Sunday. The venue lists Lot J parking at $24 per performance. Pre-show parties have separate ticket links; choose the correct show date and time when purchasing.

Live roadwork, incidents and traffic cameras · Downtown Halloween map

AI-generated illustration; not an actual photograph of Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve.

HIDDEN GEM OF THE WEEK

Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve — Bangor

This Bangor Land Trust preserve offers a wooded change of pace from the weekend’s crowds. Its 80.5 acres include wetlands and trails connecting with the old Veazie railroad bed, which leads toward Walden-Parke Preserve and Bangor City Forest.

The trailhead kiosk is on Kittredge Road, roughly half a mile from Stillwater Avenue, on the left before the pavement ends. Parking is along the road shoulder. Maine Trail Finder describes a 1.7-mile network with frequently wet or muddy footing, so wear footwear suited to roots, bog bridges and damp ground.

Leashed pets are permitted; remove waste and stay on marked trails. It’s a useful nearby option when you want a short outdoor outing without committing to a long drive.

Preserve information · Trail map and directions

CAN’T MISS EVENTS

UMaine Homecoming — Orono | October 23–25
The Black Bears host Campbell in football Saturday at 1 PM at Alfond Stadium. Men’s hockey hosts Colgate Friday and Saturday at 7 PM in Alfond Arena. Sunday, women’s soccer hosts Binghamton at noon. Homecoming also includes tours, performances and alumni gatherings; some activities require advance registration or separate tickets.

Homecoming schedule and registration links

Downtown Bangor Trick or Treat | Saturday, October 24, 2–4 PM
Bring the costumes downtown for an afternoon of visits to participating businesses. Downtown Bangor will have participant lists and QR codes for its digital map at Halloween headquarters. This is a daytime family option; use the map to choose your stops.

Participating-business map and details

Halloween at Maine Discovery Museum — Bangor | Saturday, October 24, 5:30–7:30 PM
The museum at 74 Main Street hosts a family fundraiser with crafts, a costume dance party, pizza, snacks and museum exploration. Tickets are $20 per person; members receive 25% off when purchasing through their member account. Costumes are encouraged.

Museum fundraiser tickets

Legacy Mobile Roller Rink Family Fall Festival — Dover-Foxcroft
Friday, October 23, 4–8 PM; Saturday, October 24, 10 AM–6 PM
The organizer identifies the venue as Jim Robinson Field House, 1001 West Main Street. Admission includes rental skates, a skating session limited to 1½ hours, inflatables and other activities. Friday tickets include the glow party. All-access admission is $20 online or $25 at the door; spectator passes are $5. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Organizer and ticket link

Maxwell String Quartet — Orono | Sunday, October 25, 3 PM
Minsky Recital Hall hosts the U.K. quartet for Haydn, Brahms and arrangements of Scottish folk music. Adult admission is $48, including fees; K–12 admission is free with purchase of an adult ticket. Reserve the appropriate seats together.

Concert information and tickets

AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of either event.

TRUNK OR TREAT

Furniture Gallery — Sunday, October 25, noon–3 PM
614 Broadway, Bangor
The Furniture Gallery hosts its third annual Trunk or Treat. Bring the children in costume for an afternoon of treats and family fun.

Furniture Gallery event announcement

Anah Shriners — Sunday, October 25, noon–3 PM
1404 Broadway, Bangor
Anah’s Trunk or Treat offers another Sunday stop for families celebrating Halloween. The noon–3 PM hours were confirmed directly with Anah’s recorder by telephone.

Anah event announcement

QUICK PICKS

Mid Mall Trunk or Treat — Bangor | Friday, 5–7 PM
The third annual gathering on Bangor Mall Boulevard brings decorated trunks, candy, games and costumes. FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, KeyBank, Valley Dental and Lamey Wellehan host this free family event.

Event listing

Darker Mount Hope tours — Bangor | Friday and Saturday evenings
Bangor Historical Society offers timed departures starting at 6 PM from 1048 State Street. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance. The walking route may include hills, stairs and uneven ground; bring sturdy footwear, warm clothing and a flashlight. Reserve an available start time rather than arriving without a ticket.

Tour dates and tickets

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks — Bangor | Friday–Sunday
Cross Insurance Center showtimes are Friday at 6:30 PM, Saturday at 11:30 AM and 6:30 PM, and Sunday at 1:30 PM. Ticket prices vary by seat and performance; the venue links to each show separately.

Show and ticket choices

Autumn Paint and Sip — Brewer | Saturday, 5:30–7 PM
Generations Boutique & Art Studio, 153 State Street, offers a guided 11-by-14-inch autumn lakeside painting for $29.95. The studio describes it as an adult activity, with ages 13 and older at parental discretion. Registration is required.

Class registration

Rocky Horror with a shadow cast — Orono | Saturday, 8 PM
The Collins Center hosts the interactive film event. Adult admission is $18; UMaine students are free. Costumes are encouraged. This is a separate evening choice from the family Halloween activities.

Performance details

Hip-Hop Step Pop-Up — Bangor | Sunday, 1 PM
Sunshine’s Fitness Studio, 930 Stillwater Avenue, welcomes the public for a $20 drop-in class. Membership is not required; reserve ahead because spaces are limited.

Reserve a place

Forestry Innovations Day — Orland | Friday, 9 AM–2 PM
Maine TREE and partners host field sessions and demonstrations at the Wildlands Dead River Trailhead, 24 Don Fish Trail. General admission is $10, including light breakfast refreshments and lunch.

Registration information

Business & Networking
Friday: Bangor Breakfast BNI meets at 7 AM at the Elks Lodge, 108 Odlin Road. Visitors can request an invitation through the chapter’s visitor link. Later, the Bangor Region Chamber’s Women’s Leadership Luncheon features Heather Paquette of Good Shepherd Food Bank in Hollywood Casino Hotel’s Lancaster Room, 500 Main Street. Doors open 11:15 AM, lunch is 11:30 AM and the program runs noon–1 PM. Admission: $30 members, $35 nonmembers.

Luncheon registration

Monday, October 26: The Piscataquis Chamber and PCEDC hold their annual meeting and awards celebration at Central Hall in Dover-Foxcroft, 5–7 PM. Tickets are $35, including dinner; the cash bar is separate. Registration is required; contact the Chamber at 207-564-7533 with questions.

Awards dinner registration

FARMERS’ MARKETS

Bring a market bag for the late-season harvest. These are published seasonal schedules for this weekend:

Friday, October 23: Hampden, 2–5:30 PM, 70 Western Avenue; Holden, noon–4 PM, 723 Main Road.

Saturday, October 24: Brewer, 8:30 AM–1 PM, 318 Wilson Street; Dover Cove, 9 AM–1 PM, 1049 West Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft. Bangor’s European Market is listed by Downtown Bangor for 8:30 AM–12:30 PM at 117 Buck Street.

Sunday, October 25: Bangor, 11 AM–1:30 PM, 140 Harlow Street; Howland, 10 AM–2 PM, 5 Bridge Street.

Monday, October 26: Pittsfield, 2–6 PM, 200 Central Street.

Orono schedule change: Outdoor Saturday markets ended October 17. The market’s published Tuesday schedule continues through October 27, 2–5:30 PM, at the UMaine Steamplant lot.

Regional seasonal schedules · Orono schedule · European Market listing

LOOKING AHEAD

Next week’s BNI meetings: Paul Bunyan BNI lists Tuesday at 7 AM online. Queen City BNI lists Thursday at 8:30 AM at The Sports Arena, 1640 Hammond Street, Hermon. Black Bear BNI lists Thursday at 8:30 AM, with its chapter’s first-week in-person/other-weeks-online format. These fall outside this Friday–Monday window; visitors should request the next meeting invitation directly from the chapter.

Paul Bunyan · Queen City · Black Bear

MANIA: The ABBA Tribute — Orono | Friday, October 30, 8 PM
The Collins Center’s next Friday music offering is an option to put on the calendar before Halloween weekend.

Performance and ticket link

AI-generated illustration of a generic streetscape; not a photograph of Tri City Pizza.

BEST OF THE PENOBSCOT VALLEY

Tri City Pizza — A Longtime Bangor Favorite

Sometimes the best local find is a familiar favorite. Tri City Pizza at 422 Center Street is our restaurant pick this week—a place to keep in mind when pizza sounds like the right answer to dinner.

A Tuesday deal to put on your calendar: A single-topping pizza for $5, starting at 4 PM on Tuesdays. The next Tuesday is October 27, just beyond this weekend’s edition.

Choose your favorite topping and make a simple supper part of next week’s plans.

Tri City Pizza website and ordering
422 Center Street, Bangor
207-942-2943

I’m glad to add Trivia to our Friday edition at readers’ request. A little local history belongs alongside the events and weekend plans, and I hope you enjoy making your guess.

Whether you’re heading to Homecoming, taking the children downtown, visiting a market or choosing a quieter trail, I hope you find something here that makes the weekend easier to plan.

Thank you for reading and for supporting the local businesses that help bring Penobscot Valley Voice to you. Scout and I will see you Tuesday.

— Sandy

SECTION SPONSORS

The Costello Agency — John Costello
Life Insurance, Mortgage Protection & Coverage Reviews
Etna, Maine
207-570-0899

North Star Property Solutions — Tony LaPrino
Property Preparation, Painting, Drywall Repair & Cosmetic Improvements
326 Forest Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401
207-745-5304

Woof, LLC — Peter Richmond
Dog Daycare, Boarding & Grooming
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207-331-9663

Pete Gray Painting — Pete Gray
Residential & Commercial Painting
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207-613-6493

Maine Endurance Sports Alliance— Laura McIntyre
Maine Running Events & Endurance Sports
2337 Union Street, Hermon, ME 04401
207-694-9184

SEE YOU TUESDAY

Our full weekly edition returns Tuesday morning, October 27. Enjoy the weekend—and keep reading for the Trivia answer.