• BENEFITS

TODAY

Additional Photos

A fairgoer models a moose mask at a craft table during a York Days of yore. This year’s York Days and accompanying festivities – Christmas in July and the Lighting of the Nubble – start Saturday and run through Aug. 7. Visit tinyurl.com/yorkdays for a schedule of activities, which include concerts, tournaments and sandcastle building. Associated Press file photo

Former Gov. Angus King, author of “Governor’s Travels: How I Left Politics, Learned to Back Up a Bus, and Found America,” will give a presentation at the Portland Public Library Friday. File photo

Bark in the Park, dogs available for adoption, wading pool, dog treats and games prior to Sea Dogs game; benefits Portland Police Department’s K-9 Unit; Hadlock Field, Portland. $7 for people; $7 for dogs. (Dogs must have tickets.) 346-8606. Pre-game parade for dogs and people led by Slugger, 6:15 p.m. 

FRIDAY

Ocean Park 5K Race, benefits the Ocean Park Association. Jordan Hall, Ocean Park. $17, $20; pre-registration at active.com. 934-9068. 6:15 p.m. kids 1K fun run; 7 p.m. 5K race.

Tractor and Engine Show, activities, food, music and more; benefits the Raitt Homestead Farm Museum; Raitt Homestead Farm, Eliot. $5; free for children under 6. raittfarmmuseum.org. 10 a.m. Friday; 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

SATURDAY

“A Garden Party with Rustic Overtones and Other Flavors,” benefit concert by The Rustic Overtones and other acts; benefits Konbit Sante; 39-47 Old Arrowsic Road, Woolwich. $15 to $20; $5 for children. 837-8503. Noon to 10 p.m.

Giant Annual Book Sale, Dyer Library, Saco. 283-3861. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Aug. 4. Through Aug. 8.

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Bike Rally and Ride, benefits Camp Kieve, L-A Harley Davidson, Lewiston. 784-6332. Pre-ride pancake breakfast at 8 a.m.; ride at 9:30 a.m. 

SUNDAY

Eighth Annual Mackworth Island Car Show and Shine, benefits Foundation for Maine’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, Falmouth. $5; $3 for ages 6 to 15. 871-4904. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Benefit Art Auction, catered dinner and auction; benefits the Center for Maine Contemporary Art; Point Lookout, Northport. $125. 236-2875. Preview at 4:30 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m.; auction at 7 p.m. 

WEDNESDAY

Portland Symphony Orchestra Show House Party and Lobster Bake, benefits the PSO, 149 Western Promenade, Portland. $40. 773-6128, Ext. 311. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Merryspring Kitchen Tour, tour seven unique kitchens and sample cuisine; benefits the Merryspring Nature Center; various locations, Camden. $25, $30. 236-2239. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

AUG. 4

Andrew G. Marsh Memorial Fund Golf Tournament and Dinner, benefits the memorial fund, Dunegrass, Old Orchard Beach. $125; $40 for just dinner and auction. andrewmarshfund.org. Dinner and auction on Aug. 4; golf tournament on Aug. 5. 

• FAIRS/FESTIVALS

TODAY

77th Annual Casco Days, concerts, parade, fireworks and more, Casco Days Park, Route 121. Free. Schedule at cascodays.com. Today to Saturday.

FRIDAY

Bangor State Fair, outdoor concerts, demolition derby, backyard circus, midway rides, food, petting zoo and pony rides, exhibits, fireworks and more, Bangor State Fairgrounds. Schedule at bangorstatefair.com. Friday to Aug. 7.

SATURDAY

Festival of Nations, music, dance, performing arts and food from diverse cultures, Deering Oaks Park, Portland. Free. wini.us/festival.htm. 2 to 8:30 p.m.

First Parish Market Arts and Crafts Fair, First Parish Church, Freeport. Free. firstparishmarket.com. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

35th Annual Blueberry Fair, featuring 40 artisans and crafters from New England, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Kennebunk. Free. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

57th Annual Country Fair, live music, food, book sale, crafts, kids’ activities, raffle and more, St. Giles’ Episcopal Church, Jefferson. 701-9770. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

12th Annual Harborfest, silent auction, barbecue, live music and more, Wells Harbor Community Park. Free. 646-2451. 3 p.m.

York Days and Lighting of the Nubble, concerts, tournaments, sandcastle building and fairs, York. Schedule at tinyurl.com/yorkdays. Saturday to Aug. 7; Christmas in July and the Lighting of the Nubble on Sunday. 

SUNDAY

Christmas in July Craft Fair, local crafts, raffles and homemade goods, Saco Grange. 499-7376. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bacon Street Festival, music, exotic animal exhibit, pony rides by Mustang Rescue, games, food, bouncy houses, costumed characters and more, Bacon Street, Biddeford. 284-9105. 1 to 6 p.m. 

MONDAY

Schoodic Arts Festival, performances and workshops celebrating arts and culture in Down East Maine, various locations, Winter Harbor. Schedule at schoodicartsforall.org. Monday to Aug. 14. 

WEDNESDAY

Maine Lobster Festival, live entertainment, races, parade, crafts, Maine Sea Goddess pageant and lots of lobster, Harbor Park, Rockland. mainelobsterfestival.com. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 4. Through Aug. 7. 

• SPECIAL EVENTS

TODAY

Living History Tours, actors portray local citizens from the 1800s, Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, Livermore. $10; $25 for family. 897-4366. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Tuesday and Aug. 4.

Historic Foodways, workshop, lunch, reception and illustrated lecture, Narramissic Historic Farm, Bridgton. $12 to $35. 647-3699. 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Slide Talk, Alex Sanger talks about his grandmother’s air travels over Africa, Europe and the Middle East in the 1930s, Rockland Public Library. 594-0310. 6:30 p.m.

PORTopera President’s Dinner, meet artistic and stage director Dona D. Vaughn and conductor Stephen Lord from “The Daughter of the Regiment,” Harbour’s Edge Banquet Facility, Portland. $100. 879-7678. Cocktail hour at 5 p.m.; dinner at 5:45 p.m. 

FRIDAY

Wood Island Lighthouse Tours, guided tours, Wood Island Lighthouse, Biddeford. $10; reservations required. 286-3229. 10 and 11 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Wednesday. 

SATURDAY

Lighthouse Tours, one of only 40 caisson-style lighthouses in the U.S. and the only one open to visitors; must be more than 55 inches tall; canceled in case of rain or fog; Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, South Portland. $5; free for children under 14. 699-2676. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

17th Century Encampment, outdoor interpretive weekend showcasing civilian military aspects of 17th-century life, Colonial Pemaquid Historic Site, New Harbor. 677-2423. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Maine State Button Society Show and Sale, First Baptist Church, Springvale. 324-6618. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

National Dance Day Celebration and Flash Mob Dance, learn a simple dance routine, Camden Public Library. Free. 236-3440. 10 a.m. Community Weekend at the Pool in Yates Street Park, music by The Wet Suits, kids’ games and bonfire, Biddeford Pool. 284-9164. 4 p.m. (Rain date Sunday.)

First Annual Brunswick Blueberry Pie Contest, pie and ice cream available after judging for $3 and $4, Brunswick Station Visitor Center. 721-0999. 4 p.m.

Lamb to Loom Crafts Demonstration, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, New Gloucester. Free. 926-4597. 10 a.m.

Second Annual Saco Spirit Car Show, raffles, downtown merchant specials, music and food, Main Street, Saco. Free. 286-3546. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Music Connects: A Holistic Networking Event,” food, wine and music, The Maine Grind, Ellsworth. $10. 667-1308. 4 to 6 p.m. 

MONDAY

Solar Show: “Eight Planets and Counting,” soar through a Martian canyon and Titan’s clouds, and discover the wonders of our solar system, University of Southern Maine (Southworth Planetarium), Portland. $4, $6. 780-4249. 1 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. 

TUESDAY

Solar Show: “Black Holes,” University of Southern Maine (Southworth Planetarium), Portland. $4, $6. 780-4249. 1 p.m. Tuesday and Aug. 4. 

WEDNESDAY

“Alive for $5,” one-hour family program with Birdie Googins, aka The Marden’s Lady, Stonington Opera House. $5. 367-2788. 7 p.m.

Maine-ly Harmony Women’s Chorus A Cappella Singing Classes, girls and women of all ages are welcome to learn the barbershop style of four-part harmony, Kennebec Valley YMCA, Augusta. Free. 582-5523. 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Lively Lunches at Johnson Hall Mini-Park, Brent and Maya McCoy “Secret Circus” comedy, circus and physical theater, Johnson Hall, Gardiner. Free. 582-7144. Noon to 1 p.m.

Demo and Concert, by Native American flutemaker Hawk Henries, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay. Free with garden admission. 633-4333. Demo, 10 a.m. to noon; concert, 1 p.m.

Open House, tour Maine’s only African-American National Underground Railroad Historic Site with Christopher L. Webber, author of “American to the Backbone,” Abyssinian Meeting House, Portland. abyme.org. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Crafts at the Clambake, juried show, Clambake Restaurant, Scarborough. 883-1031. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Honeymooning on Kilimanjaro,” slide presentation and talk by Jeff Burgess, Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, Portland. moac.org. 7 p.m.

AUG. 4

Architecture Tours, 90-minute tours of historic house, Tate House Museum, Portland. $6, $8; $3 for children. 774-6177. 10 and 11:30 a.m.; 1 and 2:30 p.m.

• FILMS

TODAY

“The Olmsted Legacy” (2010), documentary on America’s parks, Stonington Opera House. 367-2788. 7 p.m.

FRIDAY

“Away From Her” (2006), film and discussion about Alzheimer’s sponsored by Beacon Hospice and Hospice of York, York Public Library. Free. 363-2818. 7 p.m.

SUNDAY

“True Grit” (2010), Western, York Public Library. Free. 363-2818. 7 p.m.

Rooftop Film Series: “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” (1985), comedy; bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks; Free Street parking garage, Portland (enter at 45 Spring St.). Free. menskmaine.org. 9 p.m. (sunset).

MONDAY

“Innocent Interlude: Scenes of Life in Portland, Maine, 1940-41,” documentary narrated by historian Joel Eastman, Maine Historical Society, Portland. $7, $8; $2 for ages 6 to 17. 774-1822. Noon Monday to Aug. 4.

TUESDAY

“Steam of Life” (2010), documentary about saunas, Portland Public Library, Rines Auditorium. Free. 871-1700. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“Helena From the Wedding” (2010), drama, Patten Free Library, Bath. Free. 443-5141. 6:30 p.m. 

WEDNESDAY

“Art Videos at the Gallery,” Barn Gallery, Ogunquit. Free. 646-7055. “Seurat: The Impressionists” (2003), 7:30 p.m. 

• BOOKS/AUTHORS

TODAY

Katrina Kenison, author of “Gift of an Ordinary Day,” Kennebooks, Kennebunk. Free; RSVP suggested. kennebooks.com. 6:30 p.m.

Eric Normand, author of “The Nashville Musician’s Survival Guide,” book signing and workshop, Buckdancer’s Choice, Portland. 774-2219. 6 to 8 p.m.| Virginia Wright, author of “The Wild Blueberry Book,” Maine Coast Book Shop and Cafe, Damariscotta. 563-3207. 5 p.m. 

FRIDAY

Sandra Garson, author of “How to Fix a Leek,” Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. 725-5242. 2 to 4 p.m.

Lea Wait, author of “Shadows of a Down East Summer,” Maine Coast Book Shop and Cafe, Damariscotta. 563-3207. 5 p.m.

Angus King, former Maine governor and author of “Governor’s Travels: How I Left Politics, Learned to Back Up a Bus, and Found America,” presentation and reception, Portland Public Library, Rines Auditorium. Free; RSVP required. 871-1700, Ext. 723. 6:30 p.m. 

SATURDAY

Chris Van Dusen, author of “King Hugo’s Huge Ego,” Owl & Turtle Bookstore, Camden. Free. owlandturtle.com. 10 a.m.

Michele Albion, author of “Quotable Edison,” Lithgow Public Library, Augusta. 626-2415. 10 a.m.

Brenda Berry and David Middleton, authors of “The Lobstering Life,” Maine Coast Book Shop and Cafe, Damariscotta. 563-3207. 11 a.m.

Jeff Foltz, author of “Birkebeiner: A Story of Motherhood and War,” Sherman’s Books and Stationery, Freeport. (800) 371-8128. 1 to 4 p.m.

Stacie Kerschner, author of the children’s book “Remember Love,” Barnes and Noble, Augusta. 621-0038. 1 to 3 p.m. 

MONDAY

Lammas Celestial Poetry Reading, local writers recite works of prose and poetry in the star dome theatre, University of Southern Maine (Southworth Planetarium), Portland. Donation. 780-4249. 7 p.m.

TUESDAY

Michael Daicy and Don Whitney, authors of “Portland’s Greatest Conflagration: The 1866 Fire Disaster,” Maine Historical Society, Portland. Free. 774-1822. Noon.

Mystery Writers Vicki Doudera and Ann Blair Kloman, Jackson Memorial Library, Tenants Harbor. 372-8961. 5:30 p.m.

Lindy Hough, author of “Wild Horses, Wild Dreams: New and Selected Poems, 1971-2010,” Southwest Harbor Public Library. 244-7065. 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Brown Bag Lecture, William D. Andrews, author of “Breaking Ground,” Portland Public Library. Free; bring your lunch. 871-1710. Noon to 1 p.m.

Hive Faculty Reading, nine nationally renowned poets and fiction writers read from their work, Empire Dine and Dance, Portland. 774-6064. 7 p.m.

James Witherell, author of “L. L. Bean; The Man and His Company,” Bull Moose Music, Scarborough. 885-9553. 6 p.m.

Janis Bolster, author of “The Lost Daughters,” Bridgton Public Library. 647-2472. 12:30 p.m.

• FOOD/DRINK

“Craft Beer Comes to Boothbay,” taste beers from more than 20 Maine breweries and eat barbecue, Boothbay Resort. $50; $25 for designated drivers. boothbayresort.com. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pancake Breakfast, pancakes, eggs, ham, baked beans, watermelon, coffee, tea and juice, Fifth Maine Regiment Museum, Peaks Island. $4 to $7. 766-3330. 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday.

Taste of Rangeley, appetizers catered by local restaurateurs with raffles, Country Club Inn, Rangeley. $10. 864-2963. 4:15 p.m. Tuesday.

• PRO SPORTS

Portland Sea Dogs, Minor League baseball, Hadlock Field, Portland. $7, $9. portlandseadogs.com. Vs. Altoona, 7 p.m. today and Friday; 6 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday.

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