– AUGUSTA

Sept. 14 Bug-Maine-ia at museum

The Maine State Museum will host Bug-Maine-ia, its annual day of fun and discovery about the tiny world of insects, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The museum will be abuzz with entomologists, environmental educators, forensic scientists, foresters, anglers, artists and other bug enthusiasts who will present hands-on activities and explain the effects of insects on our lives. Admission to the museum will be free of charge all day. The Maine State Museum is next to the State House at 230 State St. 

For details, call 287-2301 or visit mainestatemuseum.org.

BETHEL

Sept. 16 and 17 Harvestfest and chowder

Spuds and chowder will take center stage at the 14th Annual Bethel Harvestfest & Chowdah Cookoff on the ommon.

The event kicks off 7:30 — 10:30 p.m. Friday with a party, drink specials, and giveaways compliments at Rooster’s Roadhouse,

The main event Saturday, in addition to the food, will include a harvest of western Maine musicians led by local favorite Jewel Clark, free horse-drawn wagon rides, a chainsaw carving demonstration, dozens of local artists and craftspeople selling their wares, sponsor exhibits, and more.

Other activities over the weekend, including the Upper Andro Anglers Alliance Driftboat Competition Friday and Two-Fly Contest Saturday.

A complete schedule of events is available at bethelharvestfest.com.

RANGELEY

Sept. 18 Saddleback Fall Festival

The seventh annual Saddleback Fall Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features an art show and sale, music, craft booths, barbecue on the deck, a pie eating contest, pumpkins for the children and other activities.

The event is free.

For details call (866) 918-2225 or visit rangeleymaine.com.

CASCO

Sept. 24 Cheers in the Lakes Region

The Eighth Annual Maine Lakes Brew Festival will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring over 20 brewers under tents on Sebago Lake.

The festival takes place at Point Sebago Resort, off Route 302. Cost is $25 for tickets bought by Sept. 23 or $30 for tickets bought at the gate. The cost includes a souvenir glass, 10 sample coupons and a voting coupon. A non-drinker ticket can be bought for $5.

There will be live music and entertainment. Food vendors will also be serving. To purchase tickets online (except for non-drinker tickets) visiy Mainelakesbrewfest.com or call the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce at 647-3472.

DAMARISCOTTA

Oct. 2-10 Ten-day Pumpkinfest

A 10-day celebration of everything that has to do with pumpkins, Pumpkinfest and Regatta include the pumpkin paddle boat relay, pumpkin motor boat regatta, the giant pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin catapulting, pumpkin’ chunkin,’ pumpkin decorating, children’s activities, pumpkin cooking contests, pie eating contests and a 200-foot pumpkin drop.

For more information visit damariscottapumpkinfest.com. Most events are free except for the pancake breakfast (adults $6, children $3), some children’s games and musical performances.

STONINGTON

Oct. 5 Local talent on loan

Opera House Arts at the Stonington Opera House is hosting at 7 p.m. a display of local talent known as Pecha Kucha.

This Down East version features local entrepreneurs, farmers, designers, artists, fishermen, architects, photographers, musicians and other folks who have the opportunity to present 20 slides of their work for 20 seconds each. The name comes from the Japanese term for “chit chat.”

Admission is $5. For details call 367-2788 or go to operahousearts.org.

AUGUSTA

Oct. 7-9 Snowmobile show

The weather is still warm but the snow and snowmobiling will be here soon and the new 2012 models are on display this weekend.

The August Civic Center will be hosting the 15th annual Maine Snowmobile Association show 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. There will be a used sled corral and at a trails workshop.

The cost is $6 for adults and free for children. For details visitmesnow.com or call 622-6983.

NEWRY

Oct. 8 Wife-carrying contest

The always popular North American Wife Carrying Championship begins at 11 a.m. at the Sunday River Ski Resort.

For the event, Sunday River will build a regulation size 278-yard obstacle course. Features within the course will include log hurdles, sand traps, and the always popular “widow maker” water hazard.

Only the first 50 teams who register ay sundaryriver.com are allowed to enter, but thousands come to watch.

The visitors will be able to enjoy the Blue Mountain Arts and Crafts Festival, which continues through Oct. 9, and includes food, fun, events and music.

WATERFORD

Oct. 9 Chili cook-off and run

The Great Western Maine Chili Cook-off and festival to benefit the Tony Waldeier Scholarship fund opens at 11:30 a.m. with the 1K kids fun run, followed by the Great Waterford Fall Foliage 5K road race at noon.

The cook-off will take place on the green in Waterford at noon. To enter email fallrunners@watefordfall5k.com and to enter the chili cook-off contact the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce at 647-3472 or visit mainelakeschamber.com.

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

Oct.16 Woofstock at the Ballpark

There will be a pet-loving festival at the Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. featuring everything there is to know and love about being a pet owner.

The event includes a dog contest, discounted rabies clinic, food vendors, pet supply vendors, animal rescue groups and other events. Prices vary.

For details visit OOB365.com

OGUNQUIT

Oct. 21-23 Ogunuitfest weekend

The eighth annual Ogunquitfest opens Friday and runs all weekend with craft and food booths, a scarecrow contest, marketplace, ghost stories, bridge to beach race, pumpkin decorating and other events.

Admission varies depending on the event. For more information visit:www.ogunquit.org or call Frances Reed at 646-2939.

BUCKSPORT

Oct. 22 Ghostport metamorphosis

The entire town of Bucksport will be transformed into “Ghostport” for the annual celebration of the coastal town with a spooky past.

Events will include a fireworks display, pumpkins being catapulted into the river, a little goblins parade down Main Street, tours of a spooky cemetery and other “haunted places” as well as various events.

Racing coffins will take part in the Jonathan Buck’s Race to the Grave. Buck is the town’s most famous ghost featuring a scary tombstone legend. Most events are free. The rain date is Oct. 29. For details ghostportme.com or call 469-6060

WELLS

Nov. 5-6 League of Maine craft show

The 27th Annual League of Maine Craft Show is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at Wells Junior High School on Route 1. There will be more than 60 crafters with their creations along with musical entertainment and gourmet food. There is free parking and admission. For details visit wellschamber.org or call 646-5172.

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