The Chamber Music Festival is a ten-week series of public concerts presented by a world-renowned faculty and guest artists Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. in the historic Franz Kneisel Concert Hall. See website for full schedule. Information; www.kneisel.org

Machias Wild Blueberry Festival
Downtown Machias, ME
Phone: 207-255-6665

August 14 – 16, 2009

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Did you know that Washington County, Maine, produces 85 percent of the world's blueberries? The 34th Annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival celebrates the area's top crop. The event features a children's parade, a fish fry, music, a blueberry pancake breakfast, over 250 craft boots, live music, a blueberry pie eating contest and more. Information: www.machiasblueberry.com/

Native American Festival and Basketmakers Market
College of the Atlantic, 105 Eden Street
Bar Harbor, ME
Phone: 207-288-3519

July 11, 2009

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This popular event draws a wide variety of visitors ranging from professional basket collectors to vacationers to local residents. The festival is considered Maine's largest annual gathering of Native American artists. Meet the artists while learning about and purchasing Wabanaki baskets, carvings, beadwork, dolls and other of handmade items. The day-long event includes Native music, dance, storytelling, craft demonstrations and food. A silent auction is open to bidding all day; winners are announced at 3 p.m. Time: 10 a.m. with early-bird shopping from 9 to 10 a.m. Cost: Free. Information: www.abbemuseum.org

AROOSTOOK top of listings

Houlton Fair
Houlton Fairgrounds, off Randall Avenue
Houlton, ME

July 2-5, 2009

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Midway by Smokey's Greater Shows, live music By Josh Gracin, horse show, Frisbee dogs, ice cream eating contest, pig scramble, egg toss, kids karaoke, ATV drag racing, Elvis Extravaganza, marionettes, pie eating and Moxie chugging contests, fireworks. Information: www.houltonfair.com/

Northern Maine Fair
Northern Maine Fairgrounds, 84 Mechanic Street
Presque Isle, ME

July 31-August 8, 2009

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Fair features a music festival with a different genre of music (country, rock, jazz, traditional, fiddle, gospel, bluegrass, classical and karaoke) performed each night. Also, livestock and 4-H exhibits, petting zoo, Historical Pavilion, antique tractors, Agricultural Heritage Building, and more. Information: www.northernmainefairgrounds.com/

Potato Blossom Festival
Downtown
Fort Fairfield, ME
Phone: 207-472-3800

July 11-19, 2009

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Fort Fairfield hosts the annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival when the potato blossoms are in full bloom. This nine-day festival features farmer olympics, road races, arts and crafts, fireworks, river races, mashed potato wrestling, and much more. It’s fun for the entire family. Information: www.potatoblossom.org

AUGUSTA/KENNEBEC top of listings

Great Kennebec Whatever Family Festival
Capitol Park, Capitol and State streets
Augusta, ME
Phone: 207-623-4559

June 19-July 4, 2009

Begun in 1978, the Whatever Family Festival commemorates the cleanup of the Kennebec River and celebrates the people and environment of the river communities. Nearly all activities are free of charge, including a Saturday night concert. More than 85 events and activities take place in the Capitol Park on June 27. They include musical presentations, dancing, balloons, hands-on activities, and much more. Information: www.augustamaine.com/chamber_whatever.asp

Greater Gardiner River Festival
Throughout town
Gardiner, ME
Phone: 207-582-3312

June 20, 2009

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Festival Events, listed by location:
Johnson Hall Mini Park: Children's Art in the Park, Marcus Gale -So Glad!, Charles Dupuis, The Great Bamboozler, The Celtic Cowboys live music
Water Street: United Martial Arts karate demonstration, Maine artisans, specialty food vendors
Waterfront: 5K road race, kayak rides, Coast Guard vessel tours, Johnson Hall Talent Show, fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Around the Common: Pancake breakfast, trucks on the common demonstration for children, children's games, barbecue

Maine Egg Festival
Manson Park
Pittsfield, ME
Phone: 207-341-1597

July 20 - July 25, 2009

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The Central Maine Egg Festival has traditionally been a celebration of the brown egg industry and is the event of the year in Pittsfield. You won’t want to miss the egg breakfast cooked in a 300-pound frying pan, entertainment, a parade, fireworks, the Egglympics, a Window Painting Contest; an Art Exhibit and many other egg-citing surprises. Information; 207) 487-3520

GREATER PORTLAND & CASCO BAY top of listings

Radiance Arts & Culture Fest
Lincoln Park, 356 Congress Street.
Portland, ME
Phone: 207-233-0742

July 4, 2009

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The Radiance Arts & Culture Fest is a block party-style convergence celebrating summer, independence, and sustainability. The festival will offer an exciting blend of music & dance, hand-made artistry and crafted goods with a focus on the Portland arts and music community. Locally produced art & retail goods to be raffled throughout the day. Time: 2 p.m. to sunset. Cost: Free.

Yarmouth Clam Festival
Main Street
Yarmouth, ME
Phone: 207-846-3984

July 17 – 19, 2009

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Experience the flavor of Yarmouth’s community and history. Aside from the mouthwatering Maine shellfish and other delicious food, this festival feature arts and crafts booths, competitions, entertainment, live music and more. Cost: Free. Information: www.clamfestival.com/home.php

MAINE HIGHLANDS top of listings

Bangor State Fair
100 Dutton Street
Bangor, ME
Phone: 207-947-5555

July 31-August 9, 2009

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Featured attractions at the fair include Disc-Connected K9's, Tigers of India. Backyard Circus, Americna Strongman, Arm Wresting Classic, the Nerveless Nocks Thrill Show, Freestyle MX motocross, freestyle snowmobile show, and The Radio Gang with Mac McHale. Admission: $10 per person, includes all rides and shows; parking, $5. Information: http://www.bangorstatefair.com/

East Millinocket Summerfest
Opal Myrick Park
East Millinocket, ME
Phone: 207-746-9673

July 9-12, 2009

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Events include public breakfast, yard sale, chicken barbecue supper, live music, trolley rides, bingo, country and Western dance, golf tournament, childrne’s games, greased pig contest, historic slide show, clogging dance performance, comedy, parade with a Hawaiian theme, hot dog and watermelon eating contests, Hawaiian Luau, street dance, and more. Information: www.eastmillinocket.org

MID COAST top of listings

Arts in the Park
Heritage Park, Main Street
Belfast, ME
Phone: 207-338-5900

July 11-12, 2009

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Experience one of Mid-coast Maine's most popular arts and crafts festivals with 80 fine artists representing a vast variety of arts and crafts. It all takes place at Heritage Park, downtown on Belfast's waterfront, with the harbor and Penobscot Bay as a backdrop. Continuous live music and a variety of delicious food will add to the festive atmosphere. Admission is free. Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cost: Free. Information: www.friendsofbelfastparks.org.

Bowdoin International Music Festival
Bowdoin College, College Station
Brunswick, ME
Phone: 207-725-3000

July 1-August 7, 2009

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Visit beautiful, historic Bowdoin College and experience renowned artists and young virtuosos from 30 countries performing great music of the past and present. Presenting classical and contemporary chamber music each summer since 1965 in more than 80 concerts, many free of charge, plus open masterclasses and much more.Information: www.bowdoinfestival.org

Maine Lobster Fest
1 Harbor Park
Rockland, ME
Phone: 800-LOB-CLAW

July 29-August 2, 2009

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Hundreds of pounds of lobster, parade, sea goddess, top-notch entertainment, an international crate race, fine art, crafts people and vendors, US Navy ship tours, all you can eat pancakes, US Coast Guard Station tours, professional and amateur cooking contests, marine heritage, road races, kids events, over 20,000 pounds of lobster, free shuttle service. Information: www.mainelobsterfestival.com/index.php

Maine Lobster Festival
Harbor Park, Park Drive
Rockland, ME 04841
Phone: 1-800-LOB-CLAW

July 29 – August 2, 2009

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What do you get when you mix nine tents, the world’s greatest lobster cooker, a sea goddess, a big parade, top notch entertainment, an international crate race, fine art, talented crafts people and vendors, US Navy ship tours, all you can eat pancakes, free shuttle service, US Coast Guard Station tours, professional and amateur cooking contests, marine heritage, road races, kids events, over 20,000 pounds of lobster, PLUS over 1,000 volunteers and a group of dedicated directors? The Maine Lobster Festival. Cost: $2 - $7. Information: www.mainelobsterfestival.com/

Winterport Music Festival
Abbott Park
Winterport, ME
Phone: 207-223-5055

August 1, 2009

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The Winterport Music Festival hosts co-headliners The Waybacks and The James Montgomery Blues Band. Five other bands will take the stage at Abbott Park, sending country, rock, folk and acoustic guitar tunes across the Penobscot River. Performers are The Waybacks, James Montgomery Blues Band, The Kayla Wass Band, Martin Earley & Friends, Steve Cohen, Anna Mae Mitchell & Rising Tide, and the Gilpin Railroad Incident. Kayla Wass opens at noon; Martin Earley starts at 1:05 p.m.; Gilpin Railroad performs at 2:15 p.m.; Anna Mae at 3:25 p.m.; The Waybacks at 4:40 p.m.; Steve Cohen at 6 p.m.; and James Montgomery closes the festival at 7:05 p.m.. Admission to the concerts is free for children under 12 and just $5 for adults. Information: www.winterportmaine.gov/musicfestival.

SOUTH COAST top of listings

Celebrate Maine
Raitt Homestead Farm Museum, 2077 State Road, Route 103
Eliot, ME

August 8-9, 2009

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Celebrate MAINE is a family festival that honors the people, places and products that make Maine so attractive to visitors from around the world. Featuring the Mainely Grillin' and Chillin' Country BBQ State Competition, continuous live entertainment by Don Campbell Band & Music Maker Live Review, free children's activities including a climbing wall, Capt'n Eli's Soda Van, Shipyard Beer Garden, Moxie Horsemobile and fabulous food featuring fresh homemade shortcakes. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: Adults, $5; children age 12 and younger, free. Information: www.celebrateMAINEfestival.com or call 207- 439-3904.

Greek Heritage Festival
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Bradley Street
Saco, ME
Phone: 207-284-5651

July 10-12, 2009

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Authentic homemade Greek food and pastries; live Greek music by the Hellenic & Near East Musical Society Ensemble, Friday and Saturday, 5-9 p.m.; Greek dance ensemble, Saturday, 4 and 7 p.m.; narrated church tours and Greek culture lectures and videos; bookstore; religious items; Greek grocery store; souvenirs; Greek coffee house; baklava ice cream sundaes, and more. Time: Festival starts at 11 a.m. daily and runs until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. on Sunday.

WESTERN LAKES/MOUNTAINS top of listings

Mollyockett Day Festival, Parade, and Fireworks
Bethel Common
Bethel, ME
Phone: 207-824-3575

July 18, 2009

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Mollyockett Day is an annual community festival sponsored by the Mahoosuc Arts Council. Held on the historic Bethel Common, Mollyockett Day has drawn thousands of people of all ages, tastes and interests since 1960. This mountain village festival - named after a legendary Native American princess - features the annual ARTirondack Auction, a parade with a different theme each year, a competitive road race, live entertainment, a frog jumping contest, fireworks at dusk and much more. Information: www.mahoosucarts.org.

Moxie Festival
Lisbon High School, 2 Sugg Drive, and Gazebo Park
Lisbon Falls, ME

July 10-12, 2009

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In honor of the world famous soft drink, Moxie, a beverage of distinctive taste. Music, entertainment, food, fireworks, bed race and carnival games. Fireworks on Friday night, 9:15 p.m. Best viewing is Midtown Plaza. Schedule of events and more information: http://www.moxiefestival.com/

Ossippee Valley Fair
291 South Hiram Road
South Hiram, ME
Phone: 207-625-4440

July 9-12, 2009

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A true country fair with lots of livestock events and exhibits, Ossipee Valley Fair also offers novelty events (egg toss, pie eating, watermelon seed spitting...), horse and oxen pulling, a grand parade, farmer olympics, pig calling, agricultural demonstrations, 4-H events and exhibits, Old MacDonald's farm, car and truck show, 4X4 racing, horseshoe pitching, tractor pulls, musical entertainment, arts and crafts, great food, midway rides and games, and a host of helpful fair volunteers. Admission: Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, $5; Saturday, $6; seniors pay $3 on Thursday, Children age 12 and younger, free; parking $2 every day. Information: http://www.ossipeevalleyfair.com/

Worlds Fair
Waterford Fairgrounds, 64 Green Road
Waterford, ME

July 17-19, 2009

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A great small agricultural fair. This fair has a lot to offer, especially for families. Plenty of free children’s events, food, animals, craft fair, contests, Old McDonalds farm, draft horse show, antique tractor pulling.