Maine’s 2022 September Update

September 7, 2022

Katahdin Woods and Waters Dark Sky

The Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument is known for its hiking, paddling, and all-around epic outdoor recreation. It’s also famed for its dark skies, which is why The International Dark-Sky Association has designated the monument as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Only 13 such sanctuaries exist in the world, and in the U.S., Katahdin is the only one east of the Mississippi. The International Dark Sky Association has also designated the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Maine Woods property as an International Dark Sky Park. The AMC land is within Maine’s famed 100-Mile Wilderness and includes part of the Appalachian Trail. The park is the first of its kind in New England.

St. John Valley Cultural Byway/Fish River Scenic Byway

St. John Valley Cultural Byway/Fish River Scenic Byway is a cultural journey shaped by Maine’s rich Acadian heritage and culture. The St. John Valley Cultural Byway portion runs for 92 miles along the northern border of Maine. The communities along this byway celebrate their ancestry along the scenic international river valley that showcases historical landmarks and outdoor winter sports. The Fish River National Scenic Byway corridor is 38 miles long and includes the towns of Fort Kent, Wallagrass, Eagle Lake, Winterville, and Portage Lake. Visitors come for the panoramic vistas, lakes for fishing, sailing, wildlife, bird watching, and the pastoral beauty of a “working byway” that supports agricultural and forest industries.

At First Light

The Bowdoin College Museum of Art is presenting “At First Light,” an exhibition of artworks created in Maine over the last two centuries. The presentation argues for the critical role visual arts have played in the state’s history. There are featured works by Marsden Hartley, William Zorach, George Bellows, and Charles Herbert Woodbury. The exhibition runs through November 6, 2022.

Alex Katz: Theater and Dance

The first exhibition to examine Alex Katz’s collaborative work for the stage, this playful, cross-disciplinary project at the Colby College Museum of Art brings together sketches, paintings, photographs, film, set pieces, costumes, and ephemera. It explores how Katz introduced tenets of postwar painting into dance aesthetics and the deep inspiration he has drawn from a prolonged study of performance. On view through February 19, 2023.

Maine Lobster Week

Celebrate Maine’s favorite crustacean at the second annual Maine Lobster Week, September 19-25. Look for lobster deals at more than 30 restaurants, diners, food trucks, and lobster shacks throughout the state. Participants in Portland include Eventide Oyster Co., Luke’s Lobster, and Via Vecchia. There’s also Sea Glass at Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth and Sea Dog Brewing in South Portland. ZaoZe Café and Market in Brunswick, Nubb’s Lobster Shack in Cape Neddick, and The Boathouse Waterfront Restaurant in Kennebunkport are also on board. Multi-course prix fixe meals will range from $45 to $65 per person, and lobster rolls and other lobster dishes are a la carte. Visit Maine Lobster Week for details.

Snow Pond Center for the Arts

Snow Pond Center for the Arts in the town of Sydney is home to one of Maine’s largest outdoor amphitheaters. This lakeside venue will host the second annual Snow Pond On Tap! event on September 17, 2022, with music provided by The Jason Spooner Band, The Weight Band, and the Ryan Montbleau Band. Breweries supporting the event include Bigelow Brewing Company, Island Dog Brewing, Ambition Brewing, Allagash Brewing, and Bateau Brewing. For tickets and more info, visit Snow Pond Center for the Arts.