FALL INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON ...

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    Fall ... into the holidays in the Boothbay region ...

    October is the month for pumpkins, cornstalks, trees electrified with color, apples; the time of thrills and chills ... Boothbay Railway Village’s Harvest Fair, the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta, ghost trains, haunted history tours, potlucks and scary tales read in a spooky opera house ... 

    November leads us into a time of Thanksgiving and celebration ... Boothbay Festival of Lights and Gardens Aglow bathe the region in white and color lights signaling the beginning of the holidays ... turkeys and pumpkins ... families gathered for Thanksgiving cheer with loved ones on Thanksgiving Day ... and then the Christmas-Yule-Hanukkah-Kwanza-shopping  season ... Santa comes to town for his first visit the Saturday after Thanksgiving  

    December sees the return of Santa, this time accompanied by Mrs. Claus, a band of merry elves and other North Pole characters for the Harbor Lights Festival; the Festival of Trees adding to the magical atmosphere of the Opera House; the celebration of Hanukkah, school holiday concerts, Men’s Night ... Holiday Train at Boothbay Railway Village, Yule, Victorian Christmas at the WW&F Railway Museum in Alna, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve ...

     

    ... Calendar of Events ... 

     

    ~ November ~

    4  -  Early Bird Sale  -  in Bath and Damariscotta. 

    4 - Le Vent du Novel - Concert at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 7:30 p.m.,  “ ... Featuring button accordion, bouzouki, guitar and fiddle, the band’s sound is defined by the hurdy-gurdy, which adds an earthy, rough-hewn flavor to even the most buoyant dance tunes.” — Boston Herald. Tickets and information: www.boothbayoperahouse.com or 633-5159.

    11  -  Early Bird Sale  - Wiscasset. For details, visit www.wiscassetnewspaper.com

    15  - Boothbay Festival of Lights - The region is transformed with holiday lights of all colors thanks to the merchants, business owners, residents and municipal entities who love getting into the spirit of the season straight through the New Year!

    15 - Morris Farm Thanksgiving Potluck - The Morris Farm, 156 Gardiner Road, Wiscasset will host a Community Thanksgiving potluck with two seatings — at 5 and 6:30 p.m. Space is limited, so please RSVP to let us know you will be coming and what potluck dish you'll be bringing by going to the website, www.morrisfarm.org.

    16-19 - Holiday Gifts for Giving - Studi0 53, 53 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor. An annual event with artsy gift ideas featuring art, books, crafts, stained glass, and more! 633-2755.

    17 - Gardens Aglow - The holiday lights of the season. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is transformed into a magical winter wonderland when hundreds of thousands of lights are strung throughout the upper gardens - through Dec. 31. Thursday – Sunday, 4-9 p.m. Tickets available online: www.mainegardens.org

    18  -  Early Bird Sale & Pajama Party  -  In Boothbay Harbor. Local merchants offer discounts - some all day - largest discounts in the early morning hours beginning at 6 a.m. Throw on your bathrobe and get to town!

    23 - Thanksgiving Day 

    25 - Santa comes to Boothbay! - Old St. Nick makes his first visit to the Boothbay region on the Boothbay Common, escorted by the Boothbay Fire Department. Kiddos can begin telling Santa their Christmas wishes at 6 p.m. 

    ~ December ~

    1 - 3 - Festival of Trees - A magical holiday tradition continued by the Boothbay Region Garden Club. Theme decorated Christmas and Yule trees decorated by local businesses, groups or individuals, of all sizes and colors that are silently auctioned. At the festively decorated Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave.

    2 - Art in the Square - Local and regional artists create mini masterpieces on 12” x 12”  canvases, displayed at Boothbay Region Art Foundation, 1 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor. All works $100. This show continues through the month.

    1-31  - Gardens Aglow  - The holiday lights highlight of the season. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is transformed into a magical winter wonderland lit by 350,000 lights – through Dec. 31. www.mainegardens.org.

    2  - 32nd Annual Harbor Lights Festival - Santa, Mrs. Claus & their North Pole entourage come to town. Wagon rides, lighted boat parade, visit with The Clauses, live Nativity, craft show, Festival of Trees and more. Events around downtown Boothbay Harbor. Call the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce for more info: 633-2353.

    7-11 - Holiday Marketfest - Downtown Wiscasset. Shopping! Santa visits! Music! Food! Event details can be found online at www.wiscassetholidaymarketfest.com

    7  - Pianist Paul Sullivan -  Concert at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor at 7 p.m.,  Tickets on sale beginning Nov. 1 at  www.boothbayoperahouse.com or the box office: 633-5159.

    8  - Holiday Sparkle Fireworks - Over the harbor, 6-7 p.m. www.boothbaylights.com

    9 & 10  - The North Pole Express - Boothbay Railway Village fires up the steam train for a holiday ride, the North Pole Express. Great family outing! Treats! Departure times/details will be announced later this year.

    15  - Dough Ball Preview Party - At the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Avenue. 5:30 p.m. Holiday sounds of the Novel Jazz Quartet. Cash bar. And, the winners of the Gingerbread Spectacular are announced - and all gingerbreads are on display! FMI: www.boothbayoperahouse.com

    16 & 17  - The North Pole Express – See listing under Dec. 9 & 10 for details.

    16 & 17 - Gingerbread Spectacular  -  At the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Avenue. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days - no admission fee! The sweet architecture at this event is not to be missed! 

    16 & 23 - Victorian Christmas at WW&F Railway Museum, 97 Cross Road, Alna. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with diesel and steam train rides 11 a.m. to  4 p.m., and sleigh rides 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Holiday decorations! Refreshments. All trains will stop to visit Santa at Alna Center station! All Train and Sleigh rides will be FREE! as our way of saying “Thank You” to our Sheepscot Valley neighbors for your generous support this past year. http://wwfry.org

    20  - Community Holiday Potluck & Carol Sing - Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Avenue. 5:30 p.m. - dinner, 6:30 p.m. the music starts with Kevin Kiley at the piano! FMI: www.boothbayoperahouse.com

    21- Men's Night  - Local merchants offer super discounts to finish those Christmas lists – and some will even be cooking up burgers and other tasty treats on the sidewalks to keep up your strength! 5-9 p.m.

    21  - Winter Solstice Bonfire -  4-7 p.m. Location TBA. Contact the Boothbay Region Land Trust: 633-4818.

     

    ~ October ~

    1  - Family Harvest Days – Boothbay Railway Village. See Sept. 30 listing for details. 586 Wiscasset Rd./Route 27, Boothbay. 633-4727. http://railwayvillage.org

    1  - Oktoberfest  - On the Wiscasset Common, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pumpkin decorating, apples and pumpkins will be for sale, yard sale with knitted mittens, scarves, and other crafts. Grilled bratwurst n' hot dogs, German sauerkraut, chips, and beverages for lunch. Homemade baked goods available.

    1-9  - Annual Pumpkinfest  - Events include the great Pumpkin Commonwealth Weigh-Off, a regatta parade, street parade, pumpkin drop, decorating and carving competition, regatta race. Main events happen on the 7th and 8th including the Regatta Parade, Pumpkin Derby. www.mainepumpkinfest.com

    6  - First Friday Art Tour - Last of the season, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at participating galleries. At participating galleries. Open houses, demonstrations, refreshments. Call: 633-2703 see Art Tours promo page at www.boothbayregister.com for details.

    7-9  - 5oth Annual Fall Foliage Festival - Boothbay Railway Village. Large craft fair, live music, pumpkin carving contests, giant pumpkin carving, fair food, more than 100 artists and makers, children’s activity corner. 586 Wiscasset Rd./Rte. 27, Boothbay. 633-4727. http://railwayvillage.org

    14  - The Bobs Farewell Tour  -  Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. 7:30 p.m. Box office: 633-5159. www.boothbayoperahouse.com.

    15  - Heirloom Apple Talk & Tasting Tour  - Join amateur orchardist Ron Ross for an engaging talk, apple tasting, and orchard tour at Oak Point from 2-4 p.m. Registration required. To register and for more info call Tracey at Boothbay Region Land Trust: 633-4818. Visit www.bbrlt.org for more info.

    18-31  - Hike the Halloween Story Trail  - Follow the illustrated signs along the trail at the Ocean Point Preserver on Van Horn Road in East BOOthbay, as they tell a tale to get you in the Halloween spirit. This easy 1 mile walk can be completed at your own pace and on your own time. Suitable for children of all ages. Starts at trail head and you will see the start of the Halloween Story Trail. Free. No advance registration. Find out where the trail is and other info by contacting Environmental Educator Tracey Hall at thall@bbrlt.org or 633-4818.

    26 - Annual Halloween Potluck & Scary Readings - Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Avenue,  BOOthbay Harbor. FMI: http://boothbayoperahouse.com

    Oct. 27 & 28  -  Ghost Train  - Boothbay Railway Village. Great googli-moogli! Ride the steam train under magical moonlight … and creepy candlelight illuminating witches, ghouls .. zombies ... Rides begin at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 and at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. FMI: 633-4727. 586 Wiscasset Rd./Rte 27, BOOthbay. http://railwayvillage.org 

     

     

     

     Boothbay Railway Village

    586 Wiscasset Road/Route 27, Boothbay

    Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday,

    10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and Monday

    Admission is $4 ~ Children 12 and under and Museum Members are free.

    Steam train tickets add another $5 to each ticket (members: no charge)

    Free Parking!

    Artisan demonstrations, live music, and a children’s corner sponsored by the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library and the Boothbay Sea & Science Center, pumpkin carving contest; and over 115 vendors - including food vendors. For a complete list of vendors in the 50th Fall Foliage Festival visit Village’s website.

    Stage Schedule

    Saturday, Oct. 7
    11-11:30 a.m.  -   Judy Pancoast (presented by the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library)
    12:30-1:30 p.m. - Boothbay Region Community Band
    3 – 4:30 p.m.  -  The Space Heaters

    Sunday, Oct. 8
    Noon to 1:30 p.m.  -  Oyster Creek Fiddlers
    2-3:30 p.m.  -   The Holy Mackerels

    Monday, Oct. 9
    11 a.m. to noon  - Fay Christy
    2-3:30 p.m.  - Noel Arrington and Gabe Tonon

     

     

    Oct. 18-31

    Free! No registration required. 

    This year’s trail takes families to the East BOOthbay Ocean Point Preserve.  

    Read a family friendly book while you hike! Follow the illustrated signs along the trail as they tell a tale to get you in the Halloween spirit.

    This easy 1 mile walk can be completed at your own pace and on your own time and is suitable for children of all ages. Just drive to the trail head and you will see the start of the Halloween Story Trail.
     
     ... About the preserve ...

    The preserve (0.9 mile loop), located on Van Horn Road, spans 25 acres in the largest wetland area on Linekin Neck, which makes it the ideal habitat for waterfowl and wading birds! And Tibbetts Pond is comprised of  2.5 acres within the preserve.

    Directions:   From the traffic light (there’s only the one) in Boothbay Harbor at the Hannaford Market, turn onto Rte. 96 and drive  5.2 miles. Turn right onto Van Horn Road and proceed 0.3 mile to a small parking area on your left.

    For more information contact Environmental Educator Tracey Hall at thall@bbrlt.org or 633-4818.

     

    Opera House at 633-2855 or 633-5159 

    86 Townsend Avenue

    BOOthbay Harbor  

    The Opera House at BOOthbay Harbor will be looking spooktacular for the annual All Hallow’s Eve feast and scary stories event on Thursday, October 26  

    Wear a Halloween costume or come as yourself ...

     Bring a salad, main or side dish, or a dessert to share along with serving utensils.  Everyone should bring a bowl and spoon ... in case someone makes a soup ... or chili ... or chowder ...

     Oh, and, don’t forget the usual Halloween items:

     a garlic bulb necklace ...  salt ...  and your lucky charm ...

     

     

     skeleton%20party.jpg

     DUDE!  That was hilarious ... gimme five!         Photo courtesy of Kevin Kiley 

     

    Boothbay Register photo

     Friday, October 27

    Saturday, October 28

    At BOOthbay Railway Village

    Enchanted cemeteries, zombies, the calls of strange beasts and  unimaginable apparitions ... sounds like a good time!

    Tiny Tots Train:  The first two trains at 4:30 and 5 p.m.

    Spookier trips depart  at 5:30, 6 and 6:30 p.m. 

    Enter the haunted barn ... IF YOU DARE! (Insert maniacal laughter here ...)

    Tickets at the door $8 - kids 3 and under ride for free.  

     

    SUZI THAYER/Boothbay Register

    Gardens Aglow

    Nov. 17 – Dec. 31
    Thursdays through Sundays, 4-9 p.m.
    Except Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve 

     Be entranced by the hundreds of thousands of lights, strung through the upper gardens by the holiday elves of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.

    Purchase Gardens Aglow tickets at www.mainegardens.org.

    Shuttle location(s) from Boothbay Harbor to be announced.

     

    DIANE DORBIN/Boothbay Register

    SANTA arrives

    ... with a Boothbay Fire Station escort - and atop one of the station’s finest engines!

    Kids tell Old St. Nick what they’d like for Christmas, after assuring him they’ve been good all year, in the gazebo 

    the Boothbay Common - weather permitting.

    Hot chocolate, carols, cookies ... FUN!!

    6 p.m. ... until every child has visited with Santa

     

    SUZI THAYER/Boothbay Register

    December 1-3

    Boothbay Harbor Opera House ~ 86 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor

    Silent Auction. 

    Shops selling many goodies. 

    Raffles.

    Festive and fun!  

     

    DIANE DORBIN/Boothbay Register

    32nd HARBOR LIGHTS FESTIVAL

     FMI: Contact the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce:

    633-2353 or SeaMaine@BoothbayHarbor.com        

    All events subject to change               

    Saturday, Dec. 2

    * Craft Show, Boothbay Harbor Fire Station, Howard St., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

    Festival of Trees, Opera House, 86 Townsend Ave.,  10 a.m.-5 p.m.

    Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive with elves and other friends, Boothbay Harbor Town Landing, aboard the Novelty, 1 p.m.

    * Lap Time with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, 4 Oak St., 1:15-3:30 p.m.

    Horse-drawn Wagon Rides, Pick  up points: Boothbay Harbor Town Office/Municipal parking lot & Opera House, 1:30-4 p.m.

    Story Time, Sherman's Books & Stationery, Commercial St., 2-3:30 p.m.

    Christmas Tree Lighting and Caroling, Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, 4 Oak St., 4 p.m.

    Art In The Square show reception, Boothbay Region Art Foundation, One Townsend Ave., 4-6 p.m.

    Gardens Aglow, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 132 Botanical Gardens Dr. (off Barters Island Rd.), 4-9 p.m.

    Live Nativity (play), Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Atlantic Ave., 4:30 p.m.

    Lighted Boat Parade, inner harbor, 5 p.m.

    Parade Viewing Party, Mine Oyster, Pier 1, 4:30-6 p.m., Tickets for special food/drink deal: $25 pp

    Wrap Up Party, Mine Oyster, Pier 1, 6-9 p.m., Free!

     

    Boothbay Railway Village, Boothbay, ME

    Saturday, Dec. 9, 16 & 23

    Sunday, Dec. 10 & 17

    Morning departures ~ 11 and 11:45

    Afternoon departures ~ 12:30, 1:15, 2 and 2:45 each day

    Avoid long lines and waiting : buy your tickets in advance at http://railwayvillage.org 

    *Write a letter to Santa in BRV’s 1912 Freeport Station

    * Upgrade to First Class and ride in the restored 1903 Franklin & Megantic Coach No. 2.  - plush walkover seats, mahogany interior ...

    Settle into a comfortable seat in the steam-heated passenger car and enjoy the frosted forest (hopefully - think snow!)

    After the train ride ... 

    * Storybook reading in the Spruce Point Chapel

    * Ornament making for the children

    * Hot chocolate & cookies at the 1847 Town Hall

    * G scale model of BRV’s own locomotive and a holiday themed layout under the Village’s Christmas tree!

    * See the Harrington House and the vintage decorations that deck its halls! 

    586 Wiscasset Road/Route 27

    Boothbay 

     

     

     

    Saturdays, December 16 & 23

    Museum grounds open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

    Steam and Diesel trains 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sleigh (or wagon) Rides 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

    Horse-drawn sleigh/wagon rides

    ... and a visit from Santa Claus at Alna Center!

     

    Robert Mitchell Photography

    ‘Twas the night before winter,

    and all through the House

    There was laughter and song

    Loud enough to wake a mouse ... (or something like that!)

    ANYWAY ... Come one, come all, to the final event of the season (and year, for that matter!) at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor

    Potluck dinner begins at 5:30 p.m.

    Beverages are available

    Bring a hot main dish, side dish salad or a dessert for everyone to share - and utensils to serve it with! 

    After dinner entertainment by Kevin Kiley at the piano and ...Y-O-U! ... 6:30-ish.

    Be part of this local holiday tradition!

     

     

     

    Men's Night