“Happy Days.” I just got back from Ireland and that’s how people respond when you’ve told them something good. Everything is Happy Days this weekend with wine, art, film, and lobster mac ‘n’ cheese—all the basic necessities of life.

Free and $10 Films at CIFF

Friday-Sunday, Sept. 18-20 — Midcoast

Even though it still feels like summer, it’s definitely the third week of September when the Camden International Film Festival hits the Midcoast. And even if you don’t have a weekend pass, you can buy individual tickets ($10) for each film and the Shorts collection each day are always free to the public. Several highlights of this year's program include Locarno Film Festival titles Machine Gun or Typewriter, The Ground We Won and Locarno winner Olmo and the Seagull, fresh from Toronto: climate change doc This Changes Everything; and Points North alums Containment and Drawing the Tiger. Free short films start each day at 10 a.m at the Camden Opera House and Rockport Opera House. See schedules here.

PechaKucha brings the oompf

Friday, Sept. 18 — Owls Head

Some PKs have more buzz than others and this one is buzzing pretty hard tonight. For those who still don’t know what it is, PechaKucha is a night of  engaging, fast-paced presentations of 20 images with a 20-second explanation from a diverse array of creative talents in the Midcoast. The event takes place at the Owls Head Transportation Museum. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Presenters will include a marine scientist, furniture maker, artist, author, winemaker, gardener & artist, a sculptor and a maker of things. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Killer Road Trip: Open Winery Day all over the state

Saturday, Sept. 19 — Statewide

Better consult The Maine Wine Trail— it’s time for a liquid hike. On Saturday, wineries around the state are taking part in the Maine Winery Guild’s Open Winery Day. Wineries will be hosting tours of their facilities and vineyards, with food, music, and special offers in their tasting rooms. With 24 wineries in Maine it’s the ultimate killer road trip. Locally, you can check out Sweetgrass and Savage Oakes Vineyard and Winery in Union, The Breakwater Vineyards Tasting room in Rockland, Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville, and Penobscot Bay Brewery in Winterport. Contact each winery for hours of operation. FMI: MaineWineTrail.com

Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese Cookoff

Sunday, Sept. 20 — Rockland

Slap on the bibs for this drool fest. As part of Midcoast Maine Lobsterpalooza week, the third annual Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese Cook-off will take place at the Elks Lodge in Rockland with celebrity judges critiquing amateur and professional chefs from around the state as they vie for position as “Top Chef” in their category. For just $10, you can jump into a giant vat of lobster mac n’ cheese. (Not literally, that would be gross.) But you’ll get your fill of creamy goodness. Tickets were a sell-out at the door last year, so plan to get tickets in advance or to arrive early. For more information, visit the Maine Lobsterpalooza Facebook page. See our story on it last year.

Found Debris Made Into Art

Sunday, Sept. 20 — Rockland

Doing what they do best, taking junk and re-purposing it into thoughtful art, Resisting Entropy, a group of local artists, will be creating pieces from "found" materials in conjunction with the Coastal Cleanup Day on the shores of Rockland Harbor. They will be assembling their art installation during the day on Saturday and the public is welcome to come watch the artists create. At 1 p.m. on Sunday, at the southern end of the Rockland Harbor Trail, there will be a reception for the art installation and an opportunity to meet the artists. FMI: GeorgesRiver.org

 Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com