UNITY — "Going up (over, down) to the fair this weekend?" Doesn't matter in what part of the State of Maine one might be living, the question is likely repeated thousands of times in late September, and references but one event — the Common Ground Country Fair, held each year around the Autumnal Equinox. 

It is collective celebration of the harvest and rural living, and is hosted by the Maine Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) at its headquarters in Unity, in the heart of Waldo County.

From October 3 - 30, the Rockport Public Library will host the Maine Fibershed Festival, a month-long exhibit complimented by special events focused on how Maine’s Soil-to-Soil fiber system weaves together a strong, stable, and connected community.

“Everyday Heirlooms,” an exhibition of exceptional, functional products in wood, will open at the Messler Gallery in Rockport on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. The opening reception will be held from 5-7 p.m., and the public is encouraged to attend. The exhibition runs through January 7, 2026. 

“Everyday Heirlooms” celebrates beautifully crafted objects that blend function with thoughtful design. On display is a wide range of work, from small-batch pieces by contemporary independent makers to products from companies both large and small.

Kathie Hills, textile artist and the head of the Textile Department for the Waldoboro Historical Society, will share her deep knowledge of the rug hooking craft and its significance to the town, Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 6 - 7 p.m., at the Waldoboro Public Library, 958 Main Street.

Hills will bring her current project as well as items from the Historical Society to view. Books on rug hooking will be available for sale.

This event is free and open to the public thanks to sponsorship from the Friends of the Waldoboro Public Library.

BELFAST — On Friday, October 3, at The First Church, take a spin on the dance floor and let your shoes fly at the First Friday Community Dance and Contras.

The intergenerational program begins at 6 p.m., when the All Comers Band warms up and chooses tunes with Maisie Newell. The band is open to all ages, instruments, and skill levels; a collection of tunes is posted at belfastflyingshoes.org. Chrissy Fowler calls the easy-to-learn Community Dance starting at 6:30.

This month marks the 250th anniversary of one of the most remarkable and grueling military marches in American history: the 1775 Arnold Expedition to Quebec. Led by Benedict Arnold, more than 1,000 troops set off through the Maine wilderness in an attempt to capture Quebec during the early days of the Revolutionary War. Many of these troops came from our communities, said Lincoln County Historical Association.

The Midcoast Community Band, directed by Jo Anne Parker, will present a free concert Wednesday evening, Oct. 1, 2025, at 7 p.m., at the Odd Fellows Hall, Elementary School Road, in Tenants Harbor. Donations will be accepted.

ROCKPORT and BELFAST — Community members are invited to attend Farmers’ Markets on the MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospital campuses this month.

The MHPBH event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the main hospital campus, in the parking lot of the Physicians Building (4 Glen Cove Dr.).

The MHWH event will take place Sunday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot to the right of the Biscone Medical Building (119 Northport Ave.), across the street from the main hospital.

Jennifer Lunden, author of the 2025 Read ME nonfiction selection, American Breakdown: Our Ailing Nation, My Body’s Revolt, and the Nineteenth-Century Woman Who Brought Me Back to Life, will speak Thursday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m., at Rockland Public Library.

Sweet Baby James, a James Taylor tribute, returns Friday night, Oct. 3., to Camden Opera House, 29 Elm Street. Doors open 7 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. performance.

"Nashville singer-songwriter Bill Griese delights audiences with his uncanny Taylor-like vocals, guitar playing, and down-to-earth personality," said the Opera Hiuse. "Sweet Baby James offers no impersonations or gimmicks, just the great music of JT." 

“This is not like a typical tribute band,” said Griese. “I play these songs the most respectful way I know how - as myself.”    

Join the Hope Library and local beadweaver Linda Black for an artist's reception for her intricate beadwork and jewelry pieces, which are on display at the library this fall.

The reception will be held Thursday, Oct. 16, from 7 - 8 p.m., at 443 Camden Road, Hope, ME 04847.

Refreshments will be provided.

Midday Music Series will offer "When ‘Songs from Here’ Performs, Maine Is the Superstar!" Friday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. 

"Songs from Here’s Bay Chamber performance celebrates Maine in all its seaside and blueberry glory," said Bay Chamber Concerts. "Soprano Sarah Tuttle and pianist Bridget Convey, both nationally renowned musicians, have curated a program that celebrates the crafts and trade of Maine.

Hope Works presents "Hope General Store," Thursday, Oct. 9, from 6-7 p.m., at 443 Camden Road, Hope, ME 04847.

Hope General Store has been serving the Hope community since 1832.

Page Gallery presents a group show, 'Hometown,' featuring artists' personal interpretations and visual reflections of what the idea means to them.

The opening reception coincides with Camden's Art Walk on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 5 - 7 p.m., when Bay View Street will be closed to vehicles and there will be live music by Tom DiMenna, a food truck by Taco Joe, crafting with Miss Amy from the Camden Public Library, and galleries and shops open late.

PORTLAND — As the first celebration of its 25th season, WinterKids announces the premiere of a brand-new short documentary at the Snow Day Dreams film event, taking place this November 18, in Portland. 

The film event takes place November 18, 2025, at 6 p.m., at AURA, in Portland.

"This milestone marks WinterKids’ debut outing as a 25-year-old organization, and the excitement is just beginning," said WinterKids.

The Warren Historical Society will meet Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m., in the Old Brick School Community Center on School Street, in Warren.
The program is "Warren Academy, A Giant Step in Education".

In 1808, a group of citizens met to discuss high school education in Warren. One year later, the first classes met and continued until it became Warren Free High School.

"Come join us for the evening with refreshments following the program," said WHS.

Donna Loring, noted Penobscot Nation Tribal Elder, activist and author, will present the animated adaptation of “Mary and Molly”, a short film based on her 2016 play of the same title on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m., at the Thomaston Public Library.

A panel discussion with Loring, co-director David Camlin and casting and dialog director Margo Lukens, will follow the screening.

This collaborative community event, co-sponsored by Cushing and Thomaston Public Libraries, is free and open to the public.

The Belfast Maskers are celebrating homegrown theater this fall with "One Blue Tarp", the heartfelt comedy by Maine playwright Travis G. Baker. Directed by Meg Nickerson, the funny, familiar, and a little too true play captures the rhythms of small-town life in Maine, where everyone knows your business—sometimes even the color of the tarp in your yard. The production runs Friday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct.

The Friends of Music Concert Series, an outreach program of The First Congregational Church of Camden, welcomes the folk collective Floyds Row to the church sanctuary, Sunday, Oct. 5, at 4 p.m., at 55 Elm Street.

Folk collective Floyds Row has performed extensively throughout the UK and US exploring the connections between early, classical, folk, bluegrass/newgrass, and world music––“a mix of Purcell and Bob Dylan played on various instruments, including an accordion and a viola da gamba. Kinda crazy, but it works,” said WPFW Radio.