SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | ISSUE 35

September 3 - 13

FMI or to purchase tickets, visit the Belfast Masker's

page HERE

Do si do and swing your partner at the gorgeous Rockport Opera House during

the Flying Shoes community contra dance, now scheduled every second Sunday of the month. A unique cultural tradition, this intergenerational and chem-free program welcomes new dancers and experienced folks alike.

The featured musicians this month are the Newell Family Band, three generations of leading lights in Maine’s contra dance music scene. This summer, the group was a featured band at the 50th anniversary of the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, bringing Maine's driving Down East dance music to the

renowned trad gathering in Port Townsend, WA. The band is Maisie Newell on fiddle; her father, Carter Newell on fiddle, clogs, and accordions; her partner, Eric Dayan on guitar; and their children, Elijah, Bubba, Dixie, and Solomon Dayan on fiddles.

Two callers will take the mic for the evening’s dancing. Flying Shoes co-founder, Chrissy Fowler, will lead the Community Dance – simple repertoire for all ages and experience levels and especially great for families with young children. Alice Slater, a major force in Maine’s contra dance culture, will call the Contra Dance. As a dancer, organizer, and caller, Slater relishes learning new material and recently returned from a summer intensive in square dance calling. Get ready for a dance party not to be missed! The dance is presented by the Rockport Opera House, the Town of Rockport, and Belfast Flying Shoes. During the 6:00 pm Community Dance, you can listen, dance, or bring an instrument to play along with

The Newells as a “Back Row Bandit”.

The Contra Dance kicks off at 7:00 pm, with a brief introductory

session followed by a full program of trad music and dancing.

The Rockport Opera House is at 6 Central St in Rockport. Sliding scale admission is $15 – 25. (For just the first hour’s community dance, admission is $1 kids $2 adults.) Bring your friends and family. All are welcome!

Belfast Flying Shoes builds community and cultivates well-being through the joys of traditional music and dance. Its nonprofit programs include participatory dance residencies for students and staff at local schools. Info at www.belfastflyingshoes.org

Built in 1891, the Rockport Opera House is one of the architectural gems of Maine. Owned by the Town of Rockport, the venue hosts concerts, weddings, special events, and community programming throughout the year. Info at rockportoperahouse.org/

Measuring Change in the Ducktrap Forest with Coastal Mountains Land Trust

Lincolnville – On September 17 at 5:30 pm, at the Ducktrap preserve, join Coastal Mountains Land Trust and student researcher, JP Raite, for a guided walk on how our local forests are changing. JP recently led a team of UMaine forestry students to establish permanent monitoring plots within the preserve. These plots track changes in the forest's health and structure, as the region faces increasing pressure from climate change, invasive species, tree pests and pathogens.

Participants will visit three plots in hemlock, ash, and beech tree stands, where JP will share findings from her first year of data collection. Identification guides will be available for anyone interested in learning more about native species. On the return walk, there will be an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the tranquility of the preserve and with any luck, a hermit thrush serenade.

JP is an Ecology student at the University of Maine researching environmental change. She also works as a practice manager at OPAL Architecture in Belfast. A Lincolnville resident and neighbor to the preserve, JP spends much of her free time walking its trails and sitting by the river.

This walk is approximately 2.5 miles round trip with a moderate grade. All ages are welcome. Please bring water, tick, and insect protection. Wear comfortable, yet sturdy hiking shoes.

The trailhead parking lot is off Route 52/Belfast. Meet at the trailhead parking lot (2749 Belfast Rd, Lincolnville, ME 04849). We'll cross Belfast Rd/route 52 and hike a portion of the west trail to visit three forest inventory plots. 

Please register for this nature program by visiting Coastal Mountains Land Trust’s events page on their website at: https://www.coastalmountains.org/event

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Coastal Mountains Land Trust has worked since 1986 to permanently conserve land and connect people with nature in the western Penobscot Bay. The Land Trust has protected over 13,500 acres, offering 55+ miles of trails for public recreation. 

Grove Cemetery Tour with An American Revolution Theme

Saturday, September 19, tour starts at 1:00

Join Megan Pinette, Historical Society President and Belfast Cemetery Trustee on a “Revolutionary Belfast” themed walk through Grove Cemetery.  Grove Cemetery is located at 262 Belmont Avenue. The tour will take place on Saturday, September 19 and the tour starts at 1:00. Meet at the Grove Cemetery Chapel. Parking is available in the cemetery. Featured will be John Cochran, Boston Tea Party participant, Mrs. Jane Durham, her extensive memory recalls the Penobscot Expedition, and William Crosby, with his childhood memory of the night before the Battle of Lexington. A suggested donation of $10.00 to benefit the Chapel Restoration Fund. The tour lasts about an hour +.

CLICK FOR TICKETS

BELFAST SHRED-IT DAY

Maine State Credit Union

15 Belmont Ave, Belfast

September 25th from 9 am - 12 pm



Join us for a free talk on Red Flag Implementation: Next Steps

Tuesday, September 29, 4:00–5:30 p.m.

Mid-Coast School of Technology, Rockland

Wednesday, September 30, 3:00–4:30 p.m.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay

Free (pre-registration appreciated)

Last November, Maine voters passed a referendum to enact an Extreme Risk Protection Order law - commonly known as the Red Flag Law - by more than 60%. The harder work now begins: ensuring this new civil court process is accessible to those who need it, through education, training, and proactive community engagement.

This presentation on Red Flag and Yellow Flag processes, will identify points of overlap and key differences, explore court forms developed for Red Flag petitions, and open the floor for feedback.

Retired federal prosecutor, National Domestic Violence Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Justice, and current teacher at the University of Maine School of Law, Margaret Groban, returns to New Hope Midcoast to follow up on the passage of Red Flag Laws in Maine. 

For more information visit: https://newhopemidcoast.org/speaker-series-main/

Marshall Wharf Brewing Company will be hosting their annual festival B⁴ (Belfast Bay Beer Bash) on Saturday, October 3, from 4 – 10 pm, featuring:

·      

•    30+ Craft Beers - including limited release of cask and barrel-conditioned specialty beers 
•  Live Music: Emmett Lalor & Friends @ 4 pm / Rigometrics @ 7 pm
• Food Trucks: Joshua & Dakota’s Cantina & Ca C’est Bon Truck

Tickets:$20 cover

·         $40 Includes commemorative glass + 10 beer tickets

You can reserve your tickets early at www.marshallwharfbrewing.com 

and receive 10% off!

Waterfall Arts invites the public to explore the creative heart of Rockland during the Lincoln Street Center Fall Open Studios, taking place Saturday, October 17, from 1 to 5 p.m. at 24 Lincoln Street in Rockland.

During the free, public event, artists will open their studios and welcome visitors into their creative spaces. Guests will have the opportunity to explore Rockland’s historic high school, now home to more than 40 artist studios and one of the nation’s oldest theaters.

Visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look at working artists’ studios, learn about a variety of artistic mediums, meet artists, and view original artwork.

Participating artists will include:

• Susan Beebe — paintings
• Gianna Bird — watercolor
• Gary Briechle — photography and painting
• Stan Farrell — musician and inventor
• Katherine Ferrier — quilting and fiber
• Kathleen Florance — paintings
• Laura Waller — oil paintings

“We are so excited to open the doors to this historic building and let the public breathe in some of this magic air,” said Waterfall Arts. “As we get to know each artist, we are increasingly inspired by their stories, talent, and tenacity — a true blessing to the Rockland and Waterfall communities.”

The Fall Open Studios is free and open to all.

A New Chapter for Lincoln Street Center

The Open Studios event marks an exciting new chapter for the Lincoln Street Center and the broader arts community. Waterfall Arts acquired the Lincoln Street Center on June 30, following a year-long effort by a coalition of organizations and community members to raise the funds needed to secure the building’s future.

The acquisition was made possible through significant community support, including major contributions from The Ellis Beauregard Foundation, The Lesher Family Foundation, and two anonymous donors.

Waterfall Arts is proud to have secured the future of one of Maine’s largest community arts facilities, preserving more than 40 working artist studios and ensuring that the historic Lincoln Street Center can continue to serve artists and the community for years to come.

Event Details

Lincoln Street Center Fall Open Studios

Saturday, October 17 | 1–5 p.m.

24 Lincoln Street, Rockland, Maine

Free and open to the public

Parking is available behind the building. An accessible entrance is located at the side entrance on the south side of the building at the basement level.

1 WEEK TO SIGN UP!

Dorothy Havey, Executive Director

Director@belfastmaine.org

Kim Grindle, Member Relations Coordinator

ChamberOffice@belfastmaine.org

Board of Directors

President: Michelle Curtis, First National Bank

Vice President: Ryan Harnden, Mathews Brothers

Treasurer: Terri Tower, Camden National Bank

Secretary: Megan McAvoy, MaineHealth Waldo Hospital

Haley B. Hall, Esq., Camden Law

John McKeith, The Belfast Center

Mary Tripp, Bank of America

Tracy Cini, Spouter Inn

Staff Photography by Dave Waddell, Down East Magazine