Ready or not, the holidays are here. We’re behind already. Here’s a small list of some of the fun to be had in the coming weeks.
Rockland Festival of Lights
This schedule came from the Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce – 207 596 0376 | 800 562 2529
Friday, November 28
12 noon—Santa arrives at Harbor Park’s town landing by U.S. Coast Guard boat and makes his way to his work shop next to the Brass Compass Cafe.
12:30–3pm—Santa will greet children and except letters to the North Pole. (sponsors to be announced)
Saturday, November 29
12 noon–4pm—Carriage Rides by St. George Carriage available. Free to the public. Rides begin at Key Bank on Main Street.
4pm–8pm—$5.00 Lobster Dinners at the Tradewinds Restaurant.
6pm—Tree Lighting Ceremony sponsored by Camden National Bank. Music and refreshments (cookies made by MCST Culinary Dept. & hot cocoa is sponsored by Tim Horton’s) Takes place at Mildred Merrill Park, beside Time Out Pub. See the largest Lobster Trap Tree on the coast with traps made by Brooks Trap Mill and decorated with local fisherman’s buoys.At 6:15 pm, there will be music and ribbon cutting to open Main Street for the shopping season.
‘Til 8pm—Many of downtown Rockland’s great stores will remain open ’til 8pm for your shopping convenience. Pick up your Festival of Lights supplement in the Free Press with the Light Up the Spirit of Giving ballot.
Saturday, Nov. 29
11 a.m.-3 p.m. – The Rockland Shopping Train will arrive at the Rockland Railroad Station at 11 a.m. and take people from Brunswick, Bath and Wiscasset to all the festivities downtown.The train departs at 4:30 p.m. The cost is $40. For more information, call 596-6725.
Noon-8 p.m. – Eat, drink and be merry on Main Street. Spend the day tasting foods found in downtown Rockland’s eateries. There will be prizes up for grabs with the purchase of a raffle ticket. Proceeds will benefit LifeFlight. Tickets are $5 each or six for $25. Participating restaurants and times: See the Festival of Lights supplement for schedule.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Festival of Lights Craft and Gift Market at the Samoset Resort. More than 60 artisans will sell their work. Admission is $3. Free trolley rides will be offered between downtown (Museum Street) Rockland and the Samoset Resort from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
10 a.m.-1 p.m. – Share the Wonder Celebration at the Farnsworth Art Museum. The annual celebration is a day of holiday activities for families, which includes a historic train set, Christmas art and ephemera from the Wyeth family. There will be six planned activities, including ornament making, cookie decorating, presentation of calling cards and story reading in the library. Passports will be issued to children at the front desk that, when stamped at all six locations, can be presented at the Museum Store for a prize.
Noon-3 p.m. – Santa will be at his workshop and open for business (every Saturday until Christmas).
Noon-4 p.m. – Free horse drawn carriage rides at Key Bank (every Saturday until Christmas).
4-8 p.m. – $5 lobster dinners at the Trade Winds Restaurant.
6 p.m. – Festival of Lights Parade. “Light Up the Spirit of Giving.” All floats in the parade will be lit and most will have music. There will be hot cocoa stands along the parade route manned by volunteers. The parade begins at North Main Street (at The Brown Bag) and travels down Main Street-in the wrong direction-and ends at Harbor Park. After the judging and weather permitting, there will be a bonfire. Cocoa sponsored by the Samoset Resort and Dunkin’ Donuts. Bring nonperishable food items to vote for a favorite float. The Salvation Army will collect these items and distribute them to families in need in Knox County.
Sunday, Nov. 30
9-11 a.m. – Pancake breakfast with Santa. The Trade Winds Motor Inn will host this event. People may have their pictures taken with Santa. Admission at the door is $2 for children, $4 for adults.
1-4 p.m. – Historic Inns of Rockland Holiday Open House. Each inn will demonstrate a different aspect of entertaining for a crowd. Demonstratons at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., ending with caroling at the Old Granite Inn. The suggested donation is $10 or bring a coat for the Coats for Kids Campaign.
Limerock Inn
Old Granite Inn
Captain Lindsey House
Berry Manor Inn
Other holiday season events
Dec. 5 and 6 – The Toy Library’s fundraiser “Polar Express Train” will run at 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. from the Rockland Train Station. Purchase tickets in advance for $16; those under 2 years old and on an adult’s lap ride free. Tickets available at Planet Toys, Maine Eastern Railroad and the Toy Library. For more information, call 596-6725.
Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 – Open house at the Victorian Homestead from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. See the Farnsworth family’s house decorated for the holidays in Victorian tradition. Free admission.
Dec. 10, 17 – Candlelight tours of the Victorian Homestead at 5 p.m. Free with reservations. For more information, call 596-6457, ext. 103.
Dec. 13 – Downtown Rockland merchants will host “Making Miracles,” a fundraiser for United Mid-Coast Charities. Bangor Savings Bank will light Main Street with 500 luminaries. Participating businesses will donate a portion of sales (Saturday and Sunday).
Dec. 13 – Gallery Night: Rockland’s downtown art galleries will be open late for holiday shopping. Light refreshments will be served.
Lobster trap tree raffle – 400 tickets available at $50 each (200 new lobster traps valued at more than $10,000). This year there will be two winners of 100 traps each. Drawing is Dec. 26. Tickets can be purchased at Brooks Trap in Thomaston, Hamilton Marine in Rockland, Camden National Bank in Rockland, and the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds benefit the Rockland Downtown Alliance, promoting a sense of community for Rockland citizens.
Lots more:
- Events on The Maine Tourism site.
- Events on The Maine Events site
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