BUCKSPORT — Meeting change head on after the loss of the Verso Paper Mill, Bucksport announced that it has positioned itself as a venue for art, music, dance, theater and more through the creation of several new summer activities. In addition to named sponsors of events, people and businesses from Bucksport and surrounding towns are contributing time, money and effort to the cause, from community cleanup and beautification volunteers to sponsors for weekly movies at The Alamo Theatre.
These events are planned:
- The Wednesday on Main program is a new event series in Bucksport. Live events on Bucksport’s Main Street every Wednesday through August will bring entertainment, including Gypsy jazz, blues and bluegrass, thought provoking films, and a talk given by Bangor Daily News cartoonist George Danby 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, Rosen’s Building, 72 Main St. The series will offer something for every age group. Sponsors are Camden National Bank, Bangor Savings Bank and the town of Bucksport. The full schedule is at bucksportwom.com.
- The first Bucksport Arts Festival 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, on the waterfront walkway along Main Street. Artists and craftspeople will line the waterfront, framed by views of Penobscot Bay, Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Bridge. A local bluegrass band, Original Condition, will perform for the crowds and food vendors, including The Good Kettle and Uproot Pie Co. will be on hand. Some space is still available for artists for a modest entry fee. Artists who wish to participate may apply at bacasmaine.org until registration is full, or until the end of July. Artists already registered include Renee Lammers, Sandy Dolan, Charlie Widdis Photography, Teddi-Jann Covell, Katy Allgeyer, Tom Hussey, Linda Stearns, Kay Carter, Buzy Bz Studio,
Carolyn and Clyde Folsom, Mary Banfield, Kathleen Farnsworth, Page Eastman Photography,
Penobscot Pyrographics, Reclaimed Maine, Argyle Iron Works, Anne Buck Davis, Allison
Harrell, Sojourn Curiosities, Patchwork Clay, Storyteller Moon, Blueberry Bay Beads and 3
Legged Dog Ink. George MacLeod, proprietor of MacLeod’s Restaurant, is the lead sponsor for the festival. WLBZ2 is a sustaining partner with Lyndsey Marston, organizer of the Arts Festival, lending promotional and advertising power to the event. Wahl’s Dairy Port also is a sponsor. For information go to bacasmaine.org/bucksportartsfestival.html.
- The Bucksport Bay Area Festival on the Waterfront will take place Friday through Sunday, July 24-25. This annual event presented by the Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce since the late 1990s features vendors, food, rides and entertainment for children, music and more, attracting thousands every year. For a schedule of events go to bucksportbaychamber.com.
- The Bucksport Area Cultural Arts Society will be offer a schedule of events during the summer at the Bucksport Performing Arts Center, the town’s 450-seat, air conditioned auditorium adjacent to the Bucksport Middle School. The facility will showcase a variety of professional performers, from ballet to jazz to Kid’s Camp, including a concert by internationally acclaimed pianist Daniel Epstein. Free, modest admission or suggested donations ensure all can enjoy the shows. The full schedule can be found at bacasmaine.org.
• The Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium. Bucksport is the recipient of a sculpture, “Before The Wind,” crafted by Maine artist Matt Foster, through the Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium program. Situated on Flag Point on the waterfront walkway, the sculpture was executed by the sculptor especially for the location. Take the Sculpture Tour, starting with number one on the tour map, Bucksport, and continue along to points north and Canada. For iofrmation, go to.schoodicsculpture.org.