Maine Bluegrass Festivals, Let the fun begin

Hey there … , the sound man for Nevah. Or as I'm referred to by the band, "hey, can I get a little more vocals in the Monitor, please". I just wanted to send out a friendly word or two as I sit gazing at the rain splashing on the lake while watching the waves of Hurricane Irena trash my dock. During the storm I'm reminded of better days, such as the the time I've spent at Maine Festivals, especially Maine Bluegrass Festivals around the state. From sitting at Blistered Fingers, hearing authentic Maine Bluegrass Festival announcers and traditional Bluegrass bands, to listening to some of the more eclectic Maine Bluegrass bands, such as Nevah, who appeared at the Paul Bunyan Maine Bluegrass Festival.

Here is a partial list of the Maine bluegrass festivals I think you'll enjoy. The people are friendly, food is great, and after your first visit to just one you'll want to make the time to visit all of these Maine Bluegrass Festivals.

Saddleback Mountain Bluegrass Festival
August
Saddleback, Maine
American Folk Festival
August
Bangor, Maine
The County Bluegrass Festival
September
Fort Fairfield, Maine
Blistered Fingers Bluegrass Festival
Sidney, Maine
June/August
Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Festival
Cornish, ME
July
The County Bluegrass Festival
July
Fort Fairfield, Maine
Thomas Point Beach
Brunswick, Maine

While you are here visiting the great state of Maine and trying to attend all the Maine Bluegrass festivals, there are numerous other fairs and events you can stop at during your travels. It seems that in every small town there are people who gather for "A" fun festival, whether it be for Blueberries, Strawberries, Apple picking, Lobsters, Canoeing, a Bicentennial such as Eddington's recent event kicked off by Maine's own Nevah Bluegrass Band, a sprawling Antique Fair or huge Farming events, and that's just the tip of the festival iceberg.

Below is a short list of some of the 400 + great fairs and festivals in Maine.

          • Fort Fairfield, Maine: Can Am Crown Sled Dog Races (March)
          • Fort Fairfield, Maine: Maine Potato Blossom Festival (July)
          • Fort Fairfield, Maine: The County Bluegrass Festival (July)
          • Fort Kent, Maine: Mardi Gras (February)
          • Houlton, Maine: Houlton Agricultural Fair (July)
          • Houlton, Maine: Moosestompers (February)
          • Madawaska, Maine: Acadian Festival (June)
          • Madawaska, Maine: International Snowmobile Festival (February)
          • New Sweden, Maine: Midsommar Festival (June)
          • Presque Isle, Maine: Northern Maine Fair (July-August) Central Region of Maine
          • Athens, Maine: Athens Fair (August)
          • Augusta, Maine: The Whatever Family Festival (June-July)
          • Harmony, Maine: Harmony Fair (August-September)
          • Litchfield, Maine: Litchfield Fair (September)
          • New Portland, Maine: New Portland Lions Fair (September)
          • Pittston, Maine: Pittston Fair (July)
          • Sidney, Maine: Blistered Fingers Bluegrass Festival (June-August)
          • Skowhegan, Maine: Skowhegan State Fair (September)
          • Unity, Maine: Common Ground Fair (September)
          • Waterville, Maine: International Film Festival (July)
          • Windsor, Maine: Windsor Fair (September)

          • Bar Harbor, Maine: Arcady Summer Festival (July-August)
          • Bar Harbor, Maine: Native American Festival (July)
          • Bar Harbor, Maine: Warblers & Wildflower Festival (May)
          • Blue Hill, Maine: Blue Hill Fair (August-September)
          • Blue Hill, Maine: Downeast Antiques Fair (July)
          • Calais, Maine: International Homecoming Festival (July)
          • Deer Isle, Maine: Lupine Festival (June)
          • Deer Isle, Maine: Deer Isle Jazz Festival (July)
          • Eastport, Maine: The Maine Salmon Festival (September)
          • Machias, Maine: Wild Blueberry Festival (August)
          • Pemaquid, Maine: Lobster Boat Races (July-August)
          • Perry, Maine: Passamaquoddy Indian Days Celebration (August)

          • Bangor, Maine: Bangor State Fair (July-August)
          • Bangor, Maine: American Folk Festival (August)
          • Bangor, Maine: Maine Shakespeare Festival (July-August)
          • Clinton, Maine: Clinton Lions Fair (September)
          • Dover-Foxcroft, Maine: Piscataquis Valley Fair (August)
          • Greenville, Maine: International Sea Plane Fly-In (September)
          • Millinocket, Maine: Katahdin Winterfest (February)
          • Millinocket, Maine: The Wooden Canoe Festival (August)
          • Moosehead Lake, Maine: MooseMainea (May-June)
          • Rockwood, Maine: Moose River Canoe Race (May)
          • Belfast, Maine: Arts in the Park (July)
          • Boothbay Harbor, Maine: Fisherman's Festival (April)
          • Boothbay Harbor, Maine: Windjammer Days (June)
          • Brunswick, Maine: Thomas Pt. Beach Bluegrass Festival (August-Sept.)
          • Brunswick, Maine: Bowdoin International Music Festival (August)
          • Rockland, Maine: Maine Lobster Festival (August)
          • Rockland, Maine: North Atlantic Blues Festival (July)
          • Topsham, Maine: Topsham Fair (August)
          • Union, Maine: Union Fair (August)
          • Unity, Maine: Common Ground Fair (September)

          • Bridgton, Maine: Mushers Bowl (February)
          • Cornish, Maine: Cornish Fair (July)
          • Farmington, Maine: Farmington Fair (September)
          • Fryeburg, Maine: Fryeburg Fair (September-October)
          • Lewiston-Auburn, Maine: Festival de Joie (August)
          • Lewiston-Auburn, Maine: Great Falls Balloon Festival (August)
          • Lewiston-Auburn, Maine: Maine State Parade (May)
          • Monmouth, Maine: Monmouth Fair (July-August)
          • North Waterford, Maine: World's Fair (July)
          • Oxford, Maine: Oxford County Fair (September)
          • Lisbon Falls, Maine: Moxie Festival (September)
          • Rangeley, Maine: Snodeo (January)


          • Cumberland, Maine: Cumberland Fair (September)
          • Portland, Maine: MS Regatta Harborfest Weekend (August)
          • Portland, Maine: New Years Portland
          • Portland, Maine: Old Port Festival (June)
          • Portland, Maine: Portland Chamber Music Festival (August)
          • Yarmouth, Maine: Yarmouth Clam Festival (July)


          • Acton, Maine: Acton Fair (August)
          • Biddeford, Maine: La Kermesse (June)
          • Cornish, Maine: Cornish Fair (July)
          • Kennebunk-Kennebunkport, Maine: Christmas Prelude (December)
          • Old Orchard Beach, Maine: Beachfest (June)
          • Old Orchard Beach, Maine: Beach Olympics (August)
          • South Hiram, Maine: Ossipee Valley Fair (July)