38 p o r t l a n d monthly magazine Festivals courtesy photo Harpswell Lobster Boat Races,Potts Harbor, Harpswell.They are best watched by water,and will feature 31 race classes with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finish,Jul.29.798-1725. Heritage Day, Clubhouse, Old Skiway Rd., Oquossoc. Fly-casting competition, game meals,interactive exhibits,kids’ activities,and ecology education,Aug.7. 864-2485. Piscataquis River Fes- tival,Guilford.This year’s theme is “Up the Creek” and will feature a parade, food and craft vendors,live music,and fireworks,Jul. 28. 876-2202. Punkinfiddle Family Festival and National Es- tuaries Day Celebration, 342 Laudholm Farm Rd., Wells.Live music,traditional arts demonstrations,sheep- dogs,and farm animals gather to celebrate the beauty and value of Maine’s estuaries,and to foster environmental stewardship, Sep.29.646-1555. Skowhegan River Fest, 93B Water St. An- nual event that celebrates recreation and life on the Kennebec, including a chicken barbecue, classic car cruise-in, bed races, craft fair, lobster bake, raft rides, fireworks and more, Aug. 1-5. 612-2571. Summerfest,Wiscasset Common. Live music,crafts, dog show and parade, food,and community en- joyment of high summer,to benefit local charities,Jul. 28.882-7544. Tough Mountain, Sunday River Resort,15 South Ridge Rd.,Newry.An adventure obstacle 5k race with both natural and man- made challenges for kids and adults.Big Ass Bash event pre-party kicks off the event,Jul.27-29.(800) 543.2754 Camden Windjammer Festival,Camden water- front. Celebration of mari- time heritage and traditions including exhibits,food, fireworks,lobster crate racing,and educational seafaring stories. Cruis- ing schooners are open for tours,or take a smaller schooner out on the water for a sail,Aug.31-Sep.1. 236-3438. Crown of Maine Balloon Fest,84 Mechanic St., Presque Isle.Balloon rides, balloon flights,meet the crews and captains,crafts, and entertainment,Aug. 21-26.crownofmainebal- loonfest.org. Lobsterman Triathlon, Freeport.One of the top triathlons in the country, this Olympic-distance “destination race” includes a post-race lobster bake, Sep.8.603-290-2222. Logging Festival,221 Stratton Rd., Rangeley.The festival includes artists and crafters,children’s activities, Lumberjack and Lumberjill competitions,cloggers, live music,refreshments,a traditional “Bean-Hole” din- ner,and more,Jul.27-28. 864-3939. New England Couples Golf Championship, Bethel Inn Resort,21 Broad St.,Bethel. Now in it’s 18th year,a fun-filled weekend where couples around New England compete in a light-hearted two day golf tournament,Jul.27-29. (800) 654-0125. MS Regatta & Harbor- fest,Portland waterfront. A weekend festival with sailboats,power boats, tugboats,and lobster boats to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, including a regatta,racing, and an auction,Aug.17-19. nationalmssociety.org. Woodlawn Croquet Mini Lobster Tournament, Woodlawn Museum,19 Black House Dr.,Ellsworth. Open to all USCA mem- bers and is a 6 Wicket Singles USCA sanctioned tournament,spectators are welcome,Sep.5-9. 667-8671. Learning Festivals Acadia Night Sky Festi- val,various locations in Bar Harbor.Night hikes,pad- dling in a bioluminescent bay,science presentations, and themed movies in this 10th annual celebration of the starlit skies of Downeast Maine, Sep.5-9.801-2566. Antique Auto Days, Freeport summer concerts are rocking the L.L. Bean park, and Americana kings Old Crow Medicine Show (July 21), singer-songwriter Passenger (Ju- ly 28), and The Revivalists (August 4) are all gearing up to take the stage. The free concerts, paired with a few rounds at Maine Brewing Company or Grit- ty McDuff’s, make for a hot summer night, but a show from the The Fray (September 1) is the perfect chaser this season. We caught up with lead sing- er Isaac Slade to make sure he won’t be skipping any Maine musts on this visit. WhatdoyouthinkofMaine? We’ve played here a handful of times. All I remember is that it’s beautiful, we ate a bunch of lobster rolls, and ran outside somewhere. Well,that’sprettymuchwhatwedouphere. Ha! Okay, good. Youdolikelobster? I like it enough that I read about the history and really nerded out. AnypersonalMaineconnections? My grandma lived here for 15 years when I was a little kid, so I’ve al- ways heard stories about Maine. We opened for Weezer up here in 2005 [at the Colisee in Lewiston]. We have this song called “You Found Me.” I was up the hill while Weezer was soundcheck- ing, and that’s where I wrote the lyr- ic [“I found God on the corner of First and Amistad”] for one of our biggest songs. It’s not a real street, but that’s where I wrote it. Whichoneofyourhitsmostsurprisedyou? We sent “Over My Head” to the local radio station… I was so sure they weren’t going to play it, and they played it at like 9:15 at night. We all listened to it in my mom’s minivan. Three days later, they kept getting so many requests they called and put it into ‘power ro- tation.’ That’s reserved for huge artists and bands. It started taking off. YouguysarefromDenver,whichseemslikeitwouldpairwellwiththe lifestyle,culture,andpeopleofMaine.Anyadvicetocreativeswantingto ‘makeitbig’livingincitiesthataren’tNewYorkorL.A.? You know, I think motive is really important, and that gets overlooked. Everyone thinks your motives are to “make it.” When that’s your only goal, you end up burning out or you do make it at any cost and scoop out who you really are to do it. Hash out why you’re doing it. Thefreesummerconcertsbringalotofpeopleouttoseeshowsthey mightnotnormallygetto.Whatcantheylookforwardtowhenyouplay inSeptember? We’ve always tried to make music that people of all different ages and walks of life can connect to. I grew up with a religious background and music that applied to one out of 10 people. That was so limiting. I wanted to write music that of 10 people at a coffee shop, at least seven could listen to. We’ve welded that into the struc- ture of the band. DoyouhavesometimeinMaineaftertheshow? My wife and I bought a school bus, and we’re convert- ing it into a family RV. If it’s done in time… YouhavetodrivetoAcadia! That’s the plan. Look for the school bus! VolumeUp! Interview by Olivia gunn kotsishevskaya TheFray September 1