{"id":17300,"date":"2020-01-09T10:20:10","date_gmt":"2020-01-09T15:20:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/?p=17300"},"modified":"2020-05-07T10:28:12","modified_gmt":"2020-05-07T14:28:12","slug":"gourmet-almanac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/gourmet-almanac\/","title":{"rendered":"Gourmet Almanac"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none; width: 100%; height: 326px;\" src=\"\/\/e.issuu.com\/embed.html?d=wg20_flipbook_for_issuu.com&amp;pageNumber=30&amp;u=portlandmagazine\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>From feast to frenzy, Portland\u2019s eateries are like the weather. <\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\"><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\"><b>If you don\u2019t like what you see, just wait a minute.<br \/>\nHere\u2019s a closer look and a calendar\u2014so you can really keep score.<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-17326 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WG20-Foodie-Guide-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"WG20 Foodie Guide\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WG20-Foodie-Guide-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WG20-Foodie-Guide-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WG20-Foodie-Guide-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WG20-Foodie-Guide-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WG20-Foodie-Guide-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WG20-Foodie-Guide.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>If you love change, you\u2019re in the right place. The quickest way to usher it in is to be named the Foodiest City in America\u2014two years ago. Shuttered shockers include <strong>Silly\u2019s<\/strong>, <strong>Brian Boru<\/strong>, <strong>Andy\u2019s Pub<\/strong>, and <strong>Local Sprouts<\/strong>. Despite having been the scene of horrific molestation crimes over three decades ago (and a trend-seeking restoration last year), <strong>Cole Farms<\/strong> in Gray closed its doors after 68 years on January 13. New favorites are popping up just as quickly\u2014<strong>Anoche<\/strong>, <strong>Copper Branch<\/strong>, <strong>Congress Bar &amp; Grill<\/strong>, and <strong>Other Side Diner<\/strong>. <strong>Dos Naciones<\/strong>, Mexican and Salvadoran, fills the space vacated by Local Sprouts. <strong>Via Vecchia<\/strong>, launched by the owners of Blyth &amp; Burrows, welcomes diners at the former Vignola\u2019s. <strong>The Knotted Apron<\/strong> replaces the popular Woodfords neighborhood spot <strong>JP Bistro<\/strong> (now in Falmouth). In surging Biddeford, look for <strong>Magnus on Water<\/strong>, a cocktail bar promising a menu full of locally foraged goods. South Portland crowds into <strong>Judy Gibson<\/strong>, inspired by the former chef de cuisine at Eventide. <strong>Terlingua<\/strong> is moving to the space vacated by Silly\u2019s. In Brunswick, the owners of Portland\u2019s Yobo are opening <strong>Maine Street Steak &amp; Oyster<\/strong>. Here are some musical chairs: <strong>Maria\u2019s<\/strong> to Espo\u2019s, <strong>207 Bar and Restaurant<\/strong> to the former Cumberland Avenue location of Maria\u2019s. What we have here is a frenzy, not a quilt.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">Excitement drives 2020\u2019s special events where time and season are everything, such as lobster, clam and oyster festivals, and strawberry and blueberry celebrations. Some are driven by cultural imperatives\u2014the <strong>Greek Festival<\/strong>, <strong>Italian Bazaar<\/strong>, and Scottish festivals. Still others, like <strong>Harvest on the Harbor<\/strong>, are a big grab at the ocean we share. We hope you\u2019re hungry for action this year, and we hope you enjoy this year\u2019s calendar of culinary attractions!<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">January<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>17\u201320 \/ 24\u201325 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Glacier Ice Bar &amp; Lounge<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sip cocktails at what\u2019s equally the \u201chottest and coolest\u201d bar on the Maine coast at the <\/span>Annual Glacier Ice Bar &amp; Lounge<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the <\/span><strong>Samoset Resort<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It\u2019s the perfect option for a staycation, with bites from Enoteca Wine Bar and live entertainment at La Bella Vita. samosetresort.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>18 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Bar Harbor Winter Beer Fest<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back at <\/span><b>Atlantic Brewing Company<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the festival celebrates regional craft beer, local food, and has winter fun for the whole family. Fire pits and the heated tasting room will offer shelter from the cold, and BLAZE will be there with their mobile food trailer. Visitbarharbor.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>23\u201325 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Portland Harbor Hotel Ice Bar<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pop-up ice bar returns once again at the<\/span> <strong>BlueFin<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> restaurant. With a live DJ, ice sculptures, complimentary food, specialty martinis, and fire pits, why wouldn\u2019t you go? Bluefinportland.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>24\u201326 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Pies on Parade<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dubbed \u201cPie Town USA\u201d by Food Network, <\/span><strong>Rockland<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hosts the 15th annual pie-centric\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">parade in honor of National Pie Day (January 23). Sample more than 50 pies, including savory twists like gourmet pizza pies and seafood pies from local businesses. Ticket sales benefit the AIO Food Pantry. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/historicinnsofrockland.com\/pies-on-parade\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Historicinnsofrockland.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>25 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Portland on Tap<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kick-off the new year at the <\/span><strong>Cross Insurance Arena<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Step it up a notch and go VIP if you want to try over 120 beers from 60 different brewers. Crossarenaportland.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>27 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Portland Food Council Annual Party<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celebrate Portland Food Council and the relaunch of <\/span><strong>Fork Food Lab<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Over drinks and bites, Portland\u2019s foodies can meet Fork and council members and learn more about supporting the local food system. Portlandfoodcouncil.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>30\u2013Feb. 2 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Carnaval Maine<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><strong>Portland\u2019s Eastern Prom<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> becomes a winter wonderland with ice sculptures, illumination art, bonfires, sledding, food pairings, and special igloo soiree events.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">February<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>1 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Chef Summit<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fifth annual Chef Summit at <\/span><strong>Sunday River<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> brings 12 chefs together for a unique evening of world-class food and beverages. It\u2019s the foodiest event of the year on the mountain. Sundayriver.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>7-8 \/ Mar 6-7 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Winter Yurt Dinners<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head to <\/span><strong>Tops&#8217;l Farm<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for an intimate woodland dining experience co-hosted by Morse&#8217;s Sauerkraut. Topslfarm.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>9-16 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>From Maine with Love<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><strong>Allagash\u2019s<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">celebration of all things Maine including a chocolate tasting flight on Feb 15 featuring local chocolatiers paired with special Allagash beers. Allagash.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>14 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Whiskey Chamber Valentine<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoy specialty cocktails and hors d\u2019oeuvre pairings while listening to the \u201cgenre-defying\u201d string quartet Invoke at <\/span><strong>Maine Craft Distilling<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this Valentine\u2019s Day. pcmf.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">15<\/span> <i>Wine \/ Champagne Brunch<br \/>\n<\/i><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An attractive alternative to the crowded evenings, <\/span><strong>Union<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers up a special Saturday brunch featuring sparkling wine pairings and tasty treats. Unionportland.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>15 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Wines &amp; Valentines at The Burleigh<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><strong>The Kennebunkport Inn<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> continues the romantic season with a wine and small-plate tasting. Whether you bring your partner or ride it solo, this event is guaranteed to warm you up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>21-22 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Ice Bar\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head north to the <\/span><strong>Brunswick Hotel and Tavern<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for their annual celebration. Warm up with an assortment of specialty drinks, hors d\u2019oeuvres, outdoor grilling, and live entertainment each night from 5-10 p.m. Thebrunswickhotelandtavern.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>28 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Incredible Breakfast Cook-Off<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kick-off Maine Restaurant Week at <\/span><strong>Sea Dog Brewing Company<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><strong>South Portland<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Taste everything participants have to offer and vote for your favorites as they compete for \u201cMaine\u2019s Best Breakfast.\u201d A portion of the proceeds benefit Preble Street. Mainerestaurantweek.com.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">March<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>1 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Maine Restaurant Week<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2020 marks the 12-year anniversary of Maine Restaurant Week, when practically every\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">restaurant in town offers multi-course menus at fixed prices. It\u2019s the deal of the year, so be sure to grab reservations in January or February. Mainerestaurantweek.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>1 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The Crave Tasting &amp; Competition\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head over to <\/span><strong>Coffee by Design<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2019s<\/strong> roastery to try coffee-infused sweets and treats. Mainerestaurantweek.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>8 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Spirit Quest<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A self-guided walking tour through the<\/span> <strong>Old Port<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and<\/span> <strong>Arts District<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> takes guests on a journey to taste the best cocktails and paired bites the city has to offer.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mainerestaurantweek.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>19 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Annual Spring Equinox Dinner<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spring for this annual event at <\/span><strong>Union <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and savor the creative talents of Executive chef Josh Berry as he seeks out and shares with diners the very best offerings our local farmers have as the welcome season arrives. Unionportland.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>22 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Maine Maple Sunday<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get an up-close glimpse at how Maine maple syrup producers create liquid gold on Maine Maple Sunday\u2014always the fourth Sunday in March at sugarhouses <\/span><strong>all over Maine<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> Bring your sweet tooth! Mainemapleproducers.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>25 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Mardi Gras\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><strong>WMPG<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hosts the twenty-fourth Fat Tuesday party at the <\/span><strong>USM Woodbury Campus Center<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There will be live Acadian and New Orleans music and local restaurants prepare their best Cajun and Creole dishes to be crowned the champion of the Cajun Cookin\u2019 Challenge. Wmpg.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>28 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Maine Brewfest: Spring Session<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a day of skiing and snowboarding on the mountain, switch gears at night at <\/span><strong>Sunday River<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2019s<\/strong> third annual brew festival, highlighting 100 different beers and ciders from 40 local brewers. The event, which kicks off the mountain\u2019s <\/span><strong>Spring Festival Weekend<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, includes plenty to eat and live music to rock out to. Sundayriver.com\/events\/maine-brew-fest<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>28 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Chili Chowder Challenge<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recognized as the biggest and longest-lasting chili and chowder competition in Maine, the nineteenth annual challenge in <\/span><strong>Augusta<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a fun and food-filled family event. Proceeds benefit the Children\u2019s Center. Beyond the main event of tasting the state\u2019s best chili and chowder from local restaurants and caterers, guests can enjoy crafts, a silent auction, and live music. Childrensctr.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>29 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Eat the Heat Chili Cookoff<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warm up with delicious chili at <\/span><strong>Sunday River<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s chili cookoff, where local restaurants vie for the title of the Champion of Chili. There\u2019ll be celebrity judges, and you get a say in the People\u2019s Choice. Sundayriver.com<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">April<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">24<\/span> Seaweed Week<\/strong><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span class=\"s1\">The nation\u2019s first seaweed-focused restaurant week and festival coincides with the <strong>annual kelp harvest. <\/strong>Maine\u2019s top chefs, mixologists, brewers, and distilleries in Portland and beyond put native seagreens front and center on their menus. Through May 2. seaweedweek.org.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">25 <\/span><\/strong><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><strong>Gulf of Maine Seafood Celebration<\/strong><br \/>\nGive a toast to the bounty of the ocean and mingle with marine scientists, local fishermen, and more while tasting an endless array of dishes highlighting the best our waters have to offer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>25 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Chocolate Lover\u2019s Fling<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get your fill of chocolatey goodness at the 2020 Chocolate Lover\u2019s Fling at <\/span><strong>Grace<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> With desserts from Standard Baking Company, the Holy Donut, Izzy\u2019s Cheesecakes and more, there\u2019s no heading home hungry from this annual event.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chocolateloversfling.org<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">May<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>1 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Fiddlehead Season Starts<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once winter\u2019s frost melts away, fiddlehead season begins! Try these furled fronds of young ostrich ferns yourself. Harvested as a vegetable, their taste crosses asparagus, spinach, and mushrooms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>15 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Wine and Beer Tasting<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A wine and beer tasting fundraiser for the <\/span><strong>Maine Children\u2019s Home<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for featuring local Maine breweries and wineries at <\/span><strong>Enchanted Gables<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><strong>Oakland<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Mainechildrenshome.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>23 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Margarita Crawl<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get your nineties on! Nineties themed margarita crawl at multiple venues in <\/span><strong>Bangor<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, featuring the best of the 90\u2019s costumes, music, and souvenir 90\u2019s-themed Margarita Bar Crawl Koozie<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">June<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>2\u20137 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Kennebunkport Festival<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A week-long celebration of area chefs and craft beverage producers and distillers, it\u2019s the perfect way to enjoy the spirit of <\/span><strong>Kennebunkport<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014one unforgettable bite and sip at a time. Kennebunkportfestival.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">6<\/span> <i>Street Eats and Beats<br \/>\n<\/i><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Street Eats and Beats at <\/span><b>Thompson Point<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will wow you out with an impressive array of food trucks, cocktails and drinks, and at least two live bands. Visitportland.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>12 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Ogunquit\u2019s Day in the Park<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The second annual Ogunquit\u2019s Day in the Park includes concerts, vendors, and food trucks. VisitOgunquit.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>15-21 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Portland Wine Week<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wine, food, wicked fun, more wine. Portlandwineweek.me<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">25\u201327<\/span> <i>Greek Festival<br \/>\n<\/i><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 3-day event that draws over 10,000 people each year, the annual Greek Food Festival is a family-friendly <\/span><strong>Portland<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tradition. Come for the spanakopita, lamb souvlaki, and loukoumades\u2014stay for the live music and traditional dancing! Holytrinityportland.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>27 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Maine Whoopie Pie Festival<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fans of Maine\u2019s official state treat will be in seventh heaven at the 2020 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival in <\/span><strong>Dover-Foxcroft.<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The ultimate education on all things \u201cwhoopie.\u201d Mainewhoopiepiefestival.com<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">July<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>8\u201313 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Central Maine Egg Festival<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Truly the event of the year in <\/span><strong>Pittsfield<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the annual Central Maine Egg Festival which celebrates the humble egg in style. You\u2019ll never view eggs the same way again after witnessing the \u201cEgglympics.\u201d Centralmaineeggfestival.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>10\u201312 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Moxie Festival<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Held in <\/span><strong>Lisbon<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> since 1982, the annual Moxie Festival is a Maine tradition like no other. Celebrate the origins of one of the world\u2019s most eccentric beverages with other Moxie lovers from across the country. Did we mention we still love the taste all these years later? Moxiefestival.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>17\u201319 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Yarmouth Clam Festival<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Maine summer tradition ever since 1965, the Yarmouth Clam Festival draws thousands of people each year for live music, arts &amp; crafts and\u2014of course\u2014as many clams as you can put back. Don\u2019t miss the Carnival on the Midway! Clamfestival.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>17\u201319 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Maine Celtic Celebration<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A fitting host city for such a celebration, <\/span><strong>Belfast<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> presents its 14th annual Maine Celtic\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celebration. Music, dancing, and feats of strength mark the occasion, but none compare with the remarkable cheese-rolling championship. Show up and cheer on the cheese-chasers\u2026or the wheel of Dubliner. Mainecelticcelebration.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>18 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Maine Potato Blossom Festival<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit beautiful <\/span><strong>Aroostook County<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this July. Over 100 performances, contests and activities round out what is undoubtedly the state\u2019s biggest homage to the potato, including a\u2026potato blossom pageant? You\u2019ll just have to show up in <\/span><strong>Fort Fairfield<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to see it for yourself. Fortfairfield.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>25 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Wells Harbor-Fest<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lumberman\u2019s challenge, doughnut-eating contest, world championship lobster trap toss, pirate treasure hunt, what could be better? Visitmaine.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>26<\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> Open Farm Day<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grow your sense of connection with Maine farmers on Open Farm Day, which gives families the chance to visit working farmers throughout<\/span> <strong>all 16 Maine counties<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It\u2019s one of the most educational events of the year, with many farms offering plenty of tasty bites of locally grown meats and produce along the way. Maine.gov<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>24\u201325 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Festival of Nations<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps the most culturally diverse event to take place in Maine all year, the Festival of Nations in <\/span><strong>Deering Oaks Park<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is not to be missed. Expect a wide variety of authentic, traditional cuisines from around the world, as well as plenty of live music, dancing and other festivities. Visitportland.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>29\u2013Aug. 4 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Maine Lobster Festival<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lobster lovers have been flocking to <\/span><strong>Rockland<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> since 1947 for the Maine Lobster Festival, complete with cooking contests, carnival rides, and plenty of culinary creations to try. All of the proceeds are donated back to communities in the Midcoast area each year. Mainelobsterfestival.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">Blueberry Season Begins <\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s2\"><br \/>\nLook for local blueberries from <strong>late July through early September.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">August<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>2\u20139 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Allagash Oyster Week<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brewers and oyster farmers from all over Maine explore the art and celebration of pairing oysters and beer at Allagash Brewing Company in <\/span><strong>Portland<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> Allagash.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>8 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Craft Brew Races<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best way to end a 5k? Refueling with a cold one! The Craft Brew Races in <\/span><strong>Portland<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a series of 5k timed races followed by a 3-hour beer tasting from over 30 breweries as well as live music and food trucks. Craftbrewraces.com\/portland\/<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>8 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>South Portland Art in the Park Show<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A\u00a0must-attend event for anyone interested in supporting the local artist economy. With live music and a food court filled with sandwiches and ethnic cuisine, you won\u2019t be leaving hungry. Southportland.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>14\u201316 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Acadian Festival<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celebrate Acadian culture and history at the 42nd annual Acadian Festival in <\/span><strong>Madawaska<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It might be a bit of a drive, but we promise the poutine and \u201cbaby crawling contest\u201d will be worth it. Acadianfestival.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>15 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Maine Highland Games and Scottish Festival\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get your fill of haggis and Scotch whiskey at the 2019 Maine Highland Games and Scottish Festival. Hosted by the <\/span><strong>St. Andrews Society of Maine<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it\u2019s the event of the year for anyone with an interest in Scottish culture. Yes\u2013there will be bagpipes. Mainehighlandgames.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>14-16 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>St. Peter\u2019s Church Annual Italian Bazaar<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Classic Italian food, street games, and tons of family fun characterize the St. Peter\u2019s Church Annual Italian Bazaar. Don\u2019t leave without a sausage sandwich! Italianheritagecenter.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>22 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Sanford on Tap<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sanford celebrates its third Sanford on Tap Event at <\/span><strong>Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with dozens of breweries, cider producers and tantalizing treats from a host of food trucks. Sanfordontap.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">22\u201329<\/span> <\/strong><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Union Fair<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve been looking for a place to try 20 Maine Wineries all at once, look no further. Grab a glass while watching horse racing and get ready to kick back. Mainewineryguild.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>29 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Wells Chili-Fest<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fully sanctioned by the International Chili Society, the Wells Chili-Fest is a serious competition. Contestants will compete in various categories, including chili, chili verde, and salsa. Wellschilifest.com<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">September<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>13 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Maine Cheese Festival<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sample the finest fromage Maine has to offer from over 30 creameries at the Maine Cheese Festival. This year at <\/span><strong>Savage Oaks Vinyard and Winery<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><strong>Union<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this festival is a unique opportunity to meet your local cheese makers, learn more about the process, and taste some of the most complex cheeses in the state. Mainecheeseguild.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>15 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>U-Pick Farms Open<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apple picking in full swing, pumpkin patches and corn mazes open for U-Pick. Visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pickyourown.org\/MEsouth.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pickyourown.org\/MEsouth.htm<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for an updated list of U-Pick farms in <\/span><strong>Southern Maine<\/strong><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>19 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Maine Open Winery Day\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><strong>statewide<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> event dedicated to wineries and their customers. Not only will you taste, but you\u2019ll learn what goes into your favorite adult grape juice. You\u2019re welcome, wine lovers! Mainewineryguild.com.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>25\u201327 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Common Ground Country Fair<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celebrate rural living and organic farming at the Common Ground Country Fair in <\/span><strong>Unity<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Presented by the <\/span><strong>Maine Organic Farming and Gardening Association (MOFGA)<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it\u2019s an excellent chance to enjoy and embrace the bounty of our state\u2014 plus everything is organic and locally grown! mofga.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>26<\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> Billtoberfest\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celebrate the work of head brewer Bill Boguski at <\/span><strong>Foulmouthed Brewing<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2019s<\/strong> annual Oktoberfest event in South Portland. German food, beer, stein-hoisting competitions, and general merriment. Foulmouthedbrewing.com<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">October<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>3 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Chowdah Challenge<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><strong>Freeport<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2019s<\/strong> Chowdah Challenge brings together offerings from area restaurants, all clamoring for first \u201cplate.\u201d With all proceeds benefiting Freeport Community Services programs, it\u2019s a tasty win-win for everyone. Fcsmaine.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>3 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Goods from the Woods<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><strong>Oxbow Brewing Company<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2019s<\/strong> annual celebration features a huge variety of rare beer, gourmet food from some of Portland\u2019s finest chefs, live music, and art. Every attendee is sent home with a commemorative Oxbow glass and two very special bottles of Oxbow beer. Oxbowbeer.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>4\u201311 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Fryeburg Fair\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine&#8217;s Blue Ribbon Classic Agricultural Fair features the best of farming traditions, exhibits, competitions, horse pulls, and racing. Fryeburgfair.org<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>11 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Open Creamery Day<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine creameries statewide open their doors and barns. Taste award-winning cheeses, meet the animals, and take a tour to learn about cheesemaking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>11\u201318 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Allagash Cheese Week\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pair flights, meet local cheese makers and get some first hand experience in the tasty art of pairing beer and cheese. Allagash.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>19 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Saco Pumpkin Harvest Festival<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Come on down to Saco and enjoy delicious treats, bed races, \u201cTrunk or Treat,\u201d and more! SacoMainStreet.org\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>21\u201325 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Harvest on the Harbor<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harvest on the Harbor in <\/span><strong>Portland<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> features a diver and engaging line-up of events highlighting food and drink from Maine\u2019s best chefs and mixologists. Featuring a very happy Happy Hour with the Maine Distillers Guild and an opening night Chef &amp; Farmer event. harvestontheharbor.com<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">November<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>21\u201322 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Maine Harvest Festival<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experience the best of \u201cfarm fresh\u201d at the Cross Insurance center in <\/span><strong>Bangor<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A culmination of brewers, fiber artisans, chefs, and farmers, it\u2019s an ideal way to sample and learn more about the Maine growing season. Maineharvestfestival.com<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>December<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">Scallop Season is in full swing. <\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s1\">Get \u2019em while they\u2019re fresh!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>3\u201313 <\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude spans more than a full week to bring you near endless holiday cheer. Enjoy shopping, dining and plenty of merriness, including Santa on a lobster boat. Christmasprelude.com<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s2\">Is your favorite food celebratory event missing?\u00a0Let us know at editor@portlandmonthly.com.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A preview and inside look at 2020\u2019s culinary news.<br \/>\nBy Diane Hudson<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17325,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17300"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18651,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17300\/revisions\/18651"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}