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A note from the editor

October showed up right on time, and Bangor is ready for it.

Tonight is the last First Friday Art Walk of the year. Tomorrow, more than 75 Maine artists fill the downtown streets for the Fall Sidewalk Art Festival, while a few hundred very good dogs take over the waterfront for Paws on Parade. And all weekend, the Cross Insurance Center belongs to the costume crowd at Queen City Expo.

This week's Who to Know is the woman behind one of the quietest success stories in town. The shelter on Mount Hope Avenue used to see thousands more animals than it does now, and far fewer of them made it home. That changed. She's a big reason why.

Also: early voting opens Monday. Our free voter guide is ready when you are.

See you around town.

Ken, the editor

🏡 THIS WEEKEND IN BANGOR

Friday, October 2

  • First Friday Art Walk 🎨 ⚑ Time: ⚑ Not listed. Confirm before publishing. Venue: Downtown Bangor The last art walk of 2026. Local artists set up in shops and galleries all over downtown. Run by volunteers with the Bangor Art Society and dozens of local businesses.

  • Queen City Expo 2026 Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Venue: Cross Insurance Center Three days of geek fun kick off tonight. Celebrity guests, voice actors, artists, vendors, panels, and photo ops. Runs through Sunday.

  • On Golden Pond 🎭 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Venue: Penobscot Theatre Company, Bangor Opera House Norman and Ethel Thayer just want a quiet summer on a Maine lake. Then their daughter shows up. Shows also run Saturday night and a Sunday matinee at 3.

Saturday, October 3

  • Fall Sidewalk Art Festival 🎨 Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Venue: Downtown Bangor More than 75 juried Maine artists and crafters, plus live music and food trucks, all over downtown. It's part of Maine Craft Weekend, so bring a list for holiday gifts.

  • Paws on Parade Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Venue: Bangor Waterfront The Bangor Humane Society's 33rd annual dog walk is back on the waterfront. Vendors, food trucks, prizes, and dogs everywhere you look. It's the shelter's biggest fundraiser of the year.

  • Queen City Expo 2026 Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Venue: Cross Insurance Center The big day. Plan for crowds and wear the costume.

  • Pet Blessing ⚑ Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Venue: ⚑ Not listed. Confirm before publishing. A drop-in blessing for St. Francis Day. Furry, feathered, scaly, and gilled friends all welcome. Leashes or carriers required.

Sunday, October 4

  • Pound the Pavement 5K Color Fun Run & Walk 🏃 ⚑ Time: 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM Venue: ⚑ Not listed. Confirm before publishing. The 14th annual color run raises money for people affected by cancer. Every kilometer, you get blasted with a new color. Wear white. Don't wear anything you love.

  • Bangor Fall Ritual Market Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Venue: Bangor Waterfront Park The Ritual Market's first-ever stop in Bangor. More than 45 vendors set up on the grass by the river.

  • Ghostly Bangor Walking Tour 🎭 Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Venue: Downtown Bangor The Bangor Historical Society walks you through 90 minutes of unsolved mysteries and old murders. Tickets are $12 and you must buy ahead. Tours cap at 25 and sell out.

Early voting starts Monday. If you want to skip the Election Day line, this is your window.

Twelve people are running for three open seats on the Bangor City Council. That's a lot of names. Our free guide has every candidate and where they stand. No paywall, no spin.

Read the Queen City Weekly 2026 Voter Guide

Who's running: Adam Baker, Anthony Cote, Katherine Devine, Terry Dinkins, Michael Furrow, James Gallagher, John King, Joe Leonard, Jennifer Maskala, Dawson Nevells, Joseph Pratt and Andrei Yermakov.

Dates to know: October 5: Early voting by absentee ballot begins. October 29: Last day to request an absentee ballot or vote early. November 3: Election Day. Polls are open 7 AM to 8 PM at the Cross Insurance Center, 515 Main Street. All Bangor voters cast their ballots there.

Not registered yet? Maine allows same-day voter registration. Questions? Call the City Clerk & Treasury Office at 207-992-4220.

Queen City Weekly Event Listing

Friday, October 2 – Thursday, October 8, 2026

🗓️

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Now Booking Corporate Holiday Parties

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

  • Coffee & Conversation Time: 9:30 AM-10:30 AM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Atrium Free coffee, snacks, and easy talk with your neighbors. Conversation starters provided if you want them.

  • ASM Book Club Time: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM | Venue: TBD A welcoming book club for autistic adults, mostly reading books by autistic authors. Meets the first Friday of every month.

  • Tech Tutoring Time: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Computer Lab Book a free one-hour session with the library's digital media librarian. Bring your email mess, your pop-ups, your questions.

  • Pole Conditioning 💪 Time: 10:00 AM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Build the strength that makes the pretty moves possible. $15.

  • Queen City Expo 2026 Time: 4:00 PM-8:00 PM | Venue: Cross Insurance Center, 515 Main St. Three days of pure geek fun kicks off tonight. Celebrity guests, voice actors, artists, panels, and photo ops.

  • First Friday Art Walk 🎨 Time: Evening | Venue: Downtown Bangor The last Art Walk of 2026. Stops include Red Rabbit Bazaar, The Emporium, Poplin, Dream Charm Bar, The Rock and Art Shop, FinePrints, Oh, Grow Up!, Rhe of Sunshine, and the Zillman Art Museum.

  • Nervous System Reset: Sound Healing for Stress Relief Time: 6:00 PM-7:30 PM | Venue: Thriving Proof, 33 Penn Plz. Ninety minutes of breathwork, meditation, gongs, and singing bowls to close out the week. $40, only 12 spots, and doors close right at 6.

  • Beginner Pole 💫 Time: 6:30 PM-7:30 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Never touched a pole? This is your class. $15.

  • On Golden Pond 🎭 Time: 7:00 PM-9:30 PM | Venue: Penobscot Theatre Company, 131 Main St. Norman and Ethel just want one more quiet summer at the lake. Then their daughter shows up with a request.

  • Korean Swordsmanship Beginners Class 🥋 Time: 7:30 PM-8:30 PM | Venue: Kishintaikan Dojo, 88 Central St. Haidong Gumdo is a sword art with roots in Korea's Three Kingdoms era. Gear is provided and your first class is free.

  • Lyra Tips and Tricks 💫 Time: 7:30 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. New shapes and moves on the aerial hoop. $15.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

  • Bangor's European Market Time: 8:30 AM-12:30 PM | Venue: Ingrid's German Gift Shop, 117 Buck St. Ingrid's weekly spread of meats, seafood, produce, fresh bread, and gifts from near and far.

  • Fall Foliage 5K Trail Run 🏃 Time: 9:00 AM-10:30 AM | Venue: Fields Pond Audubon Center, 216 Fields Pond Rd., Holden A tough, gorgeous loop through the woods at peak color. Free kids' fun run at 10:30.

  • Fall Sidewalk Art Festival 🎨 Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM | Venue: Downtown Bangor More than 75 Maine artists fill the streets for Maine Craft Weekend, with live music and food trucks. Bring a tote bag.

  • Woodcarving Show 🎨 Time: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM | Venue: First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St. The Maine Wood Carvers Association hosts a show and competition for carvers of every skill level. This year's theme is songbirds.

  • 2026 Maine Interpreter Professional Day Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St. A full day for interpreters to sharpen their skills, hosted by Bangor Chinese School and Northern Maine ASL Interpreter Services Center.

  • Queen City Expo 2026 Time: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM | Venue: Cross Insurance Center, 515 Main St. Day two of the con. Cosplay strongly encouraged.

  • Paws on Parade Time: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Waterfront Bangor Humane Society's 33rd annual walk and biggest fundraiser of the year. Vendors, food trucks, prizes, and dogs everywhere you look.

  • Winterport Memorial Library Fall Festival Time: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM | Venue: Winterport Memorial Library, 229 Main St., Winterport Chili cook-off, a cider press, music, games, and baked treats. Kids' games are free.

  • Living History Days Time: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM | Venue: Maine Forest & Logging Museum, 262 Government Rd., Bradley Reenactors, blacksmiths, wagon rides, working sawmills, and bean hole beans at Leonard's Mills. $10 adults, $5 kids.

  • Saturday Story Stop Time: 11:00 AM-11:30 AM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Story Room Books, songs, and games for ages 3 to 6. A great warm-up for kindergarten.

  • Grow Clean, Eat Well: Tower Garden Workshop Time: 11:00 AM-2:00 PM | Venue: Thriving Proof, 33 Penn Plz., Suite C Learn how to grow fresh greens indoors all winter, no dirt required. Free, but seats are limited, so register at l.bttr.to/Ck9gs.

  • Pound the Pavement Packet Pickup 🏃 Time: 12:00 PM-2:00 PM | Venue: Sea Dog Brewing Company, 26 Front St. Running tomorrow's color run? Grab your packet today.

  • Pet Blessing Time: 1:00 PM-3:00 PM | Venue: St. John's Episcopal Church, 225 French St. A St. Francis Day blessing for every furry, feathered, scaly, and finned friend. Drop in anytime, leashes or carriers required.

  • Matinee Saturday Time: 2:30 PM-4:30 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Teen Study Room B A movie and popcorn for grades 6 to 12. Teens vote on the pick.

  • Bean Supper Time: 4:30 PM-5:30 PM | Venue: East Orrington Congregational Church, 38 Johnson Mill Rd., Orrington Baked beans, hot dogs, casseroles, and dessert. $12 adults, $5 kids, takeout available.

  • Ham Harvest Supper Time: 5:00 PM-6:30 PM | Venue: Holden Congregational Church-UCC, 9 Rider Bluff Rd., Holden The church's annual harvest supper. Come hungry.

  • Liberty & Legacy: BHS Annual Awards Night Time: 6:00 PM-9:00 PM | Venue: Penobscot Valley Country Club, 366 Main St., Orono The Bangor Historical Society honors people who shaped our community, with a nod to America's 250th.

  • On Golden Pond 🎭 Time: 7:00 PM-9:30 PM | Venue: Penobscot Theatre Company, 131 Main St. The play behind the Oscar-winning film. A warm, funny story about family and a lake in Maine.

  • They Live: Movie Night Time: 7:00 PM-9:30 PM | Venue: The Emporium, 51 Main St. John Carpenter's 1988 cult classic in The Emporium's Purple Room. Free, but seats are limited.

  • Comedian Bob Marley Time: 8:00 PM-10:00 PM | Venue: Collins Center for the Arts, Orono Maine's favorite storyteller comic is back with fresh material about family, work, and life up here. $45.50, mature content.

  • Noah & Eli Smith 🎤 Time: 8:00 PM-11:00 PM | Venue: Sound Stage Lounge, Hollywood Casino Live tunes to cap off a very full Saturday.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

  • Pound the Pavement 5K Color Fun Run/Walk 🏃 Time: 8:00 AM-12:30 PM | Venue: Sea Dog Brewing Company, 26 Front St. Start in white, finish covered in color. The 14th annual run supports Purple Iris Foundation's work with Mainers living with cancer.

  • Sunday All-Levels Vinyasa Yoga 💪 Time: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM | Venue: Wellness Works of Maine, 9 Central St. A balanced flow for brand-new and seasoned yogis alike. $18 drop-in, or three classes for $40 if you're new.

  • Fall Ritual Market Time: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Waterfront Ritual's first-ever Bangor market brings 45+ vendors with candles, stained glass, oddities, plants, and spooky goods. Free entry, with Bowlicious and a dirty soda shack on site.

  • Queen City Expo 2026 Time: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM | Venue: Cross Insurance Center, 515 Main St. Last day to catch the guests and hit the vendor floor.

  • Living History Days Time: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM | Venue: Maine Forest & Logging Museum, 262 Government Rd., Bradley Day two at Leonard's Mills. Rain or shine.

  • Fly Pole and Beginner Pole 💫 Time: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Pick your level: spin and fly, or start from the ground up. $15.

  • Theater and Intro to Pole 💫 Time: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Stage skills or your very first pole class. $15.

  • Lyra Hoop and Intro to Pole 💫 Time: 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Hang out in the hoop or keep building on the pole. $15.

  • Intro to Intermediate Pole and Circus Troupe Training 💫 Time: 2:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Level up your pole work, or train with the circus troupe.

  • Sunday Community Jam 🎤 Time: 2:00 PM-5:00 PM | Venue: 2 Feet Brewing Bring an instrument, pull up a chair, and play. Nobody needs an invitation.

  • Tarot Card & Intuitive Readings Time: 2:00 PM-4:00 PM | Venue: Red Rabbit Bazaar, 54 Columbia St. First Sunday readings at Red Rabbit. Perfect timing for spooky season.

  • Circus Fitness 💫 Time: 3:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Aerials, tumbling, and more. Run away and join the circus for an hour. $15.

  • On Golden Pond 🎭 Time: 3:00 PM-5:30 PM | Venue: Penobscot Theatre Company, 131 Main St. Sunday matinee of this tender, funny family story.

  • Ghostly Bangor Walking Tour Time: 7:00 PM-8:30 PM | Venue: Thomas A. Hill House, 159 Union St. The Bangor Historical Society leads 90 minutes of murder, mystery, and lingering energies. $12, capped at 25, and tickets must be bought by noon.

  • A Para-Talk by Frankie O'Sullivan Time: 7:00 PM-8:30 PM | Venue: The Emporium, 51 Main St. A paranormal investigator with 40 years of cases and ties to the Warren Foundation shares his stories.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5

Bangor Public Library is closed today.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6

  • Ladies Breakfast with Glad Tidings Time: 9:00 AM-10:30 AM | Venue: Husson Dining Center, 1 College Cir. A full breakfast for $8, plus laughter and new friends. All women welcome, every Tuesday.

  • AARP Tax Aide Drop-In Clinic Time: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Norman Minsky Lecture Hall File your 2025 Maine taxes by October 15 and eligible residents can get a $300 Maine Affordability Payment. Free, first come first served; bring photo ID, your Social Security card, and income documents.

  • Bouncing Baby Story Time Time: 10:15 AM-10:35 AM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Story Room Songs, rhymes, and bouncing for babies up to 24 months.

  • Tiny Tots Storytime Time: 11:00 AM-11:30 AM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Story Room Stories, songs, and finger plays for ages 2 to 4.

  • Lit Chicks Book Club Time: 2:00 PM-3:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library A monthly book group for fans of literary and contemporary fiction with a feminine bent.

  • Tech Club Time: 3:30 PM-4:15 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library Kids in grades 3 to 5 build their own video games with Bloxels. Limited to 15, so call 947-8336 ext. 111.

  • Teen Craft and Chat Time: 4:00 PM-5:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Teen Lounge Crafts and hanging out for grades 6 to 12. Bring your own project if you like.

  • Toast to Tourism Time: 4:00 PM-6:00 PM | Venue: Downtown Bangor Partnership Office, 33 State St. The Maine Tourism Association hosts an afternoon of networking with a free champagne toast.

  • Songwriters' Open Mic 🎤 Time: 5:00 PM-8:00 PM | Venue: 2 Feet Brewing Each songwriter gets 15 minutes. Bring your originals.

  • Pole Conditioning 💪 Time: 6:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Strength and control for every level. $15.

  • Tuesday Live Irish Sessions & Open Mic 🎤 Time: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM jam, open mic 9:00 PM-close | Venue: Paddy Murphy's Fiddles and pints early, open mic late.

  • Beginner Pole 💫 Time: 7:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Start right here. $15.

  • Ghostly Bangor Walking Tour Time: 7:00 PM-8:30 PM | Venue: Thomas A. Hill House, 159 Union St. Another chance to hear the Queen City's spookiest tales. Book ahead.

  • Book Talk & Signing: Eleanor Morse Time: 7:00 PM-8:00 PM | Venue: The Briar Patch, 27 Central St. Maine author Eleanor Morse talks with Robert Diamante about her new novel, This Foreign Land.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7

  • Bouncing Baby Story Time Time: 10:15 AM-10:35 AM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Story Room Rhymes and bounces for the littlest readers.

  • Tiny Tots Storytime Time: 11:00 AM-11:30 AM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Story Room A half hour of stories and songs for ages 2 to 4.

  • Tech Tutoring Time: 2:00 PM-5:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Computer Lab Free one-on-one help with your computer questions, by appointment.

  • Teen Dungeons and Dragons Club Time: 4:00 PM-5:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Teen Study Room A Barbarians, rangers, and warlocks wanted, grades 6 to 12. Brand-new players get a learners' campaign.

  • Beginner Pole Dance 💫 Time: 4:00 PM-5:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. An after-work spin for first-timers. $15.

  • Serving Up Thanks in Bangor Time: 4:00 PM-6:30 PM | Venue: 2 State St., next to Empeople Credit Union Free wood-fired pizza from Brick and Embers at this member appreciation party.

  • Stitch 'n B*tch Time: 4:00 PM-6:00 PM | Venue: Red Rabbit Bazaar, 54 Columbia St. Learn to sew and mend with good company. Every Wednesday.

  • Monthly Gardening Party 🐦 Time: 5:00 PM-6:00 PM | Venue: Welcome to Bangor sign, 1068 Union St. Bangor Beautiful tidies up one of its pollinator gardens. Pitch in for an hour, and enjoy seltzer and mocktails.

  • Intermediate Pole Dance 💫 Time: 5:30 PM-6:30 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Combos, climbs, and flow for dancers ready for more. $15 and up.

  • Queen City/Creative Arts Center Chess Club ♟️ Time: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM | Venue: Creative Arts Center, 54 Wilson St., Brewer Open to all skill levels, every Wednesday night. Pull up a chair and make your move.

  • Beginner Burlesque 💫 Time: 7:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Sass, struts, and a whole lot of confidence. $15.

  • Kickboxing & Martial Arts Fitness 🥋 Time: 7:00 PM-8:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. A midweek workout with some punch. $10 and up.

  • Hoppily Ever After Romance Book Club Time: 7:30 PM-8:30 PM | Venue: The Briar Patch, 27 Central St. This month: In Stormy Weather, a rivals-to-lovers romance between storm-chasing meteorologists.

  • Lyra Tips and Tricks 💫 Time: 8:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Fresh tricks for the aerial hoop. $15.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8

  • Next Chapter Book Club Time: 2:00 PM-3:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library A book club for teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Reading is optional, fun is not.

  • Stroke Support Group Time: 4:00 PM-5:00 PM | Venue: Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, 489 State St. For stroke survivors, caregivers, and families. Meets in the Cardiac Rehab Kitchen; enter through the Vascular Care door on Level 2 of the parking garage, or join online by Zoom.

  • ARTober Arts Awards and Reception 🎨 Time: 5:00 PM-7:00 PM | Venue: The Stage Door, 115 Main St. Find out who wins the 2026 Bangor Arts Award and its $1,000 prize. Free, with performances, snacks, and a cash bar.

  • ASL Social Hour Time: 5:30 PM-7:30 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Board Room ASL games and good company, every second Thursday.

  • Meet the Artists 🎨 Time: 6:00 PM-7:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Norman Minsky Lecture Hall Meet Kassie Stanley, Nadine Bos, Daryne Rockett, and the AIGA Maine Poster Show crew, whose work hangs in the library through November.

  • Beginner Pole Flow 💫 Time: 6:00 PM-7:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Link your moves into a smooth routine. $15.

  • Bangor Pub Run 🏃 Time: 6:30 PM-8:00 PM | Venue: Paddy Murphy's Run 3 to 5 miles, then grab a drink somewhere downtown. Walk part of it if you need to, nobody minds.

  • Pole Clinic 💫 Time: 7:00 PM-8:00 PM | Venue: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness, 128 Main St. Bring the move that's bugging you and get it sorted. $15.

  • Trivia Night at Nocturnem Draft Haus 🍺 Time: 7:00 PM-9:30 PM | Venue: Nocturnem Draft Haus Weekly prizes and a deep beer list.

  • GREY HOUSE 🎭 Time: 7:00 PM-9:00 PM | Venue: Some Theatre Company, 663 Stillwater Ave. Two travelers stranded in a snowstorm find a strange household that seems to have been waiting for them. A horror play for mature audiences, with an optional cast talkback after each show.

  • Karaoke at Penobscot Pour House 🎤 Time: 8:00 PM-11:55 PM | Venue: Penobscot Pour House DJ Mad Kat is back behind the board. Pick your song.

CITY HALL & PUBLIC MEETINGS October 2-8, 2026 | All meetings open to the public Agendas posted the Friday before at bangormaine.gov/AgendaCenter. Times subject to change.

No City Council meeting this week. City offices close Monday, October 12, for Indigenous Peoples' Day, so the next City Council Meeting moves to Wednesday, October 14, at 7:00 PM (workshop at 5:15 PM), also livestreamed at youtube.com/@cityofbangor.

October showed up this week like it owns the place. The maples on Essex Street are turning, the porches have pumpkins, and somebody on my street already has a twelve-foot skeleton in the yard.

This Friday is the last First Friday Art Walk of the year. If you've been meaning to go, this is your night. Wander down Central Street, pop into Red Rabbit, say hi to the artists, and get one more good look at downtown with the lights on.

On Sunday the Ritual Market sets up on the waterfront for the very first time, a few hundred yards from where thousands of runners will be covered head to toe in colored powder. That's a Bangor Sunday I can get behind.

Then on Wednesday night the people who want to run our city and our schools will be at City Hall answering questions. Go listen. It's free, it's close, and you'll vote better for it.

One season packs up, another one moves in. Grab a jacket and get out there.

See you around town,

the editor

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Location - Bangor Waterfront

Ca C'est Bon Cajun Food Truck

Wild Cow Creamery

Salt & Cedar Kitchen

The Thai Lotus

Location - The Furniture Gallery

  • Friday, October 2 - Rizza’s Kitchen, Del’s Lemonade

  • Monday, October 5- Rizza’s Kitchen, Del’s Lemonade

  • Tuesday, October 6 - Mainely Taco

  • Wednesday, October 7 - Brick & Embers

  • Thursday, October 8 - Mainely Taco, Del’s Lemonade

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Chimera Coffee 24 Broad St., West Market Square

Here's your weekend plan. Walk the art festival Saturday morning. Get cold. Duck into Chimera.

Chimera sits right in West Market Square, the middle of everything happening downtown this weekend. It's small and cozy, with a big chimera painted on the wall and the kind of staff who learn your order by the second visit.

The house coffee is the Chimera blend, a mix of Ethiopian and Brazilian beans roasted just across the river in Brewer. Get it as a plain drip and you'll see why the regulars don't bother with anything else. The chai has its own fan club too.

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The shop is run by Wayne Johnson and Aaron Parker, two former managers who bought the place because they always wanted a coffee shop of their own. One thing sets it apart from most cafés in town: it stays open into the evening. That makes it a rare downtown hangout where you don't have to drink to hang out.

The move this week: Grab a cup before you hit the Art Walk tonight, or warm up between booths on Saturday. Then come back Monday at 7 for trivia with Sir_Quizzalot. Beer, wine, espresso, and snacks.

Suzan Prendergast Executive Director, Bangor Humane Society (Revisit)

About 15 years ago, the Bangor Humane Society took in more than 7,000 animals a year. Nearly half of them never left.

Suzan Prendergast decided that wasn't good enough.

She joined the shelter's board of directors around 2008 and soon took over as executive director. Under her watch, the work shifted from managing crowds of animals to keeping them out of the shelter in the first place. More spay and neuter. More fosters. More partners. More adoptions. By 2021, the shelter reported a live release rate of 98%.

Today, the shelter on Mount Hope Avenue sees about 2,000 dogs, cats, and small animals a year. Far fewer come in. Almost all of them go home.

It's worth remembering how old this work is in Bangor. The Bangor Humane Society was founded in 1869, back when the logging boom left animals and children behind as workers moved on. It was one of the first humane societies in Maine.

Saturday is Suzan's biggest day of the year. Paws on Parade is back on the waterfront, and the goal is $120,000 to care for the animals who come through the doors. You don't have to own a dog to show up. You just have to like them.

Say hi: Paws on Parade, Saturday, 10 AM to 1 PM, Bangor Waterfront. Or stop by the shelter at 693 Mount Hope Ave.

Bangor's newest shop has an NBA Rookie of the Year behind the register

Cooper Flagg grew up 30 minutes away in Newport. Now he owns a store on Main Street.

Flagg and his cousin Tyler opened Flagg Trading Co. at 35 Main Street on September 12. Collectors started lining up at 3 AM for the 10 AM opening, and the line wrapped around the block. Cooper even worked the register.

The shop carries sports cards, Pokémon, One Piece, and more. Tyler, who lives in Levant, runs it day to day while Cooper plays for the Dallas Mavericks. They looked at Newport first, and they picked Bangor for the foot traffic. Tyler said downtown was missing something like this.

A hometown kid who made it big could have opened a shop anywhere. He picked here.

Visit: Flagg Trading Co., 35 Main St. Open Tuesday through Sunday.

Presented by: Foam Rush Maine

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The Bangor Humane Society is one of the oldest in Maine. What year was it founded?

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  • Free tax help could put $300 in your pocket. Maine residents who meet the income limits can get a one-time $300 Maine Affordability Payment, but only if they file a 2025 Maine tax return by October 15. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers are running free drop-in clinics on Tuesday, October 6 (10 AM to 5 PM) and Friday, October 9 (10 AM to 4 PM). Details here.

    Who wins the 2026 Bangor Arts Award? Find out Thursday, October 8, from 5 to 7 PM at the ARTober Arts Awards and Reception. The winner takes home $1,000 from the City of Bangor Commission on Cultural Development. Free, with performances, snacks, and a cash bar. Details here.

    An evening with Eleanor Morse. The Maine novelist talks about her latest book, This Foreign Land, with author Robert Diamante at The Briar Patch on Tuesday, October 6, at 7 PM. Details here.

This week's photo by Ken D'Errico.

Got a great shot of greater Bangor? Submit it for a chance to be featured in Queen City Weekly. Submit your photo here.


Food Resources

If you or someone you know needs a meal or groceries, here are some places operating in Bangor right now. Call ahead to confirm hours before you go.

Salvation Army Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen, 65 South Park St. Meals Monday through Friday, 11:30am to 1pm. Food pantry Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 to 11am (walk-in). 207-535-9572.

Manna Ministry, 95 Center St. Hot meals Monday through Friday, 4 to 5pm. Food pantry Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 3 to 4pm.

Brick Church, 126 Union St. Meals Monday through Friday, 4:30 to 5:30pm. Clothes and showers also available Tuesday and Thursday, 10am to 2pm.

Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, 263 Main St. Soup kitchen daily at 11:45am. Food pantry Sunday and Tuesday, 1 to 4pm (one visit per month).

Bangor Food Pantry, 28 High St. (at Hammond Street Congregational Church). Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am to noon. Bangor residents only.

Bangor Region YMCA, 17 Second St. Food pantry Tuesdays 6 to 8am, Thursdays 6 to 7:30pm, Saturdays 12:30 to 2:30pm.

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Have an amazing week, and see you next Friday. — Ken, Editor

Queen City Weekly | Greater Bangor, Maine

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