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A note from the editor

Hey Neighbor,

Good morning, greater Bangor. The fair is having its final hours, the waterfront lineup is strong, and Sunday the golfers are teeing up for the animals.

Let's get into it.

Ken, the editor

THIS WEEKEND IN BANGOR

This is it. Saturday is the last day of the Bangor State Fair, and the gates close at 9 p.m. Ten days of fried dough, carnival rides, harness racing, and prize-winning everything, all of it wraps up tonight at Bass Park. If you've been meaning to get out there all week, you've got until 9pm on Saturday.

One more thing closing Saturday: voting for the People's Choice Award in the fair's annual photo contest. Head over and cast your vote before the window shuts.

Once the fairgrounds go quiet, the weekend has more to offer. Matt Rife brings his Stay Golden World Tour to Maine Savings Amphitheater tomorrow night at 8 p.m. And if you're more of a leather-jacket-and-vintage-synth person, Billy Idol plays the Amphitheater on Tuesday, August 11. Two very different nights. Both worth showing up for.

Queen City Weekly Event Listing

Friday, August 7 – Thursday, August 13, 2026

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 7

  • First Friday Art Walks 🎨 Time: Evening (time unspecified in listing) | Venue: Multiple downtown locations August stops include DREAM Charm Bar (98 Central St), The Rock and Art Shop (36 Central St), FinePrints (60 Columbia St), Rhe of Sunshine (105 Main St Ste 3), Oh, Grow Up! (21 Central St), Red Rabbit Bazaar (54 Columbia St), and Zillman Art Museum (40 Harlow St). Stroll, browse, and grab something along the way.

  • Summer 2026 Exhibitions at the Zillman Art Museum 🎨 Time: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Venue: Zillman Art Museum, University of Maine Five new exhibitions running June 1–September 5, including Sam Cady: Helter Skelter. Open Tuesday–Saturday, free and open to the public.

  • Tech Tutoring Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Computer Lab One-on-one 60-minute sessions with BPL's Digital Media Librarian Hannah Cyrus, by appointment. Bring your questions, leave with answers.

  • Youth Services Summer Reading Program Wrap Up Party Time: 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Story Room The 2026 Summer Reading Program goes out with a bang: games, activities, and Sno-Cones for kids and teens in grades K–12.

  • Reading & Signing with Laura Krieger Emack Time: 6:30 PM–7:30 PM | Venue: BookSpace, 48 Columbia St, Bangor The Briar Patch hosts author Laura Krieger Emack for a reading of two novellas — a coming-of-age story and a post-9/11 tale of reckoning — followed by a talkback and light refreshments.

  • Korean Swordsmanship Beginners Class: First Class Free Friday 🥋 Time: 7:30 PM–8:30 PM | Venue: Kishintaikan Dojo Haidong Gumdo — traditional Korean swordsmanship dating to the Three Kingdoms period — and your first class is on the house. All fitness levels welcome, equipment provided.

  • The Marshall Tucker Band at the Bangor State Fair 🎤 Time: 7:00 PM–10:00 PM | Venue: Bangor State Fair, Bass Park A Southern rock institution with half a century of hits. Tickets at crossinsurancecenter.com or the Cross Insurance Center box office.

  • James Street Band at Penobscot Pour House 🎤 Time: 9:00 PM–11:00 PM | Venue: Penobscot Pour House Pure classic rock, live on a Friday night. Come ready to hear the hits.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8

  • Bangor's European Market Time: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM | Venue: Bangor's European Market (Ingrid's German Gift Shop) A weekly Saturday market with imported and local meats, seafood, produce, artisanal baked goods, and gifts. Show up early for the best picks.

  • Summer 2026 Exhibitions at the Zillman Art Museum 🎨 Time: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Venue: Zillman Art Museum, University of Maine Five summer exhibitions through September 5. Free and open to the public.

  • Fire of 1911 Walking Tour Time: 6:00 PM–7:30 PM | Venue: Bangor Historical Society (meet here) Follow the path of the devastating 1911 fire that swept through downtown Bangor and hear how the city rebuilt. A great way to know the streets you walk every day a little better.

  • Live Harness Racing 🏃 Time: 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | Venue: Hollywood Casino Raceway, Bangor State Fair Post time is promptly at 6 PM. Wagers on races 3–10 earn points toward the Crown of the Queen City promotion.

  • Demolition Derby at Bangor State Fair Time: 7:00 PM–9:00 PM | Venue: Bangor State Fair, Bass Park The Championship Demolition Derby is back — crumpled metal, roaring engines, and crowd-favorite chaos at the Fair.

  • Matt Rife: Stay Golden World Tour 🎤 Time: 8:00 PM–10:00 PM | Venue: Maine Savings Amphitheater The comedy world's most talked-about touring act hits the waterfront stage. If you've been waiting to grab tickets, now's the time.

  • DJ RM at Hollywood Casino 🎤 Time: 8:00 PM–11:00 PM | Venue: Hollywood Casino Boston-based DJ RM — who's opened for T-Pain, Young M.A., and Walk the Moon — spins an open-format set at the Sound Stage.

  • Nothing New at Penobscot Pour House 🎤 Time: 9:00 PM–11:00 PM | Venue: Penobscot Pour House High-energy covers of songs that bring you back. A crowd-pleaser every time.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9

  • Bangor Farmers Market Time: 11:00 AM–1:30 PM | Venue: Corner of Franklin & Harlow Streets (across from BPL) Your weekly Sunday market with local growers and makers. Rain or shine.

  • 4th Annual Paws on the Green Golf Tournament
    Time: Time TBD | Venue: Hermon Meadow Golf Club
    Every swing counts for a good cause. This annual tournament benefits the Bangor Humane Society, which cares for nearly 2,000 animals a year across northern and eastern Maine. Last year's event drew 120+ golfers and raised over $23,000 — sign up and help them top it.

  • Charm Bandana Workshop with Dream Charm Bar Time: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM | Venue: Sawyer's Shave Ice A two-hour DIY charm bandana workshop in partnership with Dream Charm Bar — all materials included plus one keiki shave ice. Tickets are $35, limited seats.

  • Sunday Community Jam 🎤 Time: 2:00 PM–5:00 PM | Venue: 2 Feet Brewing, Downtown Bangor Show up with an instrument and play. Every Sunday at the brewpub, open to all. No set list, no pressure — just people making music together.

MONDAY, AUGUST 10

  • Chimera Coffee Trivia 🍺 Time: 7:00 PM–8:30 PM | Venue: Chimera Coffee Monday night trivia with Sir_Quizzalot. Beer, wine, espresso, and snacks. The smartest table wins.

  • Bangor Area Spay/Neuter Clinic
    Time: Drop-off 5:00 AM, Pick-up 6:30–7:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Mall parking lot (near Dick's Sporting Goods/JCPenney), 11 Bangor Mall Blvd
    PALS Low-Cost Feline Veterinary Service and Cat Life Maine Inc. are teaming up for a limited spay/neuter clinic for cats — space is capped at 35, so register early. Spay package $150, neuter package $125. If you know someone in the community who needs affordable options, pass it along.

  • Monday Karaoke at Paddy Murphy's 🎤 Time: 9:00 PM | Venue: Paddy Murphy's Every Monday night at Paddy's. Be part of the rumpus.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11

  • Summer 2026 Exhibitions at the Zillman Art Museum 🎨 Time: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Venue: Zillman Art Museum, University of Maine Five summer exhibitions, free and open to the public through September 5.

  • Songwriters' Open Mic 🎤 Time: 5:00 PM–8:00 PM | Venue: 2 Feet Brewing Every Tuesday, songwriters get 15 minutes on the mic. Original music, cold beer, good ears.

  • Greendrinks Lights Up The Stage 🎤 Time: 5:00 PM–8:00 PM | Venue: The Stage Door, Bangor Opera House Bangor Greendrinks heads to The Stage Door — attached to the historic Bangor Opera House and home of Penobscot Theatre Company. Come for a drink, stay for the company.

  • Mount Hope Cemetery Walking Tour Time: 6:00 PM–7:30 PM | Venue: Mount Hope Cemetery (meet at entrance) Guided tour through Bangor's 300-acre national landmark — the country's second oldest garden cemetery. Stories of famous and infamous residents, symbolism in the stones, and views of the city you won't get anywhere else.

  • Tuesday Live Irish Sessions & Open Mic 🎤 Time: 6:00 PM | Venue: Paddy Murphy's Live Irish jam from 6–8 PM, then open mic from 9 PM to close. A proper Tuesday night out.

  • Billy Idol at Maine Savings Amphitheater 🎤 Time: 6:00 PM | Venue: Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor Waterfront Billy Idol's "It's A Nice Day To… Tour Again!" on the waterfront. One of the iconic voices of the '80s, still electric live.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12

  • Bangor Community Resource Fair Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Atrium and Crofutt Room Food AND Medicine hosts a free monthly resource fair with food, community resource info, and raffle prizes. Open to anyone in the greater Bangor area.

  • Summer 2026 Exhibitions at the Zillman Art Museum 🎨 Time: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Venue: Zillman Art Museum, University of Maine Five summer exhibitions through September 5. Free and open to the public.

  • STITCH 'N B*TCH Time: 4:00 PM–6:00 PM | Venue: Red Rabbit Bazaar, 54 Columbia St Learn to sew and mend clothes alongside others. Every Wednesday at Red Rabbit — all skill levels, all welcome.

  • Summer Music Series – The Twisted Swing Band 🎤 Time: 6:00 PM–7:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library Lawn The Twisted Swing Big Band — a community big band from the Penobscot County area — plays the library lawn. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy.

  • Wizards and Warp Drives – A Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Club Time: 6:00 PM–7:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library The second Wednesday of the month book club for sci-fi and fantasy fans. BPL's Amanda leads the discussion.

  • Hoppily Ever After Romance Book Club: The Open Era Time: 7:30 PM–8:30 PM | Venue: BookSpace, 48 Columbia St, Bangor Vol. 28 of The Briar Patch's monthly romance book club. This month: THE OPEN ERA by Edward Schmit, a rivals-to-lovers tennis romance. Led by romance novel expert Megan.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13

  • Summer 2026 Exhibitions at the Zillman Art Museum 🎨 Time: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Venue: Zillman Art Museum, University of Maine Five summer exhibitions through September 5. Free and open to the public.

  • Technology Series: De-Data-Broker Time: 12:00 PM–1:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Computer Lab Session 1 of 3: BPL's Digital Media Librarian Hannah Cyrus walks through what data brokers are and how to start opting out of their surveillance. Free — registration has closed, contact BPL to check availability.

  • Next Chapter Book Club Time: 2:00 PM–3:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library A community-based book club for adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, meeting every other Thursday.

  • ASL Social Hour Time: 5:00 PM–7:00 PM | Venue: Bangor Public Library, Board Room The second Thursday of each month, join Nieves Perez Besu for ASL games and good company. All are welcome.

  • Mount Hope Cemetery Walking Tour Time: 6:00 PM–7:30 PM | Venue: Mount Hope Cemetery (meet at entrance) A second weekly opportunity to take the guided tour through Bangor's storied 300-acre cemetery. Same route, new stories every time you bring someone new.

  • Bangor Pub Run 🏃 Time: 6:30 PM–8:00 PM | Venue: Meet in front of Paddy Murphy's Every Thursday: gather, run 3–5 miles downtown, then grab a drink. No pace requirement — all are welcome.

  • PanStorm Summer Concert Series 🎤 Time: 6:30 PM–8:00 PM | Venue: Downtown Bangor Bangor's favorite steel pan group brings soca, calypso, jazz, and pop to the streets. One of five Thursday shows this summer — don't miss it.

  • Trivia Night at Nocturnem Draft Haus 🍺 Time: 7:00 PM–9:30 PM | Venue: Nocturnem Draft Haus Weekly Thursday trivia with weekly prizes. Good beer, tough questions.

  • Karaoke at Penobscot Pour House 🎤 Time: 8:00 PM–11:55 PM | Venue: Penobscot Pour House Thursday night karaoke with DJ Mad Kat hosting. Bangor asked; the Pour House delivered.

CITY HALL & PUBLIC MEETINGS August 7–13 | All meetings open to the public Agendas posted the Friday before at bangormaine.gov/AgendaCenter. Times subject to change.

Note: Parks, Recreation & Harbor Advisory Committee (Aug 13, 5:15 PM) has been CANCELLED per the city calendar.

Billy Idol hits the waterfront Tuesday night. Matt Rife plays the amphitheater Saturday. The Marshall Tucker Band takes the State Fair stage on Friday. Three of the biggest shows of the summer, all in one week.

And then there's the rest of it.

Monday morning, before most people have had coffee, someone will be pulling into the Bangor Mall parking lot to drop a cat off for a spay/neuter clinic that starts at 5 AM. That afternoon, golfers tee off at Hermon Meadow to raise money for the Humane Society. Wednesday, the Twisted Swing Band plays the library lawn for free. A few miles away in Brewer, a chess club pulls up chairs and waits for whoever walks in next.

That's August in Bangor. Not just the names on the big stages, though those are worth every minute. It's everything happening at the same time, organized by people who decided something was worth doing and went ahead and did it.

A lot is worth doing this week. Find your piece of it.

the editor

Support your local newsletter and reach an engaged audience!

❝

Location - Bangor Waterfront

Ca C'est Bon Cajun Food Truck

Wild Cow Creamery

Salt & Cedar Kitchen

The Thai Lotus

Location - The Furniture Gallery

  • Friday, August 7 - Rizza’s Kitchen

  • Monday, August 10 - Rizza’s Kitchen, Del’s Lemonade

  • Tuesday, August 11 - Mainely Taco, Del’s Lemonade

  • Wednesday, August 12 - Brick & Embers, Del’s Lemonade

  • Thursday, August 13 - Mainely Taco, Del’s Lemonade

Contact us to include your food truck and location.

Bogeys, 471 Stillwater Ave..

You may know the building. For years it was Smoke and Steel BBQ at 471 Stillwater Avenue. New owners took over earlier this year, gave the place a new name, and added something Bangor didn't have before.

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It's called Bogeys now. Same smoked meats, same axe throwing, and now golf simulators, live music, and a lineup of games that actually gives families a reason to stay a while. The kitchen still turns out brisket, burnt ends, and Nashville hot chicken. The $5 smash burger at lunch is the kind of thing you tell people about. Open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (8 p.m. on Sundays).

It's a lot under one roof. In the best way.

Suzan Prendergast, Executive Director, Bangor Humane Society

Suzan Prendergast has been leading the Bangor Humane Society for years, and she's one of those people who shows up every day because she genuinely believes the work matters.

Under her watch at 693 Mt. Hope Ave., the shelter has become something more than a place animals wait. It's where Bruno, a terrier mix with a little stranger danger, waited 1,214 days before finding his person. Where Caesar the cat found a second forever home, and declined his adoption photo with full dignity. Where volunteers, donors, and staff come together week after week because the cause pulls them in.

Suzan describes the shelter simply: "A place of hope and healing, for pets and for people." That's not marketing copy. That's just what the place is.

This Sunday, the community gets a chance to give back. The 4th Annual Paws on the Green Golf Tournament at Hermon Meadow Golf Club is the shelter's biggest annual fundraiser, and it happens because people like Suzan have spent years building trust in this community, one animal at a time.

Mark your Sunday. The 4th Annual Paws on the Green Golf Tournament tees off August 9 at Hermon Meadow Golf Club, and every dollar raised goes straight to the animals at the Bangor Humane Society, covering food, medical care, and everything that keeps the shelter running.

Last year the event brought out more than 120 golfers and raised over $23,000. This year's tournament is shaping up to be the biggest yet.

Want to support even if you're not a golfer? Visit bangorhumane.org to make a donation or learn about other ways to get involved.

Presented by: Foam Rush Maine

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Bangor's 31-foot Paul Bunyan has stood on Main Street since 1959. The local artist who designed him was paid just $134 for his work. What was his name?

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Concerts

  • Billy Idol & Devo at Maine Savings Amphitheater, Tuesday, August 11. Yes, that Devo. Whip it.

Trivia

  • Trivia Monday at Seasons (427 Main Street): four rounds covering sports, entertainment, news, and random knowledge. Every Monday at 6:30 p.m. Good way to start the week.

  • Trivia at 2 Feet Brewing: Monday nights with Sir Quizzalot, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Beer, trivia, good company.

  • Thursday Trivia and Burger Night at Nocturnem (56 Main Street): trivia runs 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Thursday. The burger is the move.

Arts and Community

  • Bangor Greendrinks at The Stage Door, Tuesday, August 11, 5 to 8 p.m. Casual, community-minded, worth showing up for.

  • Zillman Art Museum at UMaine is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through September 5. Free. No excuse not to go.

This week's photo by Ken D'Errico.

“Reflections”

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.

Have an announcement, job posting, event, or local news tip for Queen City Weekly? Reply to this email or reach us at [email protected].

Got a great shot of greater Bangor? Submit it for a chance to be featured right here. Submit your photo here.

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Queen City Weekly publishes every Friday morning. Forward this to someone who loves Bangor.

Instagram: @queencityweekly | Facebook: QueenCityWkly

That's the week. Go vote in that photo contest before 10 tonight and be sure to get outside this weekend.

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

Queen City Weekly | Greater Bangor, Maine

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