Activities and Events in Maine
October 2010

If you love the feel of crisp fall air - while surrounded by one of the most radiant color palettes that Mother Nature has to offer - you are sure to find that the list of activities and events in Maine, October 2010 has a variety of fun Maine things to do, for you and your family.

As a matter of fact, for many people, October is the best time to visit Maine.

Although the dates of peak fall foliage in Maine differ from region to region (and year to year)...

...with leaves in the northern and higher elevations being at their most colorful, earlier than on the southern coast of Maine...

...late September though the first part of October can be a stunning time to visit.

Even though as the month progresses, the average October temperature in Maine begins to drop considerably, it is usually warm enough to comfortably enjoy the October calendar of Maine activities.

Read where other travelers say the best places to stay in Maine are...

...and find the best Maine hotel deals, while comparing prices on hotels in Maine, motels, inns and B&B's.

With scarecrows, pumpkins, and apple cider everywhere...

...Oktoberfests, road races, arts and crafts fairs, special Columbus Day weekend events, pumpkin carving contests, and Halloween activities, are easy to find.

Chili cook-offs, pie tastings, oyster shucking, the "Maine Lobster Chef of the Year", and ski resorts in Maine coming to life with fall festivals and homecomings...

...are all on a long list of Maine activities and events for October 2010!

You will find that many lodging accommodations, restaurants, shops, museums, galleries, and other Maine tourist attractions remain open (at least through the Columbus Day weekend), giving Maine visitors a chance to enjoy all of the best places to visit in Maine, and things to do.

Do you sponsor a Maine event, or know of one to share?

If so, the form at the bottom of this page is for you! Use it for Activities and Events in Maine, October 2010, or any other time of year. Share late summer activities, things to do in Maine in the fall, winter events, or spring outings.

Your event may already be included on the Great-Maine-Vacations.com Maine event calendar. If you see it, and would like to update event information, please contact me and I'll make the appropriate changes.

October Maine Event Calendar 2010

With all the things to do in Maine in October this list will continue to grow. Please check back periodically to see what current events have been added.

Very important...
Activities and events in Maine, October 2010 may not reflect schedule changes or cancellations. Before heading out, confirm event dates and event locations.

Activities and Events in Maine, October 2010 are listed by event date. For maps and driving directions click on the Map links.

When: Sunday, September 26, 2010 - Saturday, October 2, 2010
Where: Cumberland, Maine - Map
More information: Cumberland County Fair website

A Maine agricultural fair with a new admission structure for 2010. "to stimulate your economy". Children "12 and under FREE! Three Ride Days! Tow Senior Days!"

When: Sunday, October 3, 2010
Where: Portland, Maine - Map
More information: Maine Marathon website

As of August 1, 2010, entry fees for the Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay are $50 for the Half Marathon, $65 for the Marathon and $120 for the Marathon Relay. There is a limit of 3,500 total entries for the Marathon and Half Marathon, and registration will close on September 26 at midnight.

When: Sunday, October 3, 2010 - Sunday, October 10, 2010
Where: Fryeburg, Maine - Map
More information: Fryeburg Fair website

Don't wait too late! Fryeburg, Maine Lodging

In 1851, farmers and merchants gathered in a small town in the southwest corner of Maine to show off their produce, cattle, and wares. Over one-hundred-fifty years later, at the Fryeburg Fair in Maine, they are still doing the same...

...having made this one of the most notable agricultural events in North America.

When: Sunday, October 3, 2010 - Monday, October 11, 2010
Where: Damariscotta, Maine - Map
More information: Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta website

"Highlights of last year's festival included a big parade complete with Maine's new record pumpkin (weighing 1,210 pounds) and its grower Elroy Morgan and Togus the Cat. The Pumpkin Dessert Contest had 18 fine entries - all available for tasting. There were tons of children's games and a free matinee. 24 giant pumpkins were carved, painted, or both, by artists of all ages. Pumpkins of various sizes were thrown, hurled, shot, and dropped thanks to record-holding punkin chunkers and catapulters, and a 150-foot crane taking aim on a retired police cruiser! The Pumpkin Paddleboat Races and Motorized Pumpkinboat Regatta again drew huge crowds to the shores of the Damariscotta River."

When: Friday, October 8, 2010 - Saturday, October 9, 2010
Where: Southwest Harbor, Maine - Map
More information: Acadia's Oktoberfest website

October 8th... "The first day of the weekend will open with an afternoon and early evening "Wine & Cheese Tasting' accompanied by music."

October 9th... "This Brewfest has been noted as "one of the spots not to miss" and one of the "top ten festivals in New England" by the national RV Magazine and New England brewery magazines. One of the largest and most popular Festivals in Maine the 2009 attendance was 4000. Maine brewers state that this is their favorite Maine Festival."

More Activities and Events in Maine, October 2010...

When: Friday, October 8, 2010 - Sunday, October 10, 2010
Where: Kingfield, Maine - Map
More information: Sugarloaf website, Homecoming 2010 page

"Reconnect with friends, celebrate the fall season, and learn what's new for the upcoming winter at Sugarloaf's annual Homecoming Weekend. Enjoy spectacular mountain scenery at the peak of foliage season, the CVA Used Ski Equipment Sale, the Uphill Climb Race, the Sugarloaf Annual Meeting and much more."

When: Saturday, October 9, 2010
Where: Newry, Maine - Map
More information: Sunday River website, Wife Carrying Championship page

"Expect crowds of over 2,000 fans out to watch up to 50 teams from across the country complete for a spot in the World Championships in Finland. Bragging rights are definitely a perk to winning but perhaps the biggest incentive are the prizes of the wife's weight in beer and five times the wife's weight in cash!"

When: Saturday, October 9, 2010 - Sunday, October 10, 2010
Where: Newry, Maine - Map
More information: Sunday River website, Fall Festival Weekend page

"Come celebrate the end of summer with live music from Bow Thayer and Perfect Trainwreck and Barefoot Truth, a wine tasting, the always entertaining North American Wife Carrying Championship and a full array of activities for the whole family. Spend the weekend with spectacular foliage great deals, good company and more. This year’s Fall Festival promises to be a hit."

When: Sunday, October 10, 2010
Where: York Beach, Maine - Map
More information: Maine Oyster Fest website

"2010 Maine Oyster Fest a wicked good shuckin' time..."

When: Sunday, October 10, 2010
Where: Various Maine locations
More information: Maine Cheese Guild website, Open Creamery Day page

"As the hardwood foliage bursts into a blaze of colors on Columbus Day weekend, take in the spectacular sights and come taste some award winning cheese during the Maine Cheese Guild’s annual Open Creamery Day. Visit many of Maine’s cheese makers in their creameries, meet the animals, and learn the stories behind Maine’s more than 150 artisan cheese varieties."

More Activities and Events in Maine, October 2010...

When: Monday, October 11 - Saturday, October 16, 2010
Where: Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, Maine - Map
More information: Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce website

"The Gathering of The Scarecrows is quickly becoming a family favorite. Scour the Kennebunks to look for the homemade Scarecrows and then attend the Scarecrow Parade to the Green in Kennebunkport!"

When: Thursday, October 14, 2010 - Sunday, October 17, 2010
Where: Various locations Blue Hill, Maine - Map
More information: Blue Hill Peninsula Chamber of Commerce website, Foliage Food and Wine page

"Join us on the scenically spectacular Blue Hill Peninsula for a weekend of fine food and drink, workshops, tours, tastings and much more."

When: Saturday, October 16, 2010
Where: Waterford Village, Maine- Map
More information: Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce website, Events page

"Every year more and more runners and spectators converge on the quintessential Waterford Village green to participate in or watch the children's one mile fun run, 5K road race and fitness walk and test chili created by local businesses and individuals. The race, which begins at noon and supports the Tony Waldeier Scholarship Program, covers a scenic course from the village green, alongside Keoka Lake to Bear Mountain Inn and back. Chili sampling begins just after that."

When: Saturday, October 16, 2010 - Sunday, October 17, 2010
Where: York Beach, Maine - Map
More information: Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce website, Oktoberfest page

"This festival includes a variety of activities, live bands, an ox roast, bean hole beans and a mix of approximately 200 vendors: including Food Vendors, Juried Crafters, Marketplace Vendors, Go Green Expo Exhibitors and local Non-Profit Organizations. Harvestfest also includes a corn toss challenge, a POW-WOW, hayrides & much more.'

'Kidsfest will take place both days during Harvestfest and will include kids games, crafts, special entertainment and Pumpkin Stroll on Saturday night."

When: Sunday, October 17, 2010
Where: Waterville, Maine - Map
More information: Waterville Maine Street website, Events page

"Come to Castonguay Square for a day of family fun. Hay rides, scarecrow building, family pumpkin carving, pumpkin bowling, candy apply making, pony rides, face painting, a smokin' chili cook-off and more!"

When: Thursday, October 21, 2010 - Saturday, October 23, 2010
Where: Portland, Maine - Map
More information: Harvest on the Harbor website

"Maine's premier food and wine experience.'

'What has food lovers talking? It's the caliber of our restaurants, the expertise of our chefs, and the pure and sustainable ingredients from our farmers, food artisans, and fishermen. This October, experience the flavors of Maine at Harvest on the Harbor, presented by the Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau."

More Activities and Events in Maine, October 2010...

When: Friday, October 22, 2010
Where: Portland, Maine - Map
More information: Maine Lobster Council website, Maine Lobster Chef of the Year Cook-Off page

'The Maine Lobster Chef of Year Competition will have it's Cook-off event in Portland, at Harvest on the Harbor, Maine's premier food and wine festival on October 22, 2010 , from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm.'

'The three Chef finalists chosen by our judges will prepare 200 samples of their winning recipes and the Grand Prize Winner will be chosen by a live audience vote.'

'This event sold out early in 2009, so get your tickets early!"

When: Friday, October 22, 2010 - Saturday, October 23, 2010
Where: Gray, Maine - Map
More information: Maine Wildlife Park website, or the Maine Wildlife Park Events 2010 page (opens in .pdf)

"Celebrate Halloween with the Park’s native wildlife! Get into the spooky spirit!
Special Halloween Displays! Haunted Hay Rides! Wear your costumes! Games and Door Prizes! Regular Admission Fees. (Call office FMI 657-4977 if raining) The Nature Store and Snack Shack will be open for spooky snack & souvenirs!"

When: Friday, October 22, 2010 - Saturday, October 23, 2010, and Friday, October 29, 2010 - Saturday, October 30, 2010
Where: Prospect, Maine - Map
More information: Fort Knox website, Fright at the Fort page

See the Spooks at Fright at the Fort - need we say more?

When: Friday, October 22, 2010 - Sunday, October 24, 2010
Where: Ogunquit, Maine - Map
More information: Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce website, OgunquitFest page

"...a fun-filled weekend of fall-themed events. Activities include pumpkin and cookie decorating, costume parade, classic car show, craft bazaar, haunted house, high heel race, bed race, ghost tours, wagon rides, storytelling, and a scarecrow contest"

When: Saturday, October 30, 2010
Where: Freeport, Maine - Map
More information: Camp Sunshine website, Pumpkin Festival at L.L. Bean page

"Join us on Saturday October 30, 2010 at L.L. Bean in Freeport to spend the day carving pumpkins, enjoying live music, viewing pumpkin sculptures, our Pumpkin Tower and even walk through a Pumpkin House."

You may also be interested in:
Activities and Events in Maine
Detailed State of Maine Map
Maine Tourist Attractions
Maine Weather Forecast

Are you Planning Events in Maine?

...or know of one that should be shared? Just send me the details and I will be happy to include it in the appropriate section. You can send additions to Activities and Events in Maine, October 2010, late summer events in Maine, fall and winter activities, or things to do in the spring!

Hope you enjoyed the Activities and Events in Maine, October 2010...