MAINE/Events A sampling of things to do around the state before and after the National Folk Festival

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. Aug. 19-28

Portland Chamber Music Festival, celebrating its 11th season, features nationally acclaimed performers from the United States, Europe and Latin America, Ludcke Auditorium, 716 Stevens Ave., Portland. (800) 320-0257, www.pcm.org.

. Aug. 20-22

Great Falls Balloon Festival, balloon and carnival rides plus food, entertainment and vendors, Railroad Park, Auburn, free admission. (800) 639-6331, www.greatballoonfestival.com.

. Aug. 20-22

Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, boasting a children’s parade, fish fry, homemade blueberry pancake breakfast, arts and crafts show, downtown Machias. 255-6665, www.centrestreetchurch.org.

. Aug. 20-22

Wooden Canoe Festival, with lectures, classes, music, food and wooden canoe displays, Medway Recreation Complex, Medway. 723-4443, www.katahdinmaine.com.

. Aug. 21

Maine Highland Games, featuring bagpipe bands, Highland and Scottish dancing, Scottish vendors and crafts, folk singing, Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick. 688-4483, www.mainehighlandgames.org.

. Aug. 21

“Lumbering in the Maine Woods: Men and Their Machines,” with chronological demonstrations of Maine’s forestry history from the 1600s to the present day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Maine Forest & Logging Museum-Leonard’s Mills. 581-2871, www.leonardsmills.com.

. Aug. 21

Shaker Village Nature Walks, guided tours through Shaker fields and woods, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:30-4 p.m., Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, reservations required. 926-4597, www.shaker.lib.me.us.

. Aug. 21

New England Auto Auction, featuring 200 antique and classic consigned autos, 9:30 a.m., auction preview, 10 a.m. Aug. 20, Owls Head Transportation Museum. 594-4418, www.owlshead.org.

. Aug. 22

Potato Feast Days, with a doll parade, potato feast supper, entertainment, baked potato sales, fun run, arts and crafts fair, classic car show in Houlton. 532-4216, www.greaterhoulton.com.

. Aug. 22-28

Union Fair and State of Maine Wild Blueberry Festival, harness racing, blueberry pie-baking and eating contests, fireworks, tractor pulls, Union Fairgrounds, Union. 785-3281, www.union-fair.com.

September

. Sept. 2-5

Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival, Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick. 725-6009, www.thomaspointbeach.com.

. Sept. 2-6

Blue Hill Fair, country fair featuring midway, exhibits and entertainment, Blue Hill Fairgrounds. 374-3701.

. Sept. 3-6

Windjammer Weekend, Camden, largest single gathering of Maine windjammer fleet, featuring live music, performances, nautical activities and demonstrations, boat parade, fireworks and films. 236-4404, www.windjammerweekend.com.

. Sept. 4-6

Labor Day Sidewalk Sale, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., discount sales at stores throughout the village of Freeport. 865-1212, www.freeportusa.com.

. Sept. 6-12

Capriccio 2004, weeklong, townwide celebration of the arts with concerts, live theater, poetry reading, fashion show and the Portland Ballet, Ogunquit. 646-6170, www.ogunquit.org.

. Sept. 10-11

Tow Truck Meet and Parade, driver skill tests, police and fire demonstrations, parade and awards, Memorial Park, Old Orchard Beach. 934-2500, www.oldorchardbeachmaine.com.

. Sept. 11

Blacksmiths’ Roundup, including training, demonstrations, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Maine Forest & Logging Museum-Leonard’s Mills. 581-2871, www.leonardsmills.com.

. Sept. 11

Festival of Kites, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Ogunquit Main Beach. 646-6170, www.ogunquit.org.

. Sept. 11

Heritage Day, with lumberjack lunch, logging events, chain saw carving demonstrations, Kennebec River Rest Area, Route 2, Skowhegan. 474-3621, www.skowhegan

chamber.com.

. Sept. 11-12

Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival, juried exhibition with 85 artisans and their craft works, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wells Reserve, Laudholm Farm. 646-4521, www.laudholm.org.