The local folks know, but visitors to Vacationland may be unaware that one of the most popular Down East summer events is coming up this weekend.

That’s the 29th annual Machias Maine Wild Blueberry Festival, which runs from 4:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, continues all day Saturday, Aug. 21 and concludes with a worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, at Centre Street Congregational Church in that community.

A joint project of the church and community businesses, organizations, institutions and individuals, the event includes, among other activities, a variety of contests and concerts, a parade and the Blueberry Fun & Five Mile Run, rain or shine, beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Washington County Courthouse.

Wild Maine blueberry pancakes will be served beginning at 6 a.m. that day in the vestry of the Centre Street Congregational Church and anything and everything you ever wanted to know about or taste, when it comes to blueberries, awaits all who attend.

Word has it that tickets for all performances of the hometown musical, “The Blueberry Blues,” are sold out, but you should always check ahead to see if any have been turned in. You might just be lucky enough to pick up a couple.

The all-hometown musical’s dress rehearsal is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18 and shows are 7 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 p.m. Friday; and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, at the church.

Some events may be postponed due to rain, so you are urged to call 255-6665 after 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, for information.

Shuttle service is available and, if you have access to a computer, you can find out lots more by visiting www.machiasblueberry.com.

On behalf of the Hancock Woman’s Club, Patricia Hodgkins invites the public to enjoy a Lobster Dinner, with sittings at 5 and 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, on the shore at the home of Pat Cyphers on Hancock Point.

The menu includes lobster, coleslaw, corn, rolls, chips, dessert and beverage.

The cost is $15 per person and reservations are requested.

Tickets may be purchased daily during regular business hours at the Hancock Point Library or the Hancock Point Post Office.

You can also make reservations by calling Nancy Kephart at 422-9555.

Golden Moments of Brewer, a nonprofit organization that trains canine companions for the disabled, invites you to participate in its third annual Golf Classic.

That fund-raiser begins with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 27, at Hermon Meadow Golf Course, reports Jeff Joaquin.

The fee is $75 per person, and includes cart rental, food and awards.

Registration forms and information can be obtained by calling Golden Moments, 989-9969, e-mailing gmad30@juno.com or by visiting www.goldenmoments.info.

From Sharon O’Connell, we learn that the Guilford United Methodist Church is hosting a supper of a different kind.

The Guilford United Methodist Women invite you to enjoy a Summer Salad Supper served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20 at the church on School Street in Guilford.

The Summer Salad Supper includes ham, rolls, dessert, beverages and, of course, assorted salads.

Admission is by donation.

Shirley Wilson of Brewer, who was caring for her family’s 12-year-old sheltie for a week while the family was away, thanks everyone for their “love, care and prayers” as neighbors searched for the dog who ran away from her home, into the woods behind her house.

“The happy part,” she wrote, is that the dog “was found the day his family came home from vacation; a little worse for wear,” but doing well now.

Although she doesn’t know the names of everyone who searched for the dog, she wants all of you to know “how grateful we will always be” that you cared enough to help.

In Monday’s column I wrote I had not heard back from Alana Dubost, who e-mailed her thanks to the people of Bangor “who greet the troops returning from duty in Iraq.”

Her hometown was not included in her letter.

I probably should have waited a day or two longer because her reply was part of my Monday morning e-mail.

Alana Dubost lives in Novato, Calif.

Her cousin, who was welcomed home by our Bangor International Airport Troop Greeters, lives in Fairfield, Calif.

“And, she wrote, “the whole family thinks the world of Bangor, Maine.”

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.