Culturefest celebrates UM’s international flavor

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Another opportunity to learn about many different cultures awaits all who attend the 17th annual Culturefest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, in the Field House on the University of Maine campus in Orono.

Karen Boucias, director of the UM Office of International Programs and National Student Exchange, reports “400 international students and scholars will host information tables with cultural exhibits, a food sale, a style show of traditional clothing and a talent show.

“This popular day of cultural festivities,” she added, features “some of the best ethnic food north of Boston.”

Among the dances and songs you will hear will be those performed by students from India, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Spain, Africa, Japan and Greece.

Hosted by the university’s Office of International Programs and the International Student Association, Culturefest also features many activities for young children, which should keep them entertained for quite some time.

To tempt your palate, you can try African, Vietnamese, Chinese and Indian cuisine.

On behalf of all the participants, Boucias invites you to “come and travel the world on Saturday.”

The Haunted Hayride sponsored by the Hancock Recreation Committee “is our biggest fund-raiser,” Jane Moon told me.

“We take care of Pee Wee Basketball. We sponsor a flag football team at Hancock Grammar School, T-Ball, Little League, an Easter egg hunt, and a number of other things in our community to try and keep the kids busy.”

The Haunted Hayride is 7-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, and Saturday, Oct. 30, at MacQuinn’s Gravel Pit off Route 1 in Hancock.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

Moon said to look for the large Haunted Hayride sign along Route 1, near the site of the former Riggs Rugs building.

“You turn there, and just drive down in. It’s very obvious.”

Moon said the event always has a great turnout.

“People come from all over to see us, and we have lots of fun. We have scenes set up throughout the gravel pit, and the wagons stop and they can see what is going on.”

The committee puts on quite a show.

“We’re perfect on that,” she said.

While most of us are thinking about Halloween and all that entails, members of the Hampden Congregational Church want you to think about all things Irish.

They invite you to attend an Irish music concert and public supper beginning with the supper at 5:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at the church, 101 Main Road North in Hampden.

Jonathan Henry, chairman of the church board of trustees, is coordinating the event.

He reports that Two Old Friends, Mac McHale and Emery Hutchins, “will perform a variety of songs from Ireland, the mountains and the sea,” for your enjoyment.

Tickets for the concert are $7, and admission to the supper is $6 per person.

For those who plan to attend both events, the cost is $12 per person.

Tickets will be available at the door or can be reserved by calling the church office at 862-5248.

The menu features baked ham, “hearty side dishes and seasonal deserts,” Henry wrote.

McHale and Hutchins, Henry explained, are “a duet from Kennebunk” who have been “playing together for 15 years, and were the original founders of Northeast Winds.

Their repertoire includes many favorite and traditional sea songs, as well as a good amount of hot-picking instrumentals and great singalongs.

Proceeds benefit the church capital campaign.

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, United Cerebral Palsy of Maine hosts Pumpkins in the Park from 3:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, in the grandstand at Bangor Raceway.

General admission is $3 for the family-oriented event that features prizes in Maine’s Best Jack-o’-lantern Contest.

To enter, register your jack-o’-lantern before 3 p.m. Saturday at the grandstand.

First through third prizes will be awarded in two age categories: 12 and under, and 13 and over.

A $250 prize will be awarded the best children’s Pumpkin Patch for Scout troops and school groups.

In addition to the pumpkin contests, the event features hayrides, a bounce house, clowns, kettle corn and face painting.

Penn National Gaming President Kevin DeSanctis recently presented UCP with a check for $14,000 to help sponsor this event and other UCP projects.

For more information, call UCP, 941-2952.

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