Downtown Bangor to offer Winter Weekend

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BANGOR – A pub crawl, a psychic fair for people and pets, and an eagle watch on the Penobscot River are among the events added to the city’s annual Winter Weekend.

It starts tonight and runs through Sunday.

The festival, which aims to offer residents and visitors an antidote for cabin fever, also will feature some standbys, including the Paul Bunyan look-alike contest and snowmobile show, the Banff Film Festival, a pancake breakfast, horse-drawn wagon rides, snowshoe demonstrations and lots of events for children.

“It’s got some things that are perennial favorites, and it’s got some new events,” said Sally Bates, a city development officer who works closely with the downtown business community.

“I think one of the things that’s great about Winter Weekend is that there’s something for all ages,” Bates said this week.

Though Friday night’s pub crawl is for grown-ups only, Saturday’s events for kids will include giant checkers, face painting, Big Wheel races, ring toss games, giant fishing, “sandy candy” art and more, Bates said.

Also among the highlights, she said, will be the “ceremonial lighting” of the ice sculpture that the staff at the downtown architectural firm Ames A/E builds each year. This year, the company is working with the American Heart Association, which Bates notes is timely with Valentine’s Day a week away.

This year, Bates said, the ice sculpture unveiling will feature a “modest” pyrotechnics display.

“It’ll be more than sparklers, but less than bottle rockets,” Bates said.

Besides all of the scheduled activities, retail specials will be available at participating stores throughout the weekend.

Following is the list of Winter Weekend events. Unless otherwise indicated, events are free.

Thursday

. 6:30-10 p.m., Open Mike Night, Union Street Brick Church, $2 donation; all ages.

Friday

. 6 p.m., ceremonial lighting of ice sculpture, West Market Square.

. 7-10 p.m., Pub Crawl (details about contest and prizes available from the Sea Dog at 947-8004). Over 21 only.

Saturday

. 8-10 a.m., Audubon Society Eagle Watch on Penobscot River, assemble at the Sea Dog.

. 10-11 a.m., Audubon Society slide show, Sea Dog.

. 9-11:30 a.m., pancake breakfast, Sea Dog, $3.

. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Penobscot Theatre costume collection sale, Bangor Opera House.

. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., holistic fair, Silo 7, 118 Harlow St.

. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., “Fire and Ice,” Bangor history tour and lecture starts at the Sea Dog.

. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., face painting and hot cocoa, Sea Dog, Bangor Public Library, Pickering Square.

. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., children’s reading and activities, Bangor Public Library.

. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., children’s activities, Pickering Square.

. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., horse-drawn carriage rides, Waterfront.

. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., police dog and robot demos, Waterfront.

. Noon-3 p.m., Epic Sports snowshoe demos, Norumbega Park.

. Noon, Paul Bunyan look-alike contest and snowmobile show, Waterfront.

. 1 p.m., Introducing Arbonne International: A Health and Wellness Company, Metropolitan Soul, 15 Hammond St.

Sunday

. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., brunch, Sea Dog, $13.95 for adults, 5 and under free.

. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., psychic fair featuring mini psychic readings for people and pets, Silo 7, 118 Harlow St., $20.

. 2 p.m., “Communicating Doors,” Penobscot Theatre. Discount available with Winter Weekend coupon.

Monday

. Banff Film Festival, Bangor Opera House, $10 (tickets available at Epic Sports).

More details and a downloadable schedule and map are available at www.downtownbangor.com.