For the young, and young-at-heart, the Bangor Garden Show, with its fairy tale theme, should be an absolute delight.

The 17th annual event begins with the Preview Night Gala 6-9 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center. Admission is $35 for one ticket and $17.50 for one companion.

If you attend Patrons Night, and have a valid admission ticket, you could be the lucky winner of a $5,000 diamond pendant from Quality Jewelers in Bangor to be given away as a door prize at 8:30 p.m.

The show then runs from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. both Friday, March 23, and Saturday, March 24; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, March 25.

Daily admission is $10 for adults and free for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult.

And we do have a special notice for out-of-town visitors: Keep in mind if Dutton Street is closed because of the racino construction, you may need to use Buck Street to get to the show.

A fundraiser for Keep Bangor Beautiful, Executive Director Katherine Guerin reminds you that proceeds benefit beautification efforts for the city of Bangor that range from addressing a growing graffiti problem to assisting the city in developing a multiuse trail system.

And although it’s last minute, if you would like to volunteer, check with Guerin at 990-1201 or Keep Bangor Beautiful volunteer chairman Scott Wilkerson at 581-3049.

For general information, visit www.bangorgardenshow.com, and if you want to volunteer, visit Get Involved where you can volunteer online.

There may still be snow on the ground, but spring is in the air everywhere at the Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center, where you will enjoy the efforts of landscapers, lecturers, children and flower show entrants, and be surrounded by everything green, growing and flowing.

The public is invited to enjoy the Hampden Academy Drama Club presentation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “You Can’t Take It With You,” beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22; Friday, March 23; and Saturday, March 24, at the Hampden Academy gymnasium on Main Road North.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students and $15 for families, and can be purchased at the door.

Student directors Annika Earley and Matt Alexander are working with Academy Drama Club director Sharon Zolper to bring you this production, which features a cast of 19.

Proceeds will be used to help match a grant of up to $2,500 from Modern Woodmen of America to benefit the Drama Club.

It’s maple syrup time, and what better way to enjoy it and learn all about it than by taking in events offered by the University of Maine in Orono.

The public is invited to hear UM Cooperative Extension horticulturist and maple tree and syrup-production specialist Kathryn Hopkins discuss “Backyard Sugaring” at noon Friday, March 23, at Page Farm and Home Museum on the UM campus.

You can bring your bag lunch and learn about Maine’s maple syrup production from Hopkins, who has 14 years of experience working with the Cooperative Extension in Somerset County.

The whole family should enjoy “The Maple Sugaring Story” from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 25, also at Page Farm and Home Museum.

That event includes special activities, game playing and stories for children grouped by age from kindergarten through grade six, as well as a trip to the UM sugaring operation in the nearby University Forest.

This popular, interactive celebration should be lots of fun for everyone, especially since you’ll be able to sample fresh maple syrup coming right from the evaporator and poured over ice cream.

Here’s a reminder that Maine native and popular country musician Travis Humphrey and the Travis J. Humphrey Band are appearing in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at Millar Arena in Houlton.

The event benefits Health Services Foundation’s $1 million Nuclear Medicine Equipment Campaign for Houlton Regional Hospital, which is located in Humphrey’s hometown.

Humphrey’s talents have taken him all over the world, and he has played with some of country music’s biggest names.

The opening act features international recording artist, “Randy” Michaud of Mapleton.

Admission is $10, and tickets will be available at the door beginning at 4 p.m. the day of the event.

Tickets also are available at local outlets in the Houlton area, by calling the HSF office at 521-2147 or 521-2503, and can be purchased online at www.healthservicesfoundation.org.

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