Two events scheduled for Saturday make for perfect opportunities to enjoy high summer in Bangor. Each marks a turning of the page in the way the city and region sees itself. And each can be understood as a fresh way to value the abundant natural resources on which Bangor was built.

The first is the Bangor Art Society’s first-ever “Paint Bangor” event, which puts a Queen City spin on a creative activity that’s been successful elsewhere. Local painters will sign in Saturday morning, and then – rain or shine – head out to various parts of the city to capture its charms on canvas and paper. At 3:30 p.m., the painters return, and from 5:30 to 7 p.m., the public is invited to the Bennett Gallery at 34 Central Street – across from the Bagel Shop – to bid on the works in a silent auction.

Auction attendees will be able to vote on their favorite works, with the top three pieces dividing a $600 prize.

“There are many fine artists in Bangor,” says Art Society member Jean Deighan. She sees the artists as one of the region’s under-recognized natural resources. So is the city itself – in its developed and undeveloped state. “So many people fail to see the magic that’s right under our noses,” she said, and sometimes it takes an artist to bring it to light.

Ms. Deighan says some incredible work can be had at bargain prices, and it’s fresh art – “People will be taking them home wet,” she said. Half the bid amount goes to the artist, and the other half goes to the Bangor Art Society, an old group gearing up for a more active presence. The Paint Bangor event will return next summer.

The second event on Saturday is also a first-ever in Bangor – the First Annual Penobscot River Revival on the waterfront. The festival, put together by the Lower Penobscot Watershed Coalition and the Penobscot River Restoration Trust, aims to entertain and raise awareness about migratory fish and the efforts to restore the historic life-blood of Bangor, the Penobscot River.

The River Revival event, its organizers hope, “will encourage a renewed spirit of stewardship toward the river, and remind people of our connections to the landscape where we live and the fish and wildlife that share our home,” the groups say.

A host of organizations and businesses will have booths at the waterfront from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and there will be live music by Blue Northern and the Eric Green Band, art, crafts, children’s activities and food.

Both offer a good reason to spend the day in the Queen City.