Bangor Center Corp. event coordinator Steve Robbins stopped by to make sure I remind you it is time for the Bangor Rotary Festival of Lights Parade and Community Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The parade begins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday Dec. 7, at Bass Park in Bangor.

The route follows Main Street to West Market Square, where the tree, again donated by Sprague’s Nursery, “will be lit immediately following the end of the parade,” Robbins said.

“Last year, we coordinated the parade and tree lighting, and it was very well received.

“This year, downtown, we will have a brass band, treats for the kids, and carolers performing to add to the holiday festivities.”

Robbins added, “With all the lighted floats, the holiday music and the beautiful tree from Sprague’s, we’re sure it will put everyone in the holiday spirit.”

The theme for the 2002 Festival of Lights Parade is “Lighting Our World with Community Spirit.”

Lorraine Mitchell called with a last-minute reminder for folks in Greater Calais who are getting ready for the holidays that the annual Calais Lioness Christmas Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. today at Johnson’s Hardware Parking lot in Calais.

The parade is always an exciting one, I am told, thanks to the festive spirit generated by the appearance of Santa, Mrs. Claus and their fantastically hardworking elves!

On behalf of members of the First Congregational Church of Ellsworth, Viola Sargent invites you to its annual Christmas Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the church on Church Street.

Sargent reports that “tea time is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.”

At the fair, you will find “partridge berry bowls, handcrafts of many kinds, baked goods and candy, white and pink elephants and much more.”

Prabhjot “PJ” Singh reports that the University of Maine-Machias International Club and Student Senate will be hosts for a Children’s Christmas Party from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, Portside at Kimball Hall on the UMM campus.

The event is open to the public, and features gifts and goodies for toddlers to young teens.

Singh hopes area youngsters and their parents or guardians will attend, and added the gifts were provided by The Salvation Army of Bangor.

The Down East Community Hospital Auxiliary annual Christmas Fair is 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Washington Academy gymnasium in East Machias.

Coffee and doughnuts will keep you going in the morning; a homemade lunch will be available; and you can purchase other baked goods to take home.

Ozias Bridgham will take holiday photographs of your children; Santa Claus is expected at noon; and the facility is handicapped-accessible.

The exceptionally long and impressive list of exhibitors promises you’ll find everything from wind chimes to soap, dolls, jewelry, paintings and holiday decorations.

Hampden Academy Boosters are hosts for the fourth annual Christmas Tree Sale, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Hampden Academy parking lot.

Tree prices range between $25 and $30 and can be preordered from any HA athlete or through the school’s main office.

You also can participate in this fund-raiser by ordering a tree and cutting it yourself at Evergreen Tree Farm on West Elm Street, Hampden.

For more information, or to place an order, call Judy Gamble at 862-4005.

Crafters from Pembroke, Baileyville, Dennysville, Calais, Topsfield, Whiting, Alexander, Eastport, Princeton, Harrington and Charlotte are among the 40 exhibitors at the Pembroke Historical Society Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Pembroke Elementary School.

Bonnie Hunter is chairwoman of the event sponsored by the Pembroke Historical Society to raise funds for its activities and building fund.

PHS members will have food items and refreshments for sale, will raffle a quilt and conduct the popular “Chinese Raffle.”

There is no admission fee, and everyone is welcome.

For 111 years, King’s Daughters Home in Bangor has provided low-cost room and board for young women living away from home.

Linda Allen and fellow members of the board of managers invite you to attend the KDH holiday open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at 89 Ohio St.

Board members and resident directors Rick and Judy Lambert will be available to give you a tour of this lovely, Victorian residence that includes a circular stairway and ornate living room.

You also will learn the history of this Christian boarding home for women, and enjoy light refreshments in a decorative holiday setting.

For those who may have missed it, you have three opportunities this year to attend the Bangor Christmas Creche Exhibit sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints.

The exhibit is noon-8 tonight; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and noon-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the LDS church on the corner of Grandview Avenue and Essex Street in Bangor.

Admission is free to see more than 200 creches from all over the world as well as enjoy Christmas music and other holiday festivities.

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