AUGUSTA — The Maine State Beekeepers Association will mark its 50th year with the 2026 Bee Fest, a free public celebration of bees, beekeeping, honey, and Maine’s pollinator community, Sunday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Viles Arboretum, 133 Hospital Street, Augusta, Maine.

Bee Fest welcomes current beekeepers, people considering their first hive, families, gardeners, food enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the vital role honey bees play in Maine’s environment and agricultural landscape.

The Tomato Tasting will return for an encore at Merryspring Nature Center on Saturday, Sept. 12, from noon to 3 p.m.  

The format for this year’s tasting will be much like last year’s, which drew about 50 participants, according to Merryspring, in a news release. The event begins with expert speakers who will focus on growing tomatoes, different seed-saving techniques, and which varieties to select for your garden. That will be followed by the Tomato Tasting itself.

The 2026 campaign kicks off Thursday, August 20, at the Augusta National Guard Armory, and will be followed by monthly in-person hiring events throughout the state.

"You're invited!" said Maine Dept. of Labor, in a news release. "Are you looking for a new career? Maybe you are transitioning from military service, or just looking for a change?"

Maine's annual Hire-A-Vet Campaign is a statewide effort with the goal of at least 100 employers hiring at least 100 veterans and military family members during a 100-day period.

Lincolnville Center Indoor Flea Market will be held Saturday, Aug. 15, from 8 a.m. to noon, in the Community Building, at 18 Searsmont Road, Rt. 173 in Lincolnville CENTER. 

This market offers a wide variety of merchandise from the useful to the unusual including vintage household goods, seasonal decorations, handcrafts, farm products and delectable sweet and savory baked goods.

APPLETON — The Washington Grunge, in partnership with Georges River Land Trust and Midcoast Conservancy, continues to host Welcoming Walkabouts, a hiking series for LGBTQIA+ community members at various trails throughout the Midcoast. LGBTQIA+ community members, along with their allies, are invited to explore the preserve’s woodland, riverside trails and connect with new and familiar friends.

Join in on the next Welcoming Walkabout on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m., at Georges River Land Trust’s Appleton Preserve.

Jock Robie will lead a free indoor Worm Bin Harvest workshop at Merryspring Nature Center on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 5:30 p.m. 

CUSHING — Join Georges River Land Trust (GRLT) for the final SEED event with artist Lihua Lei Farley on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 2 - 4 p.m.

Last week, over 250 friends and supporters of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences came together for an evening of discovery and inspiration. Through the Big Splash fundraiser, the institute raised over $800,000 in sponsorships and bids — far exceeding the original fundraising goal — all of which will go to support the institute’s “bold science for our blue planet.”

BELFAST — The Waldo County YMCA and Waldo Community Action Partners (WCAP) are partnering to launch a new back to school tradition, School-a-Palooza, on Sunday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Waldo County YMCA. This free community event is designed to help Waldo County students head back to the classroom feeling prepared, supported and motivated. 

From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on August 22, Greg Larsen will open his garden at 17 Tuva Trail in Lincolnville as the final event in the 2026 Belfast Garden Club Open Garden Days. The event will be held rain or shine. Admission is $5.

"This lovely space tucked into a woodland area in Lincolnville boasts an abundance of specimen trees," said the Garden Club, in a news release.

Larsen says his fascination with what trees can do and with their diversity and longevity in the landscape inspired his “mini-arboretum.”

Mary Cee, a practicing Marriage and Family Therapist for over two decades and a recovering alcoholic, will present on her book, In the Rooms: A Therapist’s Guide to Getting and Staying Sober, Thursday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m., at the Thomaston Public Library. This collaborative community event is co-sponsored by Cushing and Thomaston public libraries, and is free and open to the public.

Cee "will bring a wealth of personal and professional experience to the presentation," said a library news release.

Merryspring Nature Center will host its annual Bug Safari as part of its Free Family Fridays series on Friday, Aug. 14, at 10 a.m. 

During the Bug Safari, children and their families can learn about, find, and catch insects and other tiny creatures in Merryspring’s gardens.

"Darting dragonflies, buzzing bumblebees, fluttering butterflies, and busy beetles will all be on display during this program on a summer morning," said Merryspring, in a news release.

John Fromer will lead an outdoor presentation, Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 12 p.m., at Merryspring Nature Center.

There are many new ornamental flowing plants available at local garden centers, according to Merryspring, in a news release.

"As breeders work to create new introductions to the market, they often cross different varieties which can create beautiful flowers that are not friendly to pollinators," said the news release.

Midcoast Conservancy, with support from a Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund grant, has partnered with the Maine Cyanobacteria Group to launch a free poster and radio campaign as harmful algal blooms become a growing summer risk. 

John Fromer will host "Pollination and Pollinators" on Friday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m., as part of its Free Family Fridays series at Merryspring Nature Center.

"Pollination is very important to plants trying to increase their population and creatures looking for fruit, nuts, and seeds including us,
said Merryspring, in a news release.

New monthly series, library programs, and Common Ground Country Fair appearances highlight a growing literary community.

The Waldoboro Public Library launches its new Poet's Corner this September, opening the door to a month of readings, new programs, and literary gatherings that reflect the remarkable growth of Midcoast Maine's poetry community.

John Fromer will lead an outdoor presentation on "Arranging Dried Flowers," on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 12 p.m., at Merryspring Nature Center.

Having dried your flowers, it is time to make arrangements. John Fromer has arranged dried flowers since the '80s personally and professionally, according to Merryspring, in a news release. He will discuss design and methods for creating both large and small arrangements.