Old Hallowell Day Takes Over Downtown This Saturday, Mid Maine Fishoff and an Augusta restaurant closes it's doors

Parade at 10AM, pancake breakfast, road race, Sturgeon Search, live music, crafts & Kennebec River fireworks — everything you need for a perfect Hallowell Saturday

Sandy Smith

OLD HALLOWELL DAY TAKES OVER DOWNTOWN SATURDAY

Hallowell doesn’t do anything halfway, and this Saturday proves it again.

Old Hallowell Day returns July 18, bringing a full day of music, food, races, family activities, and one of the Valley’s best-known parades. The parade steps off at 10 AM on Water Street, travels through downtown, and ends near Temple Street. Expect bands, fire trucks, local businesses, community groups, and plenty of people lining both sides of the street.

The day starts early. The pancake breakfast raises money for local hunger relief, the library book sale offers thousands of books and puzzles, and the arts and crafts area runs from 9 AM to 3 PM. At Vaughan Field, runners can take part in the road race and Kids K, while cyclists head out on the 25-mile ride through the hills around Hallowell.

Families will find plenty to do downtown. The Sturgeon Search sends children looking for paper sturgeon hidden in storefront windows, followed by a chance to decorate one of their own. Granite City Park serves as the center of the day, with food, music, and room to settle in before the evening fireworks.

The celebration actually begins Friday night with a cribbage tournament at Burano’s Wood-Fired Pizzeria. Sign-ups begin at 5:30 PM, play starts at 6, and the entry fee is $10. Players need to bring their own board and deck.

Saturday ends with fireworks over the Kennebec, with viewing from Granite City Park and Front Street.

For a small city, Hallowell puts on a very big day. It’s part parade, part reunion, part street festival, and one of those events that brings the whole community downtown at once

Old Hallowell Day has been bringing people downtown for generations. What year was the first Old Hallowell Day held?

The answer is at the bottom of this edition.

This Saturday, July 18, is one of those days when the Valley gives you more choices than you can possibly fit into one day.

Old Hallowell Day brings the parade, pancake breakfast, road race, book sale, food at Granite City Park, and fireworks over the Kennebec. The Mid-Maine Fish-Off gets underway, 12/OC takes the stage in Sidney to benefit the Travis Mills Foundation, and the Maine International Film Festival reaches its closing weekend in Waterville.

That is a lot happening at once. Pick what sounds best to you, leave yourself enough time to get there, and enjoy the day.

A big thank-you to this edition’s sponsor, North Star Property Solutions. Tony LaPrino was also my guest on Episode 7 of Maine Thrive Voices. His story starts with one unexpected opportunity and a willingness to say yes. You’ll find the episode in this edition, and it’s well worth a listen.

See you around the Valley.

Sandy

Wednesday, July 15: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high near 86 and a low around 64.

Thursday, July 16: Sun and clouds, with a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm. High near 85, low around 58.

Friday, July 17: Mostly sunny and pleasant. High near 78, low around 58.

Saturday, July 18: Some morning sun, followed by increasing clouds and a chance of showers later in the day. High near 81, low around 61. Old Hallowell Day runs rain or shine, so keep an eye on the sky and bring a light rain jacket.

Sunday, July 19: Clouds mixed with some sunshine. High near 77, low around 60.

Monday, July 20: A mix of clouds and sun. High near 83, low around 61.

Tuesday, July 21: Mostly cloudy, with rain and thunderstorms possible. High near 79, low around 60.

THE DAY TONY LAPRINO SAID YES

Tony LaPrino’s story changed because of one sentence.

He was standing in a half-finished room, watching a builder prepare drywall, when he said, “I’d love to learn how to do this.” The builder asked if he was serious. Tony said yes.

That answer led to hands-on training, years of experience, and eventually North Star Property Solutions. Today, Tony works as a Property Preparation Specialist, helping owners get homes and buildings ready for what comes next.

In Episode 7 of Maine Thrive Voices, Tony talks about the unexpected opportunity that started it all, the lessons he learned along the way, and why showing up and doing the work right still matters.

Listen here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dKoJ792w3kgFZRa9l7oi4

OLD HALLOWELL DAY

What: Hallowell’s signature community celebration, with a parade, pancake breakfast, road race and Kids K, food vendors, arts and crafts, live music, the Sturgeon Search, and fireworks.

Where: Downtown Hallowell. The parade travels along Water Street, with activities centered around Granite City Park and Vaughan Field.

When: Saturday, July 18. The parade begins at 10 AM. Arts and crafts run from 9 AM to 3 PM. Fireworks follow after dark.

Cost: Free to attend. The pancake breakfast is $8 for adults, $5 for children under 12, and $20 for families.

Why go: This is one of the biggest community days of the summer in the Kennebec Valley.

12/OC BENEFIT CONCERT FOR THE TRAVIS MILLS FOUNDATION

What: Maine country band 12/OC performs in an outdoor lakeside setting, with proceeds supporting the Travis Mills Foundation.

Where: Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, 1 Geranium Lane, Sidney.

When: Saturday, July 18. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Music begins at 6:30 PM. Premium ticket holders may enter at 5 PM.

Cost: Ticketed event.

Family friendly: Yes. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket.

Why go: It is a summer concert on the lake that also supports injured veterans and their families.

MID-MAINE FISH-OFF

What: A weeklong catch-photo-release fishing tournament managed through the FishDonkey app.

Where: Any legal fishing water. Registration is handled in the FishDonkey app.

When: Saturday, July 18 at 8 AM through Saturday, July 25 at 5 PM.

Cost: Registration details are listed in the app.

Family friendly: Yes.

Why go: It gives anglers of all ages a full week to fish on their own schedule and compete without needing to gather in one place.

The Maine International Film Festival continues in Waterville through Sunday, July 19, with screenings at the Paul J. Schupf Art Center and the Waterville Opera House. Closing weekend includes the Tourmaline Prizes, recognizing outstanding Maine-made films.

Young filmmakers ages 13 to 18 can take part in MIFF’s Youth Filmmaking Workshop on Thursday, July 16, at the Ticonic Classroom in Waterville.

Waterfront Wednesdays continues in Augusta on Wednesday, July 15, from 6 to 8 PM at Waterfront Park on Front Street. The evening includes free live music and food trucks.

Johnson Hall’s Free Waterfront Concert Series returns to Gardiner Waterfront Park on Friday, July 17, from 6 to 8 PM. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Old Hallowell Day starts early with a Friday-night cribbage tournament at Burano’s Wood-Fired Pizzeria. Sign-ups begin at 5:30 PM, play starts at 6, and the entry fee is $10. Players must bring their own board and cards.

“Fifty Years of Common Ground,” an exhibit celebrating five decades of Common Ground Country Fair posters, is on display in Augusta through August 30. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Gardiner City Council: Wednesday, July 15 at 6 PM in the City Council Chambers, 6 Church Street.

Augusta City Council: Thursday, July 16 at 7 PM at Augusta City Hall, 16 Cony Street.

Waterville City Council: Tuesday, July 21 at 6 PM at the City Hall Annex, 46 Front Street. The meeting is also available by Zoom, with access information included in the posted agenda.

Hallowell and Winslow held their regular meetings earlier in the week. Oakland and Vassalboro meet just outside this edition’s date range and will be included next week.

Kennebec Networkers BNI meets Wednesday at 8 AM at the Thomas College Ice Vault, 203 Whitten Road in Hallowell.

Elm City Referral Source BNI meets Thursday at 8:30 AM at the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, 50 Elm Street in Waterville.

There are no confirmed Business After Hours events, ribbon cuttings, or chamber breakfasts in this edition’s date window.

An Augusta downtown era ends this Saturday.

Riverfront Barbeque and Grille and The Gin Mill upstairs will serve their final customers on July 18, closing out two decades at 300 Water Street. Owner Patrick Quigg is stepping away from the long restaurant hours and making more room for family.

The good news is that the building is not expected to sit empty. Plans call for The Kennebec Room, a comfort-food restaurant on the main level, and The Nightcap Lounge upstairs after renovations.

Twenty years of meals, music, celebrations, and familiar faces deserve a proper send-off. Downtown Augusta is losing a longtime gathering place, but it is also gaining a new chapter in the same historic building.

Construction on the Donald V. Carter Memorial Bridge between Waterville and Winslow has been pushed to later in July because of material delays. When work begins, drivers should expect narrowed lanes first, followed by more significant traffic changes. With the Ticonic Bridge replacement already affecting travel, this crossing matters to thousands of daily commuters.

A long-vacant former industrial property at Summer and Bridge streets in Augusta is now home to Sturgeon Landing, a new 32-unit apartment building. New housing close to downtown adds residents, supports nearby businesses, and puts an underused site back to work.

Kennebec Savings Bank has promoted Natusha Fate to assistant vice president and retail operations director. It is a homegrown advancement at one of the Valley’s longtime financial institutions.

Mid-July is when the market tables really start filling up. Look for early tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, fresh greens, baked goods, and the first Maine blueberries.

Augusta Farmers’ Market at Mill Park
Tuesday, July 21, from 2 to 6 PM
Mill Park Pavilion, 1 Water Street, Augusta

Downtown Waterville Farmers’ Market
Thursday, July 16, from 2 to 6 PM
Head of Falls, 60 Front Street, Waterville

Skowhegan Farmers’ Market
Wednesday, July 15, from 3 to 6 PM
Saturday, July 18, from 9 AM to 1 PM
Somerset Grist Mill, 42 Court Street, Skowhegan

Hallowell Farmers Market
Saturday, July 18, from 9 AM to noon
Stevens Commons, 2 Beech Street, Hallowell

Winthrop Farmers Market
Thursday, July 16, from 2 to 6 PM
Municipal parking lot at Main and Union streets, Winthrop

The Hallowell market makes an easy first stop before the Old Hallowell Day parade begins at 10 AM.

TECH TIP: CHECK YOUR PHONE BEFORE A BIG EVENT

Before heading to Old Hallowell Day or another crowded event, make sure your phone is fully charged and has enough storage for photos and video.

Delete old screenshots, clear out duplicate pictures, and bring a small portable charger if you have one. A little preparation keeps your phone useful for directions, parking information, and family photos instead of turning into a dead weight halfway through the day.

GIVE YOURSELF A LITTLE SHADE

A full day outside can catch up with you faster than expected, especially when you’re moving between pavement, crowds, and open sun.

Take a few minutes in the shade, drink water before you feel thirsty, and don’t wait until you’re worn out to slow down. A short break can make the rest of the day much more enjoyable.

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Saturday’s 12/OC concert at Bowl in the Pines supports the Travis Mills Foundation and its retreat in Rome for post-9/11 veterans injured in service and their families.

Old Hallowell Day gives back too. Proceeds from the pancake breakfast support local hunger relief, and the library book sale helps support the Hallowell library.

It’s a good reminder that a full community calendar can do more than give us somewhere to go. It can also help people who need it.

MEET BISCUIT

Biscuit is a large mixed-breed dog at the Humane Society Waterville Area. He’s almost 3 years old, with a white-and-brown coat and a big heart.

He can be a little shy when he first meets someone, but once he feels comfortable, he’s all in. Biscuit gets along well with other animals and is ready for the chance to show a new family what a good boy he can be.

He arrived at the shelter on July 10 and is currently on the dog adoption floor.

Biscuit may be the new best friend you’ve been waiting for.

Humane Society Waterville Area
100 Webb Road, Waterville
207-873-2430
Animal ID: 59526991

Meet Capone

Calling all big dog lovers; Meet Capone!

Although his size might be intimidating (He's roughly 65lbs), he's a big baby who loves throwing himself against your legs for butt scratches and is happy to meet new people! He loves treats and food- the soft type is some of his favorite. He makes an amazing copilot in the car and will gladly sprawl out in the back seat with the window cracked! He's used to traveling and has behaved well in different settings. He knows sit, down, and has been working on wait. Although he could use a brush up on his leash manners, we've been working on loose leash walking! He loves to go, go, go.

Capone would thrive as the only animal in the home; he much prefers having attention solely on himself. As for children, due to his size/ strength (He forgets how big he is) he's looking for a home with teenagers (15yrs+)!

Interested in meeting the handsomest guy around? Swing on down to KVHS with the whole family to meet him!

Kennebec Valley Humane Society

100 Leighton Rd, Augusta

(207) 626-3491

MAINE BLUEBERRY PANCAKES

Old Hallowell Day starts with a pancake breakfast, and that put me in the mood for blueberry pancakes at home. Maine blueberries are just starting to come in, and the small wild ones are the ones I’d use. They pack more flavor into every bite and don’t overwhelm the pancake.

Makes: About 10 pancakes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1¼ cups milk
1 large egg
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup Maine blueberries, fresh or frozen
Butter or oil for the griddle
Maine maple syrup for serving

How to Make Them

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

In a second bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. A few lumps are fine. Overmixing is how you end up with tough pancakes.

Gently fold in the blueberries. If you’re using frozen berries, don’t thaw them first.

Heat a lightly buttered griddle or skillet over medium heat. Pour about ¼ cup of batter for each pancake.

Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges begin to look set, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip once and cook the other side until golden.

Serve them hot with butter and Maine maple syrup.

Sandy’s note: Keep the first batch warm on a baking sheet in a 200-degree oven while you finish the rest. Don't be like Sandy and eat them as you cook them. I used to get in trouble doing this as a kid.

HELP US KEEP THE VALLEY CONNECTED

Know about an event, fundraiser, community project, business opening, or local story we should include?

Send it our way. The earlier we receive the details, the better chance we have to verify it and include it in an upcoming edition.

You can also help by forwarding this newsletter to a friend who wants to know what’s happening across the Kennebec Valley.

Submit news and events:
207-299-2702 or [email protected]

This edition of the Kennebec Valley Voice is sponsored by North Star Property Solutions.

Tony LaPrino is a Property Preparation Specialist who helps homeowners, landlords, and property managers get buildings ready for sale, rental, renovation, or the next stage of use.

Learn more at nsps.services.

Thank you to Tony and North Star Property Solutions for supporting local news and community information across the Kennebec Valley.

BURANO’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZERIA

Burano’s Wood-Fired Pizzeria is helping Old Hallowell Day start a little early this year by hosting Friday evening’s cribbage tournament.

That is the kind of role a good downtown business plays. It does more than serve food. It gives people a place to meet, supports community traditions, and helps keep Water Street active after the workday ends.

For stepping up as part of one of Hallowell’s biggest weekends, Burano’s earns this edition’s Best of the Region spotlight.

Twenty years is a long time for any restaurant to keep the doors open.

This Saturday, Riverfront Barbeque and Grille serves its final meals on Water Street in Augusta. For a lot of people, it wasn’t just a place to get ribs. It was where they met friends after work, celebrated birthdays, listened to music upstairs, or stopped before heading somewhere else downtown.

Restaurants become part of a city in ways we don’t always notice until they’re about to close. They give us familiar faces, familiar tables, and a place we can walk into without thinking too hard about it.

Owner Patrick Quigg has earned the right to slow down and spend more time with his family. The good news is that the building already has another chapter planned, so this isn’t an empty-storefront story.

Still, twenty years deserves recognition.

To Patrick and everyone who worked there over the years: thank you for feeding Augusta, employing local people, and giving downtown one more place where memories were made.

Scout & I will see you next Wednesday.

The first Old Hallowell Day was held in 1968.

It has been celebrated on the third Saturday in July ever since, making this year the 58th edition of one of the Kennebec Valley’s longest-running community traditions.