Visit Freeport presents the 28th Annual Sparkle Celebration. The Parade of Lights is back to kick off the festivities on Friday, December 3 at 6pm and is followed by Santa leading a countdown to bring the talking Christmas tree to life.

The Talking Christmas Tree chats, sings, tells jokes and more! Don’t believe us? Visit us and hear this merry little tree for yourself!

You may also encounter Freeport’s Stealth Elf! This sneaky little rascal visits every year and surprises jolly shoppers with free gift cards to Freeport businesses.

Tripadvisor recently included Freeport among the Top Ten Fastest Growing Winter Destinations Worldwide for Americans. Visit us this holiday season to experience the magic of winter in Freeport.

Please join us in supporting our nonprofit partner, Partners for World Health, on Thursday, May 19 at its signature event, Blue Wrap Project Runway, featuring a list of exceptional talent, fantastic fashions, and a night to remember.

PWH: Helping people lead healthy lives on a healthy planet!

Tickets are on sale here: https://boxoffice.porttix.com/blue-wrap-project-runway-merrill-auditorium-portland-maine/3394 

We are pleased to offer our valued readers a promo code for a 15% discount! Enter code BLUEWRAPFRIENDS in the Promo Code box at the top of the registration page.

Mark your calendars! The 18th annual STRIVE Rocks is taking place from Friday, May 20th at 8pm to Saturday, May 21st at 8am on Zoom! This all night event is full of special guests, games, music, and more. STRIVE Rocks supports the work of STRIVE, a South Portland based non-profit that supports tweens, teens, and young adults with intellectual disabilities. Visit striverocks.org for more information or to register today!

On Thursday, June 2, join our nonprofit partner Spurwink for the 2022 Humanitarian Awards, celebrating leaders whose work exemplifies Spurwink’s mission and values. Founder of MaineWorks and co-founder of the Maine Recovery Fund Margo Walsh is being honored as the 2022 Humanitarian of the Year for her commitment to reducing barriers and providing employment opportunities for individuals impacted by substance use disorder and felony convictions. Join for mocktails, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, an auction, and an interactive mosaic art project.

Link: www.spurwink.org/humanitarian

You Can’t Stop the Beat! HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon is back on tour! Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960’s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world? Featuring the beloved score of hit songs including “Welcome to the 60’s,” “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” HAIRSPRAY is “fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!” (The New York Times). 

Join us for a festival centered around supporting small businesses and the local community! Shop from a wide variety of Maine & New England’s small businesses and food trucks, discover local community resources and enjoy a variety of great family friendly entertainment!

Friday 4-7 PM

Saturday 9-6

Sunday 9-3

Open Garden Days, the Belfast Garden Club’s signature summer event series, kick off Friday, June 24, with the spectacular garden of Sally and Charlie Lewis-LaMonica, two masters in the culinary arts.

The Lewis-LaMonica garden at 2 Northport Ave. in Belfast will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is $5. It is the first of 10 private gardens the club will showcase this season on most Fridays from June 24 to August 26. Highlights include lavish residential displays as well as the striking gardens at the Penobscot Shores oceanfront retirement community in Belfast and at Oak Hall estate in Bayside.