Does anyone else feel like April has gone by in a blur? Granted, there is still a week left of early spring in Maine to enjoy (freak Nor’easters and power outages, anyone?), but it feels like summer will be here before you know it. Are you participating in a community clean up or attending an environmental class for Earth Day tomorrow? No matter what you do, be sure to get outside and show some appreciation for Vacationland’s great outdoors. Here’s our roundup for this weekend in Maine: 

Something to Do: 

Still figuring out what you want to do for Earth Day? Organize cleanups around your local streets and parks to take part in L.L.Bean’s Trash Bash! Grab your friends and family to clean up roadsides and beaches, and be sure to bag up the litter you collect. Bring your bags to the L.L.Bean Campus in Freeport (from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or Thompson’s Point in Portland (from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) to trade them in for $10 gift cards from L.L.Bean! Each bag will receive a gift card while supplies last. 

When: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and 1–5 p.m. Friday
Where: 95 Main St., Freeport and Thompson’s Point Road, Portland

Somewhere to Go: 

It’s finally biking season, and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine is ready to help you get out on the road with the Great Maine Bike Swap! This Sunday, head to the University of Southern Maine campus in Lewiston for the first of two bike swaps this year (the other is at the USM Gorham campus in June). Talk to a bike fit advisor to help you find the perfect bike for your needs, and then test it out in the test-ride area. Bike mechanics will be on hand to make sure your ride is shipshape before you take on the road or trail. 

When: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunday
Where: 15 Westminster St., Lewiston

Something to Eat: 

If you’ve jumped on the seaweed bandwagon in the past few years, good news! The fourth annual Seaweed Week, a food and drink festival celebrating the kelp harvest, is back with a kickoff party at Oxbow Brewing’s Portland location from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday. Throughout the ten days of Seaweed Week, take part in events like a beach walk with instruction on seaweed species identification, kelp aquaculture talks, and workshops for cooking with kelp. Plus, be sure to stop at participating restaurants serving special seaweed dishes, or check out seaweed recipes to try at home!

When: Friday, April 22–Sunday, May 1
Where: Participating locations across the state

Something to See: 

In honor of Earth Day, the Portland Museum of Art is offering free admission all day tomorrow! While you wander the galleries, take part in an Earth Day art adventure to discover which pieces in the museum’s collection and exhibits are made from recycled, upcycled, or natural materials. ⁠Plus, the PMA will be announcing the recipients of the Tidal Shift Award, which recognizes emerging youth artists who are using their practice to address the climate crisis. 

When: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday
Where: 7 Congress Square, Portland

Something to Read: 

If you’ve been sleeping on the food scene in Biddeford, this is your wake-up call. Last week, Food and Wine magazine included the former mill town in a roundup of America’s next great food cities under the category of Small Cities with Big Food Scenes. Biddeford’s Magnus on Water, Night Moves Bread, Jackrabbit Cafe, Elda, Rabelais, Palace Diner, and Lorne Wine received a callout from the publication. Take a break from your Portland standbys, and head south to see what the fuss is about. 

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