Brunswick, Maine: A Town Transformed

Brunswick, Maine is a vibrant and attractive place to live, work, and visit. The community is home to Bowdoin College and is known for its cultural arts scene, including the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, the Pejepscot Museum, and the Skolfield-Whittier House. Throughout the year, Brunswick hosts a variety of events such as the Father-Daughter Valentine Ball, the Brunswick Bike Rodeo Family Safety Day, and Halloween celebrations like the Goblins Parade and the Creepy Creature Party.

At the time of this search in April 2024, upcoming events in Brunswick include the Theater Project Annual Auction, the Midcoast Tree Festival, and the Brews for a Cause: Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. There are also regular activities like Bingo Night at the Social Goose Bar, Happy Hour at Social Goose, and various fitness classes and wellness workshops.

Events at the Brunswick Downtown Association

The Brunswick Downtown Association (BDA) is a member-driven, action-oriented organisation that supports the community and businesses in Brunswick, Maine. The BDA hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including:

Annual Meetings

The BDA holds an annual meeting to celebrate the successes of the past year and look ahead to the new one. The event includes food, drinks, and the presentation of three prestigious awards: Volunteer of the Year, Business of the Year, and a third award that changes annually.

Longfellow Days

Longfellow Days is an annual month-long programme that celebrates the work of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who was born in Maine. It includes poetry readings, lectures, tours, and parties. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Longfellow Days, with events taking place throughout February.

BDA Events

The BDA also hosts a range of other events throughout the year, such as art walks, music performances, and community gatherings. For example, the BDA recently hosted an event called "Get Fit and Have Fun for Free in January," which offered free exercise classes to the community.

Community Events

The BDA partners with other local organisations to promote community events in Brunswick. These include bingo nights, happy hours, mindfulness courses, and educational lectures on various topics such as local history and health.

Fundraisers

The BDA also participates in and promotes local fundraising events, such as the Trek Across Maine, a 3-day, 180-mile bike ride to raise money for the American Lung Association.

Annual events like the Brunswick Bike Rodeo Family Safety Day

The Annual Brunswick Bike Rodeo and Family Safety Day is a fun, community-oriented event that promotes bicycle safety and awareness of local safety organizations. This event is perfect for families, with activities for both children and adults.

The Bike Rodeo offers a range of attractions, including bicycle safety inspections and registrations, a fun and educational bicycle obstacle course, and family safety booths. It also features special guests like McGruff, Slugger, and Sparky the Fire Dog, as well as a bounce house and performances by groups like the Woodside One Wheelers.

The event is typically held in May, with a rain date scheduled for the following day. It takes place at the Brunswick Recreation Center, with free entry and exciting giveaways like bicycle helmets and new bikes.

The Bike Rodeo is organized by the Brunswick Parks and Recreation Department and other local groups, who work together to create a fun and educational experience for the community. It encourages families to bring their own bikes or borrow one at the event to ride through the course.

The Annual Brunswick Bike Rodeo and Family Safety Day is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, learn about safety, and enjoy a day filled with entertainment and activities. It reflects the town's commitment to creating a safe and engaging environment for its residents.

Monthly events like Bingo Night @ Social Goose Bar

Bingo Night at Social Goose Bar is a fun, community event that takes place on the last Tuesday of every month in Brunswick, Maine. The event is free and welcomes all ages to join in on the fun. Social Goose Bar is a family-friendly local sports pub, open 7 days a week, offering a simple yet delicious menu and a variety of beer options. The bar also has 2 coin-operated pool tables and several arcade games, including Buck Hunter and Golden Tee.

During Bingo Night, guests can enjoy 5 exciting rounds of Bingo, with the chance to win fantastic prizes. The bar offers happy hour specials and deals on selected nights, so players can enjoy their favourite drinks at a discounted price. Social Goose Bar is the perfect spot for a fun night out with friends and family, with a lively atmosphere and plenty of entertainment options.

In addition to Bingo Night, Social Goose Bar also hosts a variety of other monthly events, such as:

• Game Night: A family-friendly game night is held every Tuesday, where guests can enjoy a range of board games and bring their own games too. The bar offers special deals on appetizers, kids' meals, drinks and beer pitchers, making it an affordable and fun outing for the whole family.
• Happy Hour: Social Goose Bar hosts Happy Hour from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Guests can enjoy weekly changing food and drink specials, such as the $10 Smash Burger and $5 Titos drinks.
• Musical Bingo Trivia: A fun twist on the classic game, with music and trivia elements added to the mix. Crooked Keg hosts this event, and college students can enjoy a $2 discount on their orders.

Brunswick's wide sidewalks host a variety of artists and musicians

Brunswick, Maine, is a hub of artistic and musical talent, with its wide sidewalks often playing host to a variety of artists and musicians. The Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival, held annually since 2007, is a celebration of the arts on Maine Street. The festival features a diverse array of fine art, from jewellery and ceramics to photography and painting, with over 100 artists and artisans displaying and selling their work. This year's festival will take place on Saturday, August 17, and admission is free.

In addition to the annual arts festival, Brunswick also hosts the 2nd Friday Brunswick ArtWalk four times a year. These events take advantage of the town's wide sidewalks to showcase a variety of artists, musicians, and entertainers. The ArtWalk includes artist displays on the sidewalks and in downtown galleries, retail shops, and restaurants. Each month, a different area of Brunswick is highlighted, with unique shops and dining options to explore. The next 2nd Friday Brunswick ArtWalk will take place on September 8, from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Brunswick is also home to several notable arts and culture venues, including the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, the Lemont Block Collective, and the Points of View Art Gallery. The town's vibrant artistic community is supported by organisations such as the Brunswick Downtown Association, which aims to foster a great place to live, work, and visit.

The town also boasts a thriving music scene, with events such as the Bowdoin International Music Festival, which brings together musicians from the world's finest conservatories and ensembles. The festival offers world-class education and performances, with over 175 free events for audiences to enjoy. Brunswick is also home to the Maine State Music Theatre, the premier professional music theatre in the state, attracting audiences of over 58,000 during its three-month summer season.

Annual meetings like the Brunswick Downtown Association Annual Meeting

Annual meetings like the Brunswick Downtown Association's Annual Meeting are a great opportunity to celebrate the members, volunteers, and community of Brunswick, Maine. The BDA's mission is to promote Downtown Brunswick as a vibrant and attractive place to live, work, and do business.

At the annual meeting, new board members and officers are announced, and volunteers who have gone above and beyond in supporting the BDA's mission are honoured. The event also includes delicious appetizers and a cash bar.

The BDA's annual meeting is a great opportunity to network with other members of the Brunswick community and learn about the latest developments in the downtown area. It is also a chance to recognise and thank those who have made outstanding contributions to the community.

The BDA's annual meeting is typically held in January, and in 2022, it took place at Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe. The BDA also produces videos for their annual meetings, such as "The Pride of Our Community" for their 2019 Annual Meeting. These videos showcase Brunswick and its businesses and are available on the BDA's website.

In addition to the annual meeting, the BDA hosts and supports various events and initiatives throughout the year, such as Longfellow Days, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in February 2024. The BDA also promotes local businesses, including those selling upcycled and antique goods, and highlights holiday attractions like the Downtown Brunswick "Lights of Hope" display.

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