Halloween
Halloween BooNanza this weekend
DOVER-FOXCROFT — A number of events are planned for Oct. 30-31 as part of the annual Dover-Foxcroft Townwide Halloween BooNanza. A full schedule and more information is available at http://www.boonanza.info.
On Friday, Oct. 30 a Masquerade Dance takes place at the Mill Event Space from 7-10 p.m., supporting the Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance. That evening the Piscataquis Regional YMCA offers child care from 7-10 p.m. for a parents’ night out.
Residents are encouraged to decorate their homes for the holiday, and decorating contest registration forms are available at the town office.
In Sebec Village on Oct. 30 the Reading Room will be the site of a Halloween party from 6-8 p.m. with games and activities and a costume contest.
The Bear’s Den has the Sharon Hood Dixon Road Band performing at 9 p.m., as well as a costume contest.
On Halloween (Saturday, Oct. 31) a full day will celebrate the holiday. The 31st begins with the last day of the season for the Dover Cove Farmers’ Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with hot apple cider and donut holes being served.
The Downtowners host a pet costume contest from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Union Square. Shiretown Pizza will give away a big bag of candy to whoever can guess the closest to the correct number of jelly beans in a jar, on display from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A children’s costume parade travels from the courthouse parking lot to the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church parking lot at 11:30 a.m., with costume judging to follow.
From noon to 4 p.m. children’s games with prizes will be offered in the former Mr. Paperback space, and also starting at noon will be pumpkin decorating and a stockade photo prop set up downtown and hosted by the Downtowners.
The Color of Life Yoga Studio offers fortune teller readings for children beginning at noon. Also at noon Subway offers scary cookie decorating and a coloring contest.
Kids and families can tour the Center Theatre for “Alice in Terrorland” from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
The Living Word Assembly of God hosts a Trunk or Treat, a candy giveaway, in the courthouse parking lot from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for ages 13 and under.
The Color of Life Yoga Studio offers fortune teller readings for adults from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Piscataquis Regional YMCA has a 3K costume run and walk planned for 4:30 p.m., starting and concluding at Union Square.
Teens and adults feeling brave can visit the “Alice in Terrorland” tours at the Center Theatre from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The theatre will also screen “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” with live shadowcast at 10 p.m.
On Halloween night the Bear’s Den will host the band Ruckus performing at 9 p.m., as well as a costume contest.
Scare up some fun
MILO — The Milo Recreation Department will hold its Haunted Halloween celebration on Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Milo Town Hall from 5:30-8 p.m. Admission is by donation. All ages are welcome, children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
There will be a contest for carved (or decorated) pumpkins with first-, second- and third-place prizes. Donated pumpkins for the contest will be available for children 10 and under between 10 a.m. and noon while they last at the Gazebo in Veterans Park.
From 3:30-5:30 p.m. there will be a cider press demonstration by Paul Foulkes in the fire station yard. See how apple cider was made “back in the good old days.” Also hayrides around town depart from the fire station yard (not the haunted hayrides).
The haunted house is spooky fun for all between 5:30-8 p.m. Wear a costume and join the fun — games, candy, crafts, trick-or-treating, decorated/carved pumpkin contest and more.
Haunted Hayrides will be departing from the town hall after 5:30 p.m. — the ride may be scary for little kids. The last hayride departs 7:30 p.m.
FA Alumni Jazz Band at masquerade dance
DOVER-FOXCROFT — One night only! The award-winning Foxcroft Academy Alumni Jazz Band will play the masquerade dance on Friday, Oct. 30 at The Mill Event Space.
A light dinner and cash bar will be available, as well as masks for those who wish to go incognito in the spirit of Halloween. The dance runs from 7-10 p.m. and proceeds will benefit the Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance.
The Alumni Band, including several original members of the acclaimed Foxcroft Academy Dance Band established in 1960 under the direction of Robert Thorne, has a rich and impressive history. The semi-professional band traveled the state for many years, playing dances for high schools and other venues.
The band competed annually at the Maine All-State competition, winning many first-place titles and becoming the dominant force in high school jazz. They went on to compete at the annual North Eastern Jazz Festival held at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, winning first place in 1971 out of over 200 bands.
In June of 1974 the dance band and concert/marching band traveled to Romania, giving performances from near the Russian border to Transylvania, home of Count Dracula, to the Black Sea. They were the first American high school band to represent the Ambassadors of Friendship, a New York based non-profit foundation furthering international understanding through the performing arts.
The band reunited in 1982 under the title of the Foxcroft Academy Alumni Band, and continues to play for wedding receptions, outdoor summer concerts, dances, and at the annual Foxcroft Academy alumni celebration. High school students fill in on occasion, giving them the opportunity to play with an older generation of great musicians and learn old-school big band era music.
Tickets are are available in advance at Pastimes Pub, Foxcroft Catering Co. and the Dover-Foxcroft town office.
Halloween Costume Fun Run/Walk
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis Regional YMCA will celebrate the holidays with its first annual 3K Halloween Costume Fun Run & Walk on Saturday, Oct. 31. The race starts at 4:30 p.m. downtown at Union Square, with registration beginning at 4 p.m., as part of the Dover-Foxcroft Townwide Halloween BooNanza.
Participants in costume can enter for a discounted rate. To register call the PRYMCA at 564-7111 or stop by at 48 Park Street. More information is at www.prymca.org.