September in Ogunquit - Full of Fall Festivals & Events

Ogunquit is a great year round destination  - there's so much more than the beach. At the Meadowmere, we get very excited at our hotel to celebrate Fall. Autumn has such beautiful colors in New England and Southern Maine is full of reasons to enjoy the cool nights and warm days.

Here are favorites at our hotel for spending September in Maine - our top things to do in Ogunquit as Fall begins:

 

1. Labor Day Fireworks! September starts with a bang! September 4th get up to Ogunquit early for the holiday and enjoy the fireworks and reggae band. On Saturday - a special sidewalk sale means you can get a litle something for you this back to school season.

2. Almost Labor Day Auction at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art. With delicious food, wine, silent auction, and a live art auction this is some Labor Day grown up fun. This year, the auction is September 5th. For more information 207-646-4909.

3. Capriccio Keyboard Concert. Ogunquit Performing Arts has an outstanding series of concerts and event - this one features a great hour of organ and piano music featuring six pianists and organists taking place at the Ogunquit Baptist Church. Take in the music September 6th at 6pm. For more information: 207-646-2160.

4. Take a Walking Tour of Ogunquit to learn about the history of our village. Departing from Katie's on Shore Road at 9:30am on September 8th, then followed by Open Houses at many of Ogunquit's Historic Places from 11am to 3pm, and later, a Gallery Talk at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art at 7pm by guest curators Sam and Sheila Robbins. Our little seaside Maine village has a lot to offer - first settled in 1620, we've got lots of stories to share!

5. Sometimes the sound of singing is all you need. See a special a cappella performance by The York Singers, conducted by Dr. William Whieting. They'll be presenting a program of English Folk and Part-Songs on September 10 at the Dunaway Center at 7:30pm.

6. The Annual Kite Festival is a do not miss. With kite kits for kids and professional flyers demostrating flying techniques, you'll spend much of the day at Ogunquit Beach enjoying the spectacular sights of over 300 kites filled the sky. The Kite Festival on September 12th is sponsored by Ogunquit Rotary Club. Another treat - From 5-8pm on the same day, the Ogunquit Art Association will host one of their legendary gala receptions to celebrate the Fall Exhibitions and meet the artists. A fabulous day in Ogunquit!

7. The Lighthouse - its romantic, its rugged, its comforting. Something about those beacons shining thru the mist, the rain, the night. We love 'em here in Maine. So we've got a whole day dedicated to Lighthouses - come to Maine on September 12 and celebrating Maine's Lighthouse Day with specials tours, talks and even special open houses at our most famous lighthouses. Call 207-646-2939 for more information.

8. Last Chance! September 18th is the last day for taking a Walking Tour of Ogunquit (for this season). So plan to start at 930am at Katie's on Shore Road to enjoy the sights, then head over to the Ogunquit Baptist Church to hear  "For the Love of Ogunquit" featuring books by local authors and about the local area from 12 to 2pm.

9. The Annual Antique & Art Sale & Show is a treasure hunt like no other. In its 35th, this event is a must for treasure seekers and helps support the Ogunquit Heritage Museum. Happening both Saturday and Sunday, September 19& 20 from 10am - 4pm. For those who appreciate antiques and some of the finer things in life - But really for anyone who likes to discover a find! - you'll see period pieces, lovely jewelry, art, furniture and linens (the linen guy is famous in these parts!).

10. PunkinFiddle Means Family Fun! This annual treat is a Laudholm Farm's fall festival celebrating the harvest, crafts, art and nature. With live music, kids activities, nature walk set at Laudholm Farm's beautiful yellow farmhouse and barns, mark September 26th on your calendar and head to our Ogunquit hotel and Wells to enjoy with kids of any age.

 

Quick Ogunquit Trip on your mind?

Last minute getaway? We just tweeted and made an updated on Facebook too about a last minute deal at our Ogunquit hotel (if you are interested - you can find the Meadowmere on Facebook or on twitter with a click). But in case you are not yet getting our updates that way - we wanted to post a quick blog. We've got 30% off tonight and tomorrow night at our hotel. That means rates starting at $169 for last minute same day reservations. Seemed like good enough stuff to share here too!

Don't worry - our print n clips will still be on our hotel's blog. This is a just a special with the heat wave burning up New England (we've even heard that a few communities have had their pools shut down due to the economy) and everyone needs to get a little relief.

So if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen - or house, office - wherever you are - and come visit Ogunquit. Where the ocean and the pool are cool.

Taste's Top 10 Maine & NH Restaurants for August

The votes are in!

1. Café Mediterraneo, Portsmouth, NH
2. The Black Trumpet, Portsmouth, NH
3. Jumpin’ Jays, Portsmouth, NH
4. Anneke Jans, Kittery, ME
5. The Green Monkey, Portsmouth,NH
6. Ristorante Massimo, Portsmouth, NH
7. The Portsmouth Brewery, Portsmouth, NH
8. Bella Luna, Portsmouth,NH
9. Blue Sky, York Beach, ME
10. Brazo, Portsmouth, NH

Quite a mix there - looks like a few Mainers slipped in this time! Yeah Mainiacs! If you haven't found Anneke Jans yet, that's ok - it's pretty well hidden. A very discreet black awning marks this restaurant in downtown Kittery. Where you say? How does one even get to this alleged center of Kittery from the ? Why would one go there with all the great restaurants in Ogunquit?

First, yes, a Kittery center is real. It's fairly small, but huge on charm and in great proximity to Portsmouth, York & Ogunquit. Getting there is half the fun - Route 103, Route 1, coming across the eastern most bridge in Portsmouth. All are scenic drives past attractions and beautiful sights.  Rather than get into specific directions, Anneke's is at 60 Wallingford Sq.

Second, yes, you do want to give this place a try. The mussels are delicious and for some reason (perhaps because of the neat presenation, maybe just that they are so darn good), we crave their fried olives. Little light pieces of heaven on a pedestral. Needless to say, it's a small place - so make reservations - even on a weekday, even off season. Rather tight waiting area and they get busy. Better to know that they know you are coming, than discover our friends have no space for you! (And after you found it too!)

So next time you are up at our Ogunquit hotel, visit the desk. We'll help get you there  - maybe even make a reservation, You know - for a fried olive, anything possible! :)