With so many ways to spend your precious weekend time, let Portland Old Port give you the low-down on the top five happenings on the Peninsula, Friday through Sunday.
1. Get down at the Portland BBQ and Blues Festival
Where: Maine State Pier on the Portland Waterfront
When: Friday- Sunday, 20th– 22nd
Cost: $10 per day in advance, $15 per day at the gate
The summer’s coming to an end and you’ve had your fill of lobster rolls and instrumental guitars. Mix it up with this 3-day BBQ and Blues festival on Portland’s Maine State Pier. With over 15 bands playing, and food provided by Portland’s beloved Blue Rooster Food Co and the “travelling barbecue team” Skin & Bones, this is a bargain at $10-15 a day. Set against the backdrop of Casco Bay, it’s a blend of traditional Maine beauty with uniquely American food and music. Local artists will be selling their wares, and the event benefits the Good Shepherd Food Bank. What’s not to love?
2. Join in Portland’s Second Annual Park(ing) Day
Where: Metered parking spots around Portland
When: Friday, September 20th
Cost: Free to see, $15 to claim a spot and participate
Mainers are once again getting involved with the quirky national event, Park(ing) Day. In cities all over the country “artists, designers, and citizens” are claiming metered parking spaces to set up temporary public parks for the day. Started by the San Francisco art and design studio, Rebar, their mission is to “call attention to the need for more urban open space… at least until the meter runs out!” You can find the list of participants here, and it looks like it’s not too late to join on your own.
3. Do a wine tasting at Browne Trading Company 
Where: Brown Trading Market, 262 Commercial St.
When: 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, 1:00pm- 5:00pm
Cost: Free to the public
If you’ve lived in Portland long enough, you’ve no doubt heard of the quality products from Browne Trading Company. While their offerings like “the finest caviar in the United States” and “Jade Tiger Live Abalone” may be out of your budget, the price is right at their bi-monthly free wine tastings. Each tasting has a theme, with past events featuring sparkling wines, Old World Classics, and the Wines of Austria. Follow Browne Trading’s Facebook page to see what this Saturday will offer.
4. Get the funk with Lyle Divinsky and Robert Randolph at The Asylum (18+)
Where: The Asylum 121 Center St.
When: Saturday, September 21 8:00 PM
Cost: $24 via ticketweb
Mark my words: GO TO THIS. Lyle is a native Mainer who spends the majority of his time in NYC, but graces Maine’s music scene in the warmer months. If you’ve missed his funkified Model Airplane Mondays at The Big Easy every week, you are truly missing out. This is his last show before leaving our fair state, and the fact that he’ll be joined by the funk/soul band Robert Randolph & the Family Band only makes this event more fantastic. Bottom line: if you like to get funky, this is where you’ll be come Saturday.
5. Honor your inner child with Maurice Sendak at the Portland Public Library 
Where: Lewis Gallery, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square
When: Daily until October 25
Cost: Free
The Portland Public Library and MECA are honoring the 50th anniversary of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. What a great chance to see an art show that you don’t have to lie about enjoying or understanding! The exhibit includes original paintings and illustrations from the author, alongside quotes from well-known people who were inspired by Sendak. Make a day of it by hitting up Wannawaf for a Cheeky Monkey Waffle across Monument Square to really please your 10-year-old self.
[fb-comments height=”70″ posts=”3″ borderFBC=”no” variant=”light”]