Was anyone else pleasantly surprised to learn that yesterday was National Dog Day? While many of the holidays that crop up every single calendar day seem arbitrary at best (looking at you, National Zipper Day), it’s hard to not get behind one completely dedicated to furry friends. Did you get on the pandemic puppy train and adopt a dog in the past year? If you answered no but are ready to take the plunge into pup-parenthood, check out some of the animal shelters in Maine. Plus, you can head up to Brunswick this Saturday for the Dog Days of Summer, a fundraising event to build a larger animal shelter for Midcoast Humane. Whether you’re a dog person, cat person, or are happiest without fur all over your couch, clothes, and car, here’s our roundup for this weekend in Maine:

Something to Do: 

Postponed from last weekend due to tropical storm Henri, the Tender Table Food and Poetry Fair is happening this Saturday at Congress Square Park in Portland! Running from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., this community event will feature local dishes and poetry by Mainers of color, celebrating and honoring the importance of storytelling and food in Black and Brown communities. The event is free and open to the public, with food and merchandise available for purchase. 

Somewhere to Go: 

Biking and coffee seem to go hand in hand these days, proven by the recent opening of 93 Main Electric Bike Cafe in South Portland. At the bike shop (selling and renting e-bikes) and coffee shop, you can now sip fresh coffee and enjoy a bagel while browsing the wares or waiting for your bike to be serviced! With items like artisanal balsamic popcorn and a prosciutto and brie sandwich on the menu, it seems like a no-brainer that this will be a hangout spot to meet new bike buddies. 

Something to Eat:

Have you still never experienced one of the most Maine activities in one of the most Maine places? Well, now you can! Every Tuesday for the rest of the summer (what little is left of it!), the New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket is hosting lobster bakes at the River Drivers Restaurant! Held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the restaurant’s deck, which looks out on Millinocket Lake with Mount Katahdin in the background, the lobster bakes are available by reservation only. Call 207.723.8475 by 8 p.m. on Monday night at the latest to reserve your spot, and be sure to pack your bib.

Something to Drink: 

If you are a part of the gluten-free community and also harbor a deep love of beer, you’re in luck! Lucky Pigeon Brewing Company, Maine’s first dedicated gluten-free brewery, opened in Biddeford last week. Using ingredients like rice, millet, and buckwheat, all the beers at Lucky Pigeon are 100 percent gluten-free. Head to Biddeford to try their line-up of brews, including Rock Dove, an intensely hoppy New England IPA, and Little Brown Job, a brown ale with hints of chocolate and roasted nuts. Cheers! 

Something to Look Forward to: 

Throw on your elbow and knee pads, it’s time to skateboard! This Sunday, head to the South Portland Community Center for the SoPo Skatepark Fundraising Skate Jam from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be food trucks on hand, activities for the little ones, and winners of the ongoing online auction will be announced! Plus, ramps will be set up for a free skate, and there will be a contest for those brave enough to show off their skills. Please note: if you intend to skate, helmets are mandatory. Embrace your inner Tony Hawk this weekend, and help the South Portland Department of Parks and Recreation reach its fundraising goal!

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