Mills inaugural party to include music, food from across Maine

AUGUSTA — The inaugural celebration for Gov.-elect Janet Mills Friday, Jan. 4, will feature Maine musicians as well as food and beverages from the state’s 16 counties.
The celebration will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at the Augusta Civic Center.

“The Inaugural Celebration is about paying tribute to our great state,” said Mills in a news relesase. “What better way to do that than to showcase Maine’s extraordinary musical talent along with food and drink from every county?”
The celebration will be emceed by Blake Hayes and Eva Matteson of Coast 93.1. In line with past practice, the black-tie optional event is by invitation only. Costs are covered by a $20 ticketing charge, as well as by donations raised through the Mills Inaugural Committee.
Central and western Maine musicians at the event will include GoldenOak, sibling duo, Zak and Lena Kendall, who are ofrom the Sandy River Valley and now live in Portland and the Maine Music Society Chamber Singers, who have performed at the summer L/A Art Walks, the summer Wednesday Noonday Concert series at the Basilica of Ss Peter and Paul and other Lewiston-Auburn area events.
Food will include:
* MASHED POTATO BAR featuring: Potatoes from Pineland Farms in Mars Hill; bacon from The Bacon Man in Dedham; cheddar cheese from Pineland Farms in New Gloucester; butter and sour cream from Oakhurst Dairy in Portland; and dipping sauces from Stonewall Kitchen in York.
* MEAT CARVING STATION featuring: Top round beef from Bubier Meats in Greene; ham from W.A. Bean in Bangor; bread rolls from Apple Shed Bakery in Kents Hill; and sauces and condiments from Raye’s Mustard in Eastport.
* SAUSAGE STATION featuring: Sweet Italian and hot Italian grilled sausage from Mailhot Sausage Co. in Lewiston and condiments from Raye’s Mustard in Eastport and Stonewall Kitchen in York.
* SMOKED SEAFOOD BAR featuring: Smoked mussels, smoked scallops, smoked shrimp and smoked salmon from Duck Trap in Belfast; Lobster Bites from Shannon’s Unshelled in Boothbay Harbor; and Mustard from Raye’s Mustard in Eastport.
* MAINE CHEESE SPREAD featuring: Katahdin Cheddar Cubes, Kennebec Dill Cubes, Glen Cove Gouda and Bacon Dry Jack Wedges and Wheels, and Boursin and Horseradish Spread from State of Maine Cheese Company in Rockport; and baguettes from Spruce Mill Farm and Bakery in Dover-Foxcroft.
* VEGETABLE CRUDITE SPREAD featuring: Cherry tomatoes from Backyard Farms in Madison; and carrots and tadishes from Stonecipher Farm in Bowdoinham, among other vegetables.
* DESSERT STATION featuring: Whoopie Pies from Wicked Whoopies in Farmingdale; Homestead Pies from The Homestead in Farmington; Blueberry Bites, Apple Bites and Triple Chocolate Bites from Izzy’s Cheesecake in Portland; Needhams from Linda’s Gourmet Chocolates in Norway; Cupcakes from Hello Good Pie in Belgrade.
* BEVERAGES INCLUDE: Red and White Wine from Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville; Tumbledown Red from Tumbledown Brewing in Farmington, Mountainside IPA from Rising Tide Brewery in Portland; and Mo Pale Ale from Maine Beer Company in Freeport. Additionally, Moderation Brewing of Brunswick has brewed an Inaugur-ale in honor of the Inaugration while Coffee By Design in Portland is also designing a special coffee brew. Lastly, a signature cocktail called The Governor Janet with prosecco and Maine blueberries from Blue Hill Berry Co. in Penobscot.

PHOTO: GoldenOak, siblings Zak and Lena Kendall, from Franklin County, will perform at the Inaugural Celebration Jan. 4. (Submitted photo)