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People looking for a way to celebrate New Year’s Eve without spending money can find a variety of celebrations in central Maine, including Auburn’s birthday bash kick-off, quiet meditation in Augusta and a potluck at the Lakes Region Recovery Center in Bridgton on New Year’s Eve, and free hiking at five state parks on New Year’s Day.
In Auburn, the city’s first-ever New Year’s Eve celebration, to kick off the city’s 150th year-long 2018 birthday party in 2019, begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 1 a.m.
Food and drink will line Main Street, organizers, said, including food trucks from Cook’s Lobster, House of Bacon and Pinky D’s, and outdoor bars from area breweries. Bands scheduled to play include the L-A Harley Band, Justin & Shelly Carver and Hello Newman!
The event is free to the public, and there will be fireworks at midnight.
In Augusta, the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 69 Winthrop St., is inviting people of all faiths to walk an indoor labyrinth, which will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight.
“People of all ages and all faiths or no faith are invited to engage the ageless New Year’s custom of releasing the old and welcoming in the new throughout the evening,” church organizers said. “This sacred/secular celebration will be hosted by the local multi-faith community.”
An interfaith fellowship will also be held from 8 to 9 p.m.
In Bridgton, the Lakes Region Recovery Center, 25 Hospital Drive, is holding a pot luck party from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. It is open to all, and those coming are welcome to bring a favorite dish. Sign up at LRRCbridgton.org or Facebook Lakes Region Recovery Center.
On New Year’s Day, five Maine state parks are taking part in the National Association of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes. Last year, nearly 55,000 people across the country collectively walked more than 133,000 miles on the guided hikes, including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, on New Year’s Day.
First Day Hikes in Maine will be at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal, Holbrook Island Sanctuary in Brooksville, Lake St. George State Park in Liberty, Lily Bay State Park in Greenville, and Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park in Freeport.
For more information, visit www.maine.gov/dacf.
