BOWDOINHAM
The Ice and Smelt Festival is scheduled to take place Feb. 3 and 4 at Mailly Waterfront Park. The snow date is Feb. 5.
The Merrymeeting Arts Center will host a public reception from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 3. The reception will include a reading and storytelling of “Smelt Makes Ice” from “Local Myths” by Bryce Muir.
Works by local artists for the exhibit “ Ice Cutting & Smelt Fishing: Winter on Merrymeeting Bay,” sponsored by the arts center in collaboration with the Bowdoinham Historical Society, will be on view. Refreshments will be served.
A dance for all ages will follow the reception. Dancing will run from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 3 at Bowdoinham Town Hall.
Events on Feb. 4 are scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include games and contests, culminating in a Carnivale of Smelt, a costumed parade staged by Ziggurat Theatre Ensemble.
The first contest to be announced is the Best Beard Contest. This contest was originally held 50 years ago and is being held again by special requests of many townspeople. Prizes in multiple categories will be offered.
The events hosted by the Merrymeeting Arts Center will signal the official start to the 250th Bowdoinham anniversary celebration. Additional events are scheduled throughout 2012.
For more information about anniversary events, go online to www.bowdoinham250.org.
Merrymeeting Arts Center is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and other hours by appointment. For more information, call Lee Parker at 841-5914.
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