Bath celebrates Autumnfest on Saturday with a number of events including Citizen Involvement Day, the Bath Literary Festival, the North Front Street Block Party and more.
“There’s a bunch of different events that are happening,” said Becky Welsh of J’Adore Consignment, who is chairwoman for the Main Street Bath portion of the festivities.
The festivities kick off at 9 a.m. with a 4-Way 5K run/walk sponsored by the Bath Rotary Club. The race will begin and end at the Knights of Columbus Building at 807 Middle St. Pre-registration is $20, while same- day registration is $25. Students can register for $10. Registration is from 7- 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot.
“Citizen Involvement Day is a community building event that brings awareness about service organizations to the public and honors individuals and groups that work to benefit the city of Bath and its residents,” says a statement on the city’s website.
More than 40 area nonprofits and groups in Waterfront Park will talk about what they do. At noon, awards will be given out, including Citizen of the Year.
Patten Free Library and the Mustard Seed Bookstore will be collaborating to host the first annual Bath Literary Festival in Waterfront Park at the same time as Bath Citizen Involvement Day.
“We thought it would be a good idea to have it the same weekend as Autumnfest, because there would already be people coming to Waterfront Park,” said Adult Services Manager Leslie Mortimer.
The inaugural theme will be Maine mystery writers. Ten mystery writers from Maine — including Gerry Boyle, Kate Flora, Lea Wait and Bruce Coffin — will be on hand in the morning to visit with people and sign books.
“We’re hoping it’s going to be really fun,” said Mortimer.
The Mustard Seed will sell the books of the attending authors, with proceeds going toward Patten Free Library.
The Bath Parks and Recreation Department will host their annual scarecrow-making event on the Customs House Lawn from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The department will provide the body, hay and markers, but participants must bring their own clothes and accessories.
The North Front Street Block Party will take place for its second year from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“I just started this last year, because I said to Jake Korb, ‘I’m going to have a street festival,’” said Welsh. “And he said, ‘No you’re not.’ He always kind of tried to reel me back, but I said ‘I’m going to do it anyways.’ It was a success, so they allowed me to do it again.”
The block party will have live music courtesy of the steel drum band Steelin Thunder, pumpkin bowling and more. There will also be a window decorating contest for downtown businesses, judged by a panel dressed as characters from “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
In addition to those set activities, local businesses will have their own demonstrations and deals all day long. Customers can also receive gift certificates for shopping locally.
Go to visitbath.com for a full list of activities and attractions.
nstrout@timesrecord.com
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