HISTORY, COMMUNITY AND CULTURE IN THE HILLS
Festivals & Events
Our history, our planet and the bounty of our area are celebrated annually with the Winter Carnival, Earth Day, and the Foothills Food Festival.
Winter Carnival celebrates the joy of the season with snow related events such as the Mellie Dunham Snowshoe Festival, ski races, fat bike races, and sledding at Roberts Farm Preserve and Shepard’s Farm with many other supporting activities on Main Street. The ten day event coincides with the school district’s winter break.
Ice Fishing Derby is held on the lake in February. Many community events punctuate the year, reminders of Norway's small town charm.
Earth Day is an annual event driven by the Center for an Ecology Based Economy and Alan Day Community Garden partnering with other organizations throughout the community. It boasts a parade, music, and many other activities bringing people together to celebrate the planet.
July brings summer guests and the Norway Music and Arts festival, a daylong event celebrating music and arts in our community.
Summer brings a bounty of gifts produced locally which are focused at the Foothills Food Festival held in August at the height of the harvest season. First started in 2016, it has grown into an event which showcases local food, local beer, and local music. It is a must for local residence and visitors alike!
Halloween Fest offers family-themed activities along the length of Main Street, with Main Street businesses and organizations opening their doors to join in the fun.
Maine's largest Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce, marches through downtown Norway on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
December’s first Friday starts the holiday season with the monthly wine tasting at Fiber and Vine, the lighting of the tree at Butter’s Park, and Santa’s visit at the Norway Fire Department, the Norway Memorial Library’s Annual Holiday Party, gallery openings, and more. The second Friday is Norway Downtown’s sponsored holiday events, with shops remaining open late for customer convenience. As has been since 2011, the second Saturday in December is Shop Local on Main Street with Norway Downtown reusable shopping bags being given to customers.
Keep up with events throughout the year on Norway Downtown’s Facebook page and grab a copy of the Advertiser Democrat for its community calendar and its annual Summer Guide.
