Outdoor Market this weekend

DIXFIELD -- This Saturday and Sunday, the Main Street Outdoor Market Committee and the Dixfield Historical Society have teamed up to offer a variety of events and activities.

Highlighting the festivities is Sunday's Main Street Outdoor Market, when some 50 booths from crafters, service agencies, community organizations, school groups and others will offer foods such as lobster rolls, barbecued chicken, fried dough, french fries and lemonade, and hand-made jewelry, locally-produced maple syrup and a multitude of other items will cover most of the sidewalks on Main Street from the Bangor Savings Bank to Old Chapel Antiques from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

New this year is a silent auction of about 30 bicycles the Dixfield Police Department has accumulated. That takes place in the parking lot next to to the former Holmes Market. Also new are psychic readings, massages and collection of nonperishable foods for the local food pantry. The food pantry is also sponsoring a silent auction of a handcrafted doll house that is on display at Log Cabin Craftworks.

Members of the River Valley Farmers Market will offer fresh produce and meats at the Bangor Savings Bank parking lot.

The American Legion will hold nickel bingo, Ludden Memorial Library will have its annual book sale, and the 20th Masonic District Association will provide a free child identification program, also at the library, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children may be fingerprinted and a DVD of the child's interview will be given to the parents, all at no charge.

On Sunday, the society will be holding a food and book sale, raffles, and tours of the museum house and the John L. Towle Antique Tool Museum. Samples of handiwork from local crafters are also being requested for loan or donation. A display of the many handicrafts made throughout the area will be available. Please drop off your sample at the town office by Friday.

A chicken barbeque, sponsored by King Hiram Masonic Lodge 57, will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the flea market on Sunday on Main Street.

The meal also includes beans, coleslaw, rolls, coffee, punch and cookies. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children under age 12.

Music at The Gazebo will be the Hot Flash Band from noon to 2 p.m. and Sammie Angel from 2 to 4 p.m.

A foot race, one mile and 5K, for children and adults begins at the Gazebo at 7:30 a.m. Contact Paul Jones at 562-7172 for more details.

The Dixfield Historical Society will also hold an open house with dozens of artifacts on display from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as a bake sale.

A huge auction will take place at 5 p.m. on Sunday at the American Legion on Main Street. A preview of the auction will begin at 1 p.m., which includes antiques, collectibles, tooks, furniture, housewares, glassware, vintage signs, jewelry, gold and more.

Mike Kent will be the auctioneer, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Legion. There will also be concessions, a 50/50 drawing, as well as a $100 door prize.

They are still accepting vendor applications. Call 562-7478.

Clarke said all proceeds from renting spaces at the Outdoor Market will go toward community projects such as the Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Walk, the library and the historical society.

On Saturday, the Dixfield Historical Society will offer its fifth Annual Antique Road Show from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Main Street museum Charter Meeting Room. Appraiser Tim Gould from Smithfield will appraise items from the public for a fee of $5, or three for $10.

The Al Larsen Festival of Flowers will be accepting entries from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday for display at the Sunday events. You can win a blue ribbon for your beautiful arrangements. Free entry.

The River Valley Animal Advocates will hold their annual yard sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday at the corner of Weld and North streets.

This is a fundraiser to benefit their 2012 spay/neuter and rabies shots program for area cats. Donation of items for the sale are welcomed. To arrange for pickup, call Becky at 597-2323 or Brenda at 562-7316.