By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — There’s no need to travel to Europe for a fantastic fall festival when a person can drive just down the road to Naples, Maine.

Rocktoberfest, the first community celebration hosted by the Naples Events Committee, takes place this Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. in the Causeway District.

“It is timely placed after the major fairs and before Halloween,” according to Events Committee Chairperson Chelsea McKamy.

Rocktoberfest will fulfill year-round residents’ “desire for engagement with a little competition in a desirable location. Match with that, the added surprise of establishments that are normally closed by now” staying open for this festival that is being touted as family friendly, McKamy said.

“We deeply appreciate the risk business-owners are taking in opening, especially for this night or staying open later and hosting this event in their own micro-event ways,” she said.

For example, SunSports+ will have an axe-throwing competition on their property, using the mobile unit of See What Sticks.

“This is an event for the whole family. There is an entire ‘Kidz Zone’ at Capt. Jacks property with bouncy houses, slides and bungie launching. There is local school spirit, a makers’ market. The hours [from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.] are a combination of day and festive night hours, and it is built out for an extended stay and play,” McKamy said. “You can come out and have a little fun, stay for a family meal, engage in a little friendly competition, walk the ‘Nightmarket’ for some hot cocoa bombs, and watch some live music at one of the many venues,” she said. 

“The Amphitheatre has its own set list of local talent featuring a Bavarian band, Sebago Lakes Ukulele Society (SLUKES) a 20-plus person ukulele band and local Maine musician Thomas Charles Clukey,” she said.

To offer another gathering space, both the Songo River Queen II and the Songo River Princess will be docked for people to step aboard and enjoy another ambiance. 

Not only is there no need to travel far for fall fun, but there is no need to worry about finding a parking space. A shuttle bus will shuffle people from place to place. The Songo Queen Shuttle bus will be operating from the parking lot at the American Legion Post #155. Parking is also all along the Causeway, behind Rick’s Cafe, at Kent’s Landing/Naples Town Beach and the Village Green.  

If anyone would like to volunteer for a few hours to act as crosswalk guard, there is shortage. If interested in helping out, please send an email to events@townofnaples.org

To preview a list of activities, musical line up and see sponsors, go to Naples Events Calendar at townofnaples.org or checkout the Town of Naples Facebook page.

“Naples has not had an event like this in a very, very long time,” McKamy said.