Augusta, ME - If you're looking for a great way to spend a weekend, below is a list provided by the Gulf of Maine River Herring Network of upcoming river herring festivals that celebrate the annual migration of blueback herring and alewife.
You'll have a chance to witness the remarkable spring migration, run or bike along migratory routes, learn about restoration efforts, fish passage improvements, alewife research, and the cultural importance of river herring to Maine's tribal communities.
- Benton Alewife Festival, May 17, 11am-3pm: https://townline.org/events-benton-alewife-festival-to-be-celebrated-on-may-17-2025/
- Blackman Stream - Maine Forest and Logging Museum, Alewife Day, May 17, 10am-3pm: https://umaine.edu/mafes/event/alewife-day/
- Skutik River Alewife Run, Sipayik to Forest City, May 24: https://www.mitsc.org/news/2025-skutik-river-alewife-run
- Pennamaquan Alewife Festival, May 24, 10am-5pm: https://greenhorns.org/alewife-festival/
- Damariscotta Mills Run with the Alewives, May 24: https://damariscottamills.org/run-with-the-alewives/.
- Orland alewife festival, May 24, 10am-2pm
- Bagaduce alewife celebration, May 25 from 11-2 at Pierce’s Pond in Penobscot, ME: https://www.worldfishmigrationday.com/event/bagaduce-alewife-celebration/
- Brunswick Dam fish viewing station, May 1st through early June, Wednesday-Sunday from 1-5pm
- Penobscot Running of the Alewives, Penobscot Nation Farm, May 31, 12-5pm: https://www.penobscotnation.org/event/running-of-the-alewives/
Other resources for learning about river herring:
- Maine Rivers - Alewife Trail Map
- Gulf of Maine River Herring Network - Tools for Communities
- Maine DMR - Maine River Herring Fact Sheet