2021 Festival of Lights: once again, Rotary Club of Bangor is taking the parade on the road!

Bangor, Maine – As cases of coronavirus continue to impact our communities, Rotary Club of Bangor is planning to, once again this year, hold its Festival of Lights event in lieu of the traditional holiday parade. Held in partnership with Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, Downtown Bangor Partnership, and Links Web Design, Rotary Club of Bangor invites businesses, non-profits, private homeowners, municipal organizations, and entire neighborhoods to create festive and colorful light displays at their own locations, and the public can view them at their leisure. Announcing the 2021 Festival of Lights!

From December 4 through January 2, the public is invited to drive by participating homes and organizations and enjoy light displays from the safety of their own vehicles. Then, cast your vote for your favorites by visiting bangorrotary.org or visitbangormaine.com. There will be five categories to vote on, with the top vote recipient being honored with Best Overall. The competition categories are:

  • Outstanding Non-Profit display

  • Outstanding Residential display

  • Outstanding Commercial display

  • Outstanding Municipal display

  • Outstanding Neighborhood display

  • Best Overall/Fan Favorite (most overall votes)

Trophies will be awarded to all winners and a $500 cash prize to the light display voted Best Overall!

Maps with directions to participating locations will be provided on the websites listed above.

In addition, Rotary Club of Bangor will again dress up the downtown Bangor holiday tree with updated lighting and decorations. We will light the tree on Saturday, December 4 in West Market Square to officially kick off our community-wide competition.

Join us! Get creative with a joyful light display of your own, then hit the road with your loved ones and friends to celebrate the holidays with Bangor Rotary Club’s Festival of Lights!

For more information or to sign up to participate, visit bangorrotary.org or call Roland Narofsky, Chair, Bangor Rotary Festival of Lights Community Competition, at 207.745.2597 or emailrnarofsky@mainesavings.com

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Media interested in covering this story are welcome to contact Jesse Moriarity at JesseM@UnitedWayEM.org or Bob Potts at rpotts@northernlight.org.

2021 Festival of Lights: once again, Rotary Club of Bangor is taking the parade on the road! 2021-09-18 04:00:00Z 0

Bangor Rotary Club announces 2020 Festival of Lights winners

Rotary Club of Bangor is pleased to announce the winners of their Festival of Lights holiday light show competition held throughout December. The club sponsored the activity in place of their usual holiday parade to allow the public the chance to enjoy the season while keeping safe from COVID-19.
 
In partnership with Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, Downtown Bangor Partnership, and Links Web Design, Bangor Rotary invited businesses, non-profits, private homeowners, and municipal organizations to create amazing light displays at their own locations, and the public voted on their favorites. Of the more than 70 participants, the displays receiving the most votes are:
  • Best Commercial entry: General Electric (GE)
  • Best Residential entry: "As many lights and decorations as possible... National Lampoon Style", 227 Clyde Road, Bangor
  • Best Non Profit entry: Kid’s Peace
  • Best Municipal entry: Bangor International Airport
  • Best in Show (top overall vote recipient from all categories): Hathaway Holiday Lights
  • Club Pick (top vote recipient as voted on by Rotarians): Christmas at Kandy’s, East Summer Street, Bangor
Plaques will be awarded to all winners and a $500 cash prize will be presented to Hathaway Holiday Lights for being voted best overall display!
 
In addition to sponsoring the Festival of Lights competition, the club invested in new lighting and other decorations for the holiday tree located in West Market Square in downtown Bangor. Rotary Club of Bangor wishes to thank our sponsors who made the event possible: Darlings; Edward Jones, the office of John Byrne; Maine Savings Federal Credit Union; Visiting Angels Assisted Living Services; Northern Light Health; Versant Power; TD Bank; Bangor International Airport; Cyr Bus Line; Holly Taylor, Realtor–The Masiello Group; Links Web Design; Jan Currier, Realtor; Leadbetter’s Super Stops; Memory Maker Photography; Lee Chick; Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau; and the Snowman Group Printers. Proceeds from the event helped cover the cost of new decorations at West Market Square, and fund scholarships for both traditional and non-traditional students in our region.
 
Congratulations to all winners, and a sincere thank you to all participants who helped make the 2020 holiday season brighter for all!
Bangor Rotary Club announces 2020 Festival of Lights winners 2021-01-05 05:00:00Z 0

29 Years of Providing Scholarships to Bangor Area Students!

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For 29 years the Rotary Club of Bangor has been granting scholarships to area students as they head off to college. In recent years, we have seen tremendous growth in support of our Annual Festival of Lights which in partnership with club contributions and grants has generated more than 15K to support our Scholarship program this year alone. Thank you to our 2020 Festival of Lights Sponsors for helping us to continue and expand this tradition of giving. In an effort to strengthen our local economy, provide opportunities for career growth, and to help local employers find the skills they need close to home we are going bigger than ever with our scholarships this year! For the first time, we will be supporting not only students attending traditional four year colleges, but also those that are planning on attending technical schools and non-traditional students (those returning to school after a time away, or adults attending for the first time)! 
 
(photo is of 2019 recipients, 2020 presentation was done via Zoom)
29 Years of Providing Scholarships to Bangor Area Students! 2020-12-05 05:00:00Z 0 festival of lights,scholarships

Join the Rotary Quarter Mile!

On this World Polio Day, October 24th, the Area 9 Rotary Club of Bangor, Rotary Club of Bangor Breakfast, and Rotary Club of Old Town are committing themselves to raise awareness, funds, and support to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.  Join us on Saturday, May 22nd 2021 for the Rotary Quarter Mile!

Join the Rotary Quarter Mile! 2020-10-27 04:00:00Z 0

2020 Festival of Lights: we’re taking the parade on the road!

Happy Holidays! In lieu of our usual Festival of Lights parade, Rotary Club of Bangor is pleased to offer this fun, festive, and safe alternative for 2020.

First, we would like to thank all those who registered to participate. Without them, this would not be possible! We appreciate the time, imagination, and effort each of our entrants put into creating their presentations. May the best light display win! We would also like to thank our partners in this effort: Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, Downtown Bangor Partnership, and Links Web Design. Thank you for your support!

Voting has now closed. Winners will be announced SOON! 

2020 Festival of Lights: we’re taking the parade on the road! 2020-10-20 04:00:00Z 0

Join our Caring Caravan!

Members of the Rotary Club of Bangor will be collecting food and monetary donations to support area food banks on Thursday May 28th from 3-7pm.
Join our Caring Caravan! John Byrne 2020-05-20 04:00:00Z 0
Festival of Lights Parade, December 7, 2019 James R Westhoff 2019-10-01 04:00:00Z 0
Puerto Rico Water Project Update! 2019-03-19 04:00:00Z 0

Festival of Lights Parade Winners

With fantastic weather and a enthusiastic participants, I think that it is safe to say that everybody was a winner at this year's Festival of Lights Parade. Be that as it may, we do have some trophies to award to the following presenters:
Festival of Lights Parade Winners 2018-12-04 05:00:00Z 0

Bangor Rotary New Member Orientation

Posted by James Westhoff on Aug 14, 2018
The Bangor Rotary Club will have a New Member Orientation on September 7th from 4:30pm-6:00pm at Machias Savings Bank, 581 Wilson St. on the top floor.
Bangor Rotary New Member Orientation James Westhoff 2018-08-14 04:00:00Z 0

Music Off Broadway 2018 Facebook Page

Bangor Rotary's Music Off Broadway for 2018 is going to be  spectacular show.  This is our signature fundraiser and the amount of preparation that goes into this show is substantial.  Tickets will go on sale, May 1st for this show.  Click here to like our Facebook event page.  This year's show will be held at the Gracie Theater, Husson University on June 14, 15, and 16.
Music Off Broadway 2018 Facebook Page James Westhoff 2018-04-17 04:00:00Z 0

Rotary Grant Application 2018

Applications are now being accepted from non-profits who want to apply for a Rotary Grant.  Click here to download the Bangor Rotary press release describing how to apply for these grants.  Grant applications are due  on June 15, 2018.
Rotary Grant Application 2018 James Westhoff 2018-04-15 04:00:00Z 0

2017 Festival Lights Parade Huge Success

Rotary Club of Bangor would like to thank everyone for participating in the Parade this year.  Thank you to our many volunteers that helped make the parade possible.  Thank you to the downtown businesses that added festivities to the day and made their facilities available for this event.  Thank you to the Bangor Police Department and the Public Works for all of your hard work and help. 
 
We had 83 floats participate in the parade this year.  The weather was excellent.  Approximately 16,000 spectators in attendance.
 
The judging results are in and the Trophy winners are as follows: Congratulations!
  • Best overall entry – Dennis Paper & Food Service
  • Outstanding Non-Profit – KidsPeace
  • Outstanding Youth Group – Girl Scout – Troop 860 - Levant
  • Outstanding Commercial Entry – Dennis Paper & Food Service
  • Outstanding Performing Entry – Morita’s School of Dance
  • Outstanding Adult Group – Eastside Center for Health & Rehabilitation, LLC.
  • Outstanding Band – Pride of Madawaska Marching Band
 
Trophy winners please contact Roland Narofsky at rnarofsky@mainesavings.com to make arrangements to get your trophies.
 
A special THANKS to the parade sponsors: 
Event Sponsor – WABI-TV5.  Community Pillar Sponsor - Emera Maine.  Supporting Sponsor - Pulse Marketing Agency.  Print Sponsors – Print Bangor & Bangor Letter Shop
2017 Festival Lights Parade Huge Success James Westhoff 2017-12-04 05:00:00Z 0

Presidential Transition

Looking back on a year of service, and looking ahead to new leadership, President Greg Choquette says 'Thank you' and welcomes in Bev Uhlenhake as our new President.
Presidential Transition 2017-06-29 04:00:00Z 0
Happy & Sad Dollars 6/27/17 2017-06-29 04:00:00Z 0

Community Service Projects

In recognition of Rotary Club of Bangor’s 100th year of service to the citizens of Bangor and surrounding communities, Rotarians are participating in several community service projects each month throughout 2017 to commemorate the club’s centennial year. 
Community Service Projects 2017-05-03 04:00:00Z 0
Music Off Broadway: A Centennial Celebration! 2017-04-13 04:00:00Z 0
2017 Music Off Broadway-- A Centennial Celebration Cintia Miranda 2017-03-16 04:00:00Z 0

Festival of Lights Parade a Success!

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Rotary would like to thank everyone for participating in the Parade this year.  Thank you to our many volunteers that helped make the parade possible.  Thank you to the downtown businesses that added festivities to the day and made their facilities available for this event.  Thank you to the Bangor Police Department and the Public Works for all of your help. 
Festival of Lights Parade a Success! 2016-12-07 00:00:00Z 0
Festival of Lights 2016-11-18 00:00:00Z 0

Festival of Lights Parade

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The Rotary Club of Bangor will host its annual, Festival of Lights Parade, on Saturday, December 3, 2016, beginning at 4:30 pm along Main Street in downtown Bangor.   
Festival of Lights Parade 2016-11-07 00:00:00Z 0

Bangor Area Rotary Clubs Present the Purple Pinkie Project
 

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The Rotary Clubs of Bangor, Bangor Area and Old Town are joining forces to host the Purple Pinkie Project celebration during the month of October in recognition of World Polio Day, which takes place Oct. 24. All activities are meant to raise awareness of Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide and to raise money -- $1 at a time – to go toward that global effort.
Bangor Area Rotary Clubs Present the Purple Pinkie Project  2016-10-17 00:00:00Z 0

Polio Eradication - "You can do it"

Posted by Scott Boucher
After 30 years of hard work, Rotary and it's partners are on the brink of eradicating this horrible disease.  A strong push is needed now to root it out once and for all.  It is a window of opportunity of historic proportions.
Polio Eradication - "You can do it" Scott Boucher 0
Magic of Motown Scott Boucher 0

Rotary Club of Bangor Will Raise Funds for Children and Seniors

Posted by Scott Boucher
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The Rotary Club of Bangor is scheduled to present its 8th annual Music Off Broadway production on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, April 14 at 3 pm at Bangor High School’s Peakes Auditorium.  This year’s theme is the Magic of Motown: The Start of Country and Rock.
Rotary Club of Bangor Will Raise Funds for Children and Seniors Scott Boucher 0
Service Above Self Scott Boucher 0
Bangor Rotary River Boat Cruise Scott Boucher 0

Come Join Us

Posted by Scott Boucher

This is the song written by Jerry Mills which was inspired by RI President Ray Klinginsmith and the work of Rotarians worldwide. The video was produced by Rotarian Bob Gallagher with full cooperation from Jerry Mills.


Come Join Us-EN from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Come Join Us Scott Boucher 0
Rotary Club of Bangor awards scholarships to high school graduates Scott Boucher 0
Bangor Rotary Hosted the Festival of Lights Parade Scott Boucher 0
Charles F. Bragg 2nd Rotary Club Leadership Award Scott Boucher 0

Bangor Rotary presents grants to six local nonprof

Posted by Scott Boucher
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BANGOR – The Rotary Club of Bangor presented more than $18,000 in grants to six local nonprofits at their weekly luncheon on June 8th.  Rotary Charitable Giving Committee Co-Chair Scott Boucher made the check presentations. The proceeds represent funds raised from the fifth annual "Music Off Broadway" show held in March.

Bangor Rotary presents grants to six local nonprof Scott Boucher 0
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