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Bath‑Brunswick‑Topsham Chamber Unveils Fall Events and New Initiatives
Bath, ME – The Bath‑Brunswick‑Topsham Regional Chamber of Commerce announced a slate of community events and several new programs designed to strengthen local businesses and civic engagement this fall. The chamber’s executive director, Cory King, outlined a series of family‑friendly gatherings, a new “Town Hall” forum for business leaders, expanded candidate interview videos, and registration opportunities for internships and the annual Merrymeeting Tree Fest.
Saturday’s Three‑Day Community Lineup
The chamber highlighted three events scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12:
Brunswick Downtown Association Community Barbecue – From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event will offer free burgers, hot dogs, bounce houses, face painting, and a tribute to first responders. The family‑friendly gathering is free and open to all ages.
Brunswick Landing Block Party – Running from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the block party features food and music from Wild Oats Bakery & Deli, Flight Deck Brewing, and new vendor Morning Glory Natural Foods.
Pints on the Pier – A 21‑plus beer‑festival fundraiser at the Maine Maritime Museum, this event will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Attendees can sample more than a dozen beers, ciders, and local foods while enjoying live music.
Chamber Town Hall Series
King revealed plans for a weekday evening “Town Hall” that will bring chamber leadership, local lawmakers, and business owners together for a two‑hour conversation. The inaugural event, likely to be hosted by a Bath business, will feature a 20‑minute presentation on new business laws, workforce program updates, and a 2027 outlook, followed by a Q&A session.
“We intend to bring it to several of our other 15 communities that we represent,” King said. “The goal is to hear what matters most to local businesses and to guide the chamber’s focus accordingly.”
Once the first Town Hall is launched, the chamber will coordinate a membership drive in the hosting community and roll the format out to other towns.
Expanded Candidate Interview Video Series
The chamber’s bi‑annual “Meet the Candidates” program is set to return this election cycle. Rather than a single, short “Meet the Candidates” event, the chamber will produce 10‑ to 12‑minute virtual interviews with every state‑house and state‑senate candidate in its 16‑community region. With roughly 20 candidates, the videos will offer voters a clearer sense of each contender’s priorities. The chamber plans to release the interviews two to three weeks before Election Day.
New Registration Opportunities
Connecting to Tomorrow Internship Host Sites
The chamber’s partnership with the United Way of Mid‑Coast Maine is launching a third school year of grant‑funded paid internships for high‑school students. Companies that wish to host interns must conduct entrance and exit interviews and avoid assigning tasks such as sweeping. Interested employers should contact [email protected] for more details.
Merrymeeting Tree Fest
The annual holiday festival, held the week before and after Thanksgiving at the Brunswick Landing Y, is accepting registrations for tree and wreath donations and event sponsorships. The chamber will host 55 tree spaces, 20 wreaths, and a range of sponsorship levels. Applications are available on the chamber website at www.midcoastmaine.com under the “Merrymeeting Tree Fest” link.
Looking Ahead
The Bath‑Brunswick‑Topsham chamber’s upcoming initiatives underscore its commitment to keeping local businesses informed and connected. From family‑friendly festivals to direct engagement with lawmakers and a robust candidate interview program, the chamber aims to support economic growth while fostering community dialogue. Residents and businesses interested in any of the events or programs can find further information on the chamber’s website or by contacting its executive office.
