SKOWHEGAN — The Annual Maple Festival, set for March 15-23, is a week long celebration of everything maple, leading up to Maine Maple Sunday. The following events are planned:

Saturday, March 15

Pickup Cafe Maple Brunch Specials, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. The Pickup Cafe will offer brunch specials with a maple theme.

Maple marshmallow roasting and maple cotton candy, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Skowhegan Farmers’ Market. Roast maple marshmallows over an open fire or grab some maple cotton candy while visiting the farmer’s market. Proceeds will benefit Main Street Skowhegan.

Talent Show, 7 p.m., Skowhegan Opera House, above the municipal office, 225 Water St. Featuring entertainment from stand-up comedy to music. Suggested donation is $5, accepted at the door. To participate, call Midge of Midge’s Theatre Arts Studio, at 431-0511.

Sunday, March 16

Maple Brunch Specials, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Pickup Cafe. Brunch specials with a maple theme.

Aaron McKusick opening reception, 3-5 p.m., Central Maine Artists Gallery, 72 West Front St.

Monday, March 17

Cookie decorating for children, 2:30-4 p.m., Main Street Skowhegan Cookie Decorating, Main Street, above The Bankery and Skowhegan Fleuriste.

St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl, in the evening at multiple locations. Bloomfield’s will have a disc jockey and will offer green beer. Children eat free all day at the Old Mill Pub, where a $25 gift certificate will be given to the participant showing the most Irish pride. Heritage House will have themed cocktails and more.

Tuesday, March 18

Pancake Pandemonium Family Story Hour, 4:30p.m., Skowhegan Free Public Library. Families listen to stories and havepancakes with Maine maple syrup.

Thursday, March 20

After School, Kids’ Hiking Event, call the Skowhegan Parks and Recreation Department for details at 474-6501.

Maple sap collecting, 3-4 p.m., Chez Lonndorf, Burrill Hill Road, Skowhegan/Norridgewock town line. Collect maple sap with Iver Lofving at Chez Lonndorf. Park on the side of the road and meet at the sugar house. For more information, contact Lofving at 474-7370 or ilofving@msad54.org.

Theatrical Singing, 3-4 p.m., Redington Memorial Home. Midge’s Theatre Arts Studio students will sing songs from Robin Hood.

Free Jazz Concert, 7 p.m., Skowhegan Free Public Library.

Friday, March 21

Book Reading, 10 a.m., The Children’s Cottage. Reading by Midge’s Theatre Arts Studio students.

Lunch and Dinner, maple themed meal specials. Participating restaurants: Old Mill Pub, Heritage House, Kel-Mat Cafe, Whit’s End Grill and Bar, or The Pickup Cafe.

Saturday, March 22

Maple breakfast, 7-10 a.m., Tewksbury Hall, behind the Federated Church. Enjoy a maple-centric breakfast. Cost $5 for adults, $3 for children.

Country Crow Primitives Springtime Celebration, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Country Crow Primitives. Celebrate Country Crow Primitives’ at 61 Water St. with specials, refreshments and prize drawings.

LaCasse Bats Grand Slam Opening Weekend, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., LaCasse Bats, 4 Madison Ave. Baseball bat artisan LaCasse is celebrating the grand opening of his store with giveaways and specials all weekend. The Maine Meal will offer free samples.

Maple Cook Off, noon-2 p.m., Franklin Savings Bank. Compete or judge to find out who can prepare the best maple-themed dish. Winner gets a prize. $5 entry fee. To register, contact Stacy DeMerchant at s.demerchant@franklinsavings.com or 474-5574 ext. 2616.

Beer, Wine and Food Tasting, 4-7 p.m., Masonic Hall. Somerset Lodge 34, 196 Water St. Hosted by the Rotary Club. Tickets cost $15. Proceeds will benefit heating assistance for the elderly. There will be a 50/50 raffle to benefit Main Street Skowhegan. More than a dozen local restaurants will participate, as well as Oak Pond Brewing Company, Bigelow Brewing Company, Ass over Teakettle Bloody Mary Mix, and Cayford Orchards with their new hard cider. For those 21 and older. Advance tickets can be purchased through any Rotary Club member or at the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce.

Comedian Bob Marley, 8 p.m., Skowhegan Opera House, 225 Water St. Tickets cost $24 and are available at Skillings State Farm Insurance, Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce, and through Bob Marley’s website.

Sunday, March 23

Maine Maple Sunday, all day, throughout Maine. Visit maple producers in the area for tours and samples: Tessiers Farm, Chez Lonndorf and many more listed on the Maine Maple Sunday website.

For more information on these events and updates can be found at mainstreetskowhegan.org/maplefest.php.