How Bangor Celebrates Stephen King's Birthday Weekend

A year ago this month, the folks who own Bangor's 2 Feet Brewing on Columbia Street decided to throw a first-of-its-kind birthday bash in the Queen City to honor Maine's most famous horror writer, Stephen King.

Nit-Noi Ricker is one of the owners of 2 Feet Brewing and has not only been an avid reader all of her life, but also a huge Stephen King fan.

2 Feet Stephen King Birthday Party, Cori Skall

Last year, Ricker got together with some local downtown businesses and came up with the idea of hosting a community birthday block party event for the man who for many years made Bangor his home.

The event was held on King's actual 78th birthday, September 21st.

Stephen King Birthday Bash, Courtesy of 2 Feet Brewing

Highlights of last year's event included a creepy carnival that ran the length of Columbia Street and nearby Cross Street, a costume parade, and a "Derry, Maine" themed beer garden.

This year, they plan to go even bigger and better, with Stephen King's 79th Birthday Carnival.

The response to the first birthday bash was so huge that Ricker said organizers have expanded it to run the entire weekend of King's birthday this year, from September 18th through September 20th.

"We're celebrating Stephen King's 79th birthday with a 3-day party!"

The weekend will kick off Friday, September 18th, with a book signing featuring Bram Stoker Award-winning author Tom Deady, who wrote "40 Years of Pennywise," from 6-8 PM at The Emporium Spooky Goods & More, located at their new storefront at 51 Main Street.

"The book brings together 33 authors, artists, scholars, and publishers to examine King's 'IT.' "

Saturday, September 19th will be full of fun, starting with a "Stephen King Roadshow Appraisal" event from 9 AM to noon at Nocturnum Draft Haus at 56 Main Street.

"Jake from Jake's Rare Books, similar to 'Antiques Roadshow' but with Stephen King items, will help determine if items are authentic and if they have a real King signature. He'll provide market value estimates for your Stephen King items and offer tips to properly preserve and care for books and other items."

From noon to 3:30 PM on Saturday, in the parking lot off of Columbia Street, there will be Stephen King-themed "photo booths".

Also starting at noon and going until 5:30 PM, they'll be featuring the "Dollar Babies Come Home Film Festival back at The Emporium Spooky Goods and More, 51 Main Street.

"Mental Health Warrior Max Blaska from Madison, Wisconsin, is returning to Bangor to host the 'Dollar Babies Come Home Film Festival.' Stephen King’s 'Dollar Baby' program allowed aspiring filmmakers to adapt his short stories for $1. The program ended in 2023, but 100s of short films were made...The film fest program will center on mental health and bullying since September is suicide awareness month. NAMI Maine will be on hand to provide resources."

Another nod to King's literary prowess that's been added this year is a talk with three "King" authors that they're calling "Author's Alley" that will be taking place from 1 -4 PM at the Nocturnem Draft Haus.

"Caroline Bicks is the Stephen E. King Chair in Literature at the University of Maine at Orono. She has published a book called 'Monsters in the Archives' [which King himself said was] 'the best book about my process that I have read.' Bram Stoker Award-winning author Tom Deady will be on hand to sign "Still Floating: 40 Years of Pennywise," along with other contributors to the compilation book. And... Sharon Kitchens will have her popular 'Stephen King's Maine: A History and Guide,' which gives you a look around the state King calls home. "

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Saturday afternoon, the Derry, Maine Beer Garden will open from 4-8 PM. This is the only event for which you need to purchase a ticket (and obviously be 21 years of age). It will take place in the parking lot on Columbia Street, across from 2 Feet Brewing.

"The Derry, Maine Beer Garden will feature brews from 2 Feet Brewing, Bangor Beer Company, and other Derry, Maine-area breweries, and each ticket holder will get a one-of-a-kind souvenir Derry, Maine beer goblet. Stephen King-themed appetizers will be served in the garden, along with birthday cake."

"The Oriental Jade, which in Derry is called the "Jade of the Orient," and 2 Feet will supply Stephen King-themed appetizers, and, of course, there will be birthday cake for the city's most famous resident."

On Sunday, September 20th, a Stephen King 79th Birthday Carnival and "Pet Sematary" Pet Parade will take place on Columbia Street. Folks can take part in free creepy "old-timey" carnival games and dress up as their favorite Stephen King character as they parade up and down the roadway.

"Plus, vendors like The Emporium Spooky Gifts and More and the Not So Empty Nest will be on hand for those looking for the perfect King-themed item. Sawyer's Hawaiian Shave Ice & Coffee and Salt & Cedar Kitchen will be back again to provide carnival fare."

"Expect creepy clowns, gunslingers, and bloody prom dresses, along with some Stephen King-themed amusements.

The event is sponsored in part by 2 Feet Brewing, SK Tours of Maine, and In Derry, Maine (a T-shirt company), along with local attorney Zachary Smith and Birchbrook

"Everything is free except the beer garden, thanks to community supporters."

As was the case last year, Mr. King has been invited to attend his Bangor bash, but whether he will show up or not, that remains to be seen.

To learn more about Stephen King's 79th Birthday Carnival and reserve your tickets for the Derry, Maine Beer Garden, click here.

Stephen King's Bangor

Thousands of King fans visit Bangor every year, and it seems all of them go to his house on West Broadway. (Yes, that's on the list.) But the city features many landmarks that appear in some shape or form in one or more of King's stories.

Gallery Credit: Jeff Tuttle