Maine Days 2023: April 24-28
The Maine Day Tradition
In 1935 President Arthur Hauck inaugurated MAINE DAY, a day set aside for “spring clean-up” of our campus. The entire campus community – students, faculty, staff, and alumni – pitches in to spruce up the campus. Historically Maine Day was set on Wednesday of the last week of classes of the Spring semester. Over the decades, the tradition transitioned away from its roots and became a large-scale celebration.
In February of 2023, the University shifted to “Maine Days”, a week-long focus on beautification and giving back to campus.
Below you will find a frequently updated schedule of events, athletic games, and service opportunities. Sign up for the parade and for service opportunities at the bottom of this page
Maine Days Schedule
Saturday (April 22)
Hilltop Clean Up Service
Join us in the Hilltop Lot for the first of many service opportunities. Time TBD.
UMaine vs University of Hartford
Join the Baseball team for this double header! Games are at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Location: Mahaney Diamond
Service Opportunity: Maine Days Food Drive
Students will collect food donations at both of the baseball games.
Paint Your Own Tote Bag – 9 p.m.
Happy Earth Day! Join the Center for Student Involvement in the North Pod to decorate reusable tote bags!
Sunday (April 23)
Service Opportunity: Maine Days Food Drive
Students will have the opportunity to collect food donations from 12 – 3 p.m. at the IGA in Orono
Mutts and Music
A 50/50 benefit event hosted by Tau Beta Sigma partnering with the Bangor Humane Society. There will be possible adoptable animals, live music, concessions, a silent auction, and more throughout the day! Location: Mall
Senior Week: Acadia Sunset Trip
A bus will leave from the CCA parking lot to bring you and your fellow seniors to the top of Cadillac Mountain. You will see a fantastic sight of a Maine sunset from one of the most iconic mountains in the state!
Monday (April 24)
Alpha Sig & Delta Zeta Maine Days Tie Dye
Alpha Sigma Phi and Delta Zeta are having a Maine Day tie dye event to raise money for the Black Bear Exchange! There will be custom designed Maine Day t-shirts available for visitors to buy and tie dye! All proceeds go towards the Black Bear Exchange, which is an on-campus food pantry and clothing exchange that works to repurpose goods for university staff and students. Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
RAIN LOCATION: OAKES ROOM IN THE LIBRARY
Recess from Stress
Looking to take a break from stress and get ready for Finals week? Stop by the Coe Room from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. There will be activities such as bubble wrap popping, games, yogibo stations, snacks, and more.
Senior Week: Senior Night at Old Town Bowling
Join the Senior Class Council at the Old Town Bowling Center to participate in some bowling with fellow seniors. Time 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday (April 25)
Senior Week: Rock Climbing at Maine Bound
Enjoy some rock climbing from MaineBound. Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Service Projects around campus
Projects focus on beautification of campus and preparation of the food collected through the food drive. Sign up link: signupschedule.com/maineday
UMaine Baseball vs Merrimack
Cheer on fellow Black Bears at Mahaney Diamond. Time: 4 p.m.
Bubble Soccer TournamentCancelled due to the weather
Join UMaine Student Government for a bubble soccer tournament. See your student activity fee at work. Time: 3 p.m.
Student Life Leadership Awards
The Division of Student Life is proud to celebrate and recognize the phenomenal accomplishments of our students, student organizations, faculty, staff and community partners! Many of our departments offer a variety of awards, all of which have their own guidelines and nomination criteria. We encourage you to nominate any and all who you feel deserve to be honored this year. Time: 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Senior Week: Late Night Zip line Cancelled due to the weather
Enjoy some late-night ziplining and play some lawn games at the Mac court in the Rec center! Time: 7 – 10 p.m.
Wednesday (April 26)
Service Projects
Service Projects in the morning. Today is our biggest day of service opportunities. Sign up link? Signupschedule.com/maineday
Due to the weather, the BBQ has been moved into the York and Hilltop dining halls. Meals are still free for all students, faculty and staff. Join us from 5 – 6:30 p.m. then head over to the Block Party
Join the Campus Activities Board in the Union for carnival games, live music from the band WildSpace, sweet prizes and more. The event runs from 5-7:30 p.m. so pick up your food and join us back in the Union!
Join Alpha Delta in their annual tradition of Oozeball! The day starts at 11 a.m. Sign up at tabling all week long
Thursday (April 27)
UMaine Machias Beautification Day
Interested in cleaning up the Machias campus? Meet outside Kilburn Commons Dining Hall. We are encouraging the community to participate and help clean up sticks, trash, and more around campus. Time: 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Jack Pot Trivia
The Center for Student Involvement is hosting their biggest trivia of the year. Location: Campus Pub (Union). Time: 8 – 10 p.m.
Friday (April 28)
Service Opportunity: Food Recovery
The success of the Black Bear Exchange food pantry is due, in part, to a food recovery program. Donations made by the University of Maine dining halls are collected by sustainability-focused student groups such as The Green Team and Green Campus Initiative (GCI). The student volunteers love and appreciate that the program addresses both social and environmental sustainability. Time and sign up link: https://signupschedule.com/maineday
Williams Hall Dedication
We will dedicate Beryl Warner Williams Hall on our campus. Beryl Warner Williams was born in Bangor, Maine and graduated from Bangor High School. In 1935, Williams was the first Black University of Maine graduate to earn a mathematics degree. Five years later, she also received a master’s degree in mathematics from UMaine. Time: 2 p.m.
Parade
The Maine Days parade is a unique opportunity to highlight student organizations and departments. Groups are encouraged to join us on Friday April 28. Line up for the parade is at 3 p.m. and the parade will kick off at 3:30 p.m. The theme this year is: GO BLUE! The parade will start outside of Versant Astronomy Center and will end in the Alumni Hall parking lot.
Dodgeball Tournament
Step on up with your best team to defeat other groups on campus. The dodgeball tournament is hosted by UMaine Student Government. Time 4 p.m.
Saturday (April 29)
Service Opportunity: Service projects in our community
Service Projects in the Community in the morning. Sign up link: signupschedule.com/maineday
UMaine Softball vs Binghamton
Join the softball team in their new stadium as they take on Binghamton. Time: 12 p.m.
Summer Kick Off on the Mall
Join UMaine Student Government and the Center for Student Involvement for an afternoon of games, good food, and music! Time: 12 – 3 p.m.
Lavender Graduation
Lavender Graduation is hosted each year by the Rainbow Resource Center as a send off to the members of our community who are graduating. It began as a way of honoring members of the LGBTQ+ community who may not have families that accept their gender and/or sexuality, and may not have anybody coming to Commencement to celebrate with them. Time: 2:30 – 6 p.m.
Senior Week: Senior Sendoff
We have a formal from 4 to 6 pm to wrap up Senior Week. There will be catered food, a cash bar, music, and some words from Dr. Dana! It is cocktail attire, and every Senior is welcome to bring a plus one! It will take place at the Buchanan Alumni Hall.
Maine Days Service Sign Up
Sign up to volunteer during Maine Days at signupschedule.com/maineday.
Parade information!
The Maine Days parade is a unique opportunity to highlight student organizations and departments. Traditionally this event kicks off Maine Day, however this year we are using as part of our celebration. Groups are encouraged to join us on Friday April 28. Line up for the parade is at 3 p.m. and the parade will kick off at 3:30 p.m. The parade will start outside of Versant Astronomy Center and will end in the Alumni Hall parking lot.
The theme this year is GO BLUE!
Want to submit an event?
Are you hoping to host an event during our Maine Days? Contact us at benjamin.evans@maine.edu for next steps in submitting the proper form!
Maine Day Parade Signup Form
Harm Reduction
A huge part of the Maine Days is making sure students are staying safe while honoring this long standing tradition. Check out some of these tips provided by the Student Wellness Resource Center which can help you prepare for the Maine Days.
Watch out for these signs of: Alcohol Overdose