What with the library's book sale, the pie-baking contest, the parade that features wacky neighborhood floats, the food at every corner, the parties and music that goes on all day and long into the night, Hallowell's the place to have fun today. For those of you not in the know about the annual customs of the state's smallest city, it's Old Hallowell Day, and it starts with a 5k road race and ends with fireworks, and in between, there's a lot of fun.

Get to the book sale early and bring a big bag. The proceeds support one of the state's most beautiful small libraries. And when all the revelry starts to get to you (marking you as someone not from Hallowell), head with one of your new books over to Vaughan Woods, where miles of hiking trails through the cool forest, along with fabulous streamside spots to perch and read your book, offer just the quiet respite that overtired partygoers need.