Friday Free Afternoon

Friday Fun – Portland

As is our tradition here, there is a break in the programming on Friday to let you explore the city and surrounding area.

Talks end at 12:30 pm and a variety of options await you starting with an afternoon of exploration, continuing with a social at the historic Gulf of Maine Research Institute (tickets required), and finishing with the Beneath the Waves Film Festival (also at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, available to all meeting participants, but you must sign up for a session at registration).

Phase I – Exploration

Both outdoors and indoors, there’s lots to do on a Friday afternoon in Portland (click here to see our list of activities). For all exploration activities (except the tour of the Coastal Studies Center) you are on your own as there is plenty of good information available to guide you and many sites are within an easy walk or cab ride.

Field Trip to Bowdoin College's Coastal Studies Center (CSC)

Visit the CSC on scenic Orr's Island for a tour of the lab and, Mother Nature permitting, explore the 5 miles of coastal trails by snowshoe or cross county ski. We will have the afternoon for attendees to explore the 118 acres of land on which the CSC is situated. We will have refreshments and snacks when you come in from exploring and transportation will be provided. Space is limited on our buses and tickets will need to be purchased in advance. We are capping participation to 100 participants. Tickets must be purchased during registration ($10). We will have you back to the hotel in time for the social and Beneath the Waves Film Festival.

Phase II – BEM Happy Hour

A wine-and-cheese/beer-and-chips social will be held from 4:30 to 7:00 pm at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, just a short 5-minute walk from the hotel on Portland's working waterfront. Entry includes a drink ticket and snack. Tickets ($10) are required, but general access to the building will begin in conjunction with the film festival (see below) at 7:15 pm with a cash bar. The Institute's lovely views of Portland Harbor and Casco Bay available throughout the evening in the Institute's three floor atrium (see Program for more details and map).

Phase III - Beneath the Waves Film Festival

There will be three showings of the film festival at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 pm. Admission is free, but you must choose a showing when you register, so please think ahead (e.g., dinner plans, outings). You are welcome to linger in the Institute before or after the show. Click here for more information on the film festival.