Annual Champion the Cure Weekend Kicks Off Saturday

Brewer, ME · August 21, 2026

Late August breeze is cooling down the riverfront this morning. Plenty of local energy lined up as we head into the weekend.

The Lead

The region’s largest grassroots fundraiser returns this weekend as the annual Champion the Cure Challenge kicks off at Northern Light Health’s Lafayette Center on Whiting Hill Road. Now in its 15th year, the flagship event brings together thousands of local runners, walkers, cyclists, and community supporters to raise vital funds for cancer care and clinical research right here in Penobscot County.

Participants can choose from 5K walk/run routes or various cycling distances starting early Saturday morning, while Sunday morning brings the annual motorcycle rally along scenic local roads. Beyond the finish line, the weekend acts as an emotional gathering point for local survivors, care teams, and families. Organizers encourage community members to cheer along the routes or register on-site, with all proceeds directly benefiting local patients and equipment upgrades.

Local Pulse

City Council Declares Vacancy for November Ballot Councilors accepted Deputy Mayor Bill Kimball's resignation and placed the remaining one-year term on the upcoming November municipal ballot.
Registration Opens Soon for Household Waste Collection Brewer Public Works announced its free October disposal event, with online pre-registration for residents opening on September 7.

Today's Outlook

High 81°F · Low 59°F — Overcast
- Expect a quiet, overcast sky today, making it pleasant for outdoor errands or walks.

What's On Around Town

Library Knitting Social Brewer Public Library (100 S Main St), 9:00–11:00 AM Casual morning stitch session open to all skill levels.
Bangor: Empowerment Self-Defense Class Downtown Bangor, 10:00 AM–2:30 PM Free supportive workshop focused on boundary-setting and practical personal safety skills.
Bangor: Summer Art Exhibitions Zillman Art Museum (40 Harlow St), 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Explore five original contemporary art exhibits free of admission.
Anni & The Rainmakers Live Brewer Eagles Club (22 Atlantic Ave), 7:30–10:30 PM Grab drinks and kick off the weekend with classic live music.

Spotlight & Story

Holyoke Street
- Named after Edward Holyoke, an early 19th-century timber merchant and shipbuilder who launched schooners along the Penobscot riverbank. By 1926, the street transitioned from maritime trade to spiritual community, hosting the original wooden St. Joseph’s Church structure.

Brewer Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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