Directions

From Southern Maine (Portland, York County), Central Maine, Coastal Maine,
or Eastern Maine:

Go to Lewiston via Maine Turnpike, getting off at Exit 80 (formerly Exit 13) at Lisbon Street. Take Lisbon Street into downtown Lewiston, where it becomes a one-way street. Go through downtown Lewiston to a light on the corner of Lisbon and Ash Streets. (The Lewiston Library is on the corner of the block before Ash St.) Turn left on Ash and go down a short hill. The
Centerville parking garage is on the left. You can park in the garage (free parking at 6 PM Friday evening and all weekend, entrances on both Ash Street and Canal Streets), then go out onto Canal Street. Walk across the canal on a metal walking bridge to the Mill and look for signs for the entrance (to the left of Da Vinci's Restaurant).

From Western Maine, Southwestern Maine, or New Hampshire:

Go to Auburn, go to the downtown area to Court Street, and go across the Androscoggin River on the bridge running from Court Street in Auburn to Main Street in Lewiston (James Longley Bridge). Immediately after crossing the river into Lewiston, turn right onto Lincoln Street. Go about three blocks on Lincoln Street to the Chestnut Street Garage (free parking on Friday
evening and all weekend, entrances on both Lincoln Street and Chestnut Street). Park and look for signs for the Mill (straight ahead of you as you walk out of the parking garage. The basement entrance in the back of the mill is the closest one to go to.

By Greyhound Bus:

Take the bus to Lewiston, getting off at the downtown terminal. Walk about 3-4 blocks to the corner of Pine Street and Lisbon Street, then down Pine Street toward the river. Walk across the canal on a metal walking bridge to the Mill and look for signs for the entrance.

Travel and Ride Sharing Contacts:

If you need a ride to the Maine Social Forum, can offer a ride to the Maine Social Forum, or want to carpool with others, contact the person closest to you to check on ride sharing. Try contacting these people at least a day or two before you want to come to give them time to help you out:

Downeast: Beehive Collective, 255-6737 (call by Wednesday)
Bangor Area: Roberto Mendoza, 299-0938
Midcoast: Jane Sanford, 338-3854 or Carmen Lavertu, 354-9556
Central Maine: Rick Langley, 632-4717
Western Maine: Tom Whitney, 743-2183
Portland/Southern Maine: Mel Shapiro, 761-4769, melanie.shapiro@gmail.com

Parking for those coming by car:

Free parking is available after 6 PM on Friday and all weekend at two large parking lots very close to Bates Mill, the Centerville Parking Garage (corner of Ash and Canal Streets, entrance from either street) and the Chestnut Street Garage (corner of Chestnut and Lincoln Streets, entrance from either street). Cars can be left in either lot throughout the weekend at no cost but must be parked after 6 PM on Friday and removed by 6 AM on Monday. Some metered parking is also available on Canal Street and free parking on other nearby streets.
THERE IS PARKING RIGHT IN FRONT OF AND IN BACK OF THE MILL BUT FOR VEHICLES WITH HANDICAPPED PLATES OR TAGS ONLY OR FOR THOSE UNLOADING MATERIALS FOR INFORMATION TABLES. PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THOSE DESIGNATED AREAS WITHOUT PROPER TAGS OR AUTHORIZATION.

For Persons with Disabilities:

About six parking spaces in front of the Mill (near DaVinci's Restaurant, use accessible front entrance) and about nine spaces at the rear of the Mill (near the fountain, use accessible basement entrance) are available for parking. All events except for the film festival will be at the Mill. Those events will be either on the second floor (registration, information tables,
accessible bathrooms), on the fourth floor (workshops/Events I-VI, more accessible bathrooms), or outside near the basement entrance (convocations). One elevator will be available throughout the three days, in addition to two stairways in different parts of the building.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR SPECIFIC NEEDS REGARDING BEING AT THE MAINE SOCIAL FORUM AND YOUR DISABILITY, PLEASE CALL THE MSF OFFICE AT 783-0894 or info@mainesocialforum.org.

What to Expect at the Maine Social Forum and What to Bring:

When you arrive to the Maine Social Forum, we request that you register first. Registration is on the second floor of the Bates Mill. When you get to the Mill, please take the elevator or stairs to the second floor (just to the right as you come off the elevator or middle stairway).

Information tables, water, and some food will also be available there. Bathrooms will be available on both second and fourth floors, where all the workshops will meet. A complete schedule of workshops and other activities in a "Program Guide" will be available at the registration tables.The Guide will also include a list of nearby restaurants and other useful information about the event.

Things to bring to the Maine Social Forum:

Light, summer clothes; the mill is not air conditioned, but we will have fans
Water and water bottle to prevent dehydration (and to use over again); we will have water for refills at the Mill also
Your own food, if you would prefer that to local restaurants and a limited amount provided by the Maine Social Forum
Information you want to share with others; we will have tables available for those who have 1 or 2 pieces (maximum) of information to share with others attending the Maine Social Forum
Bedding or a sleeping bag if you are planning to stay overnight (see housing section)
Money for registration (cost is 0-30 dollars), if you have not pre-paid, and can give some money to support this grassroots event.

Things not to bring to the Maine Social Forum

Do not bring alcohol or illegal drugs
Do not bring pets or companion animals except service animals.
The Maine Social Forum is an alcohol-free and tobacco-free event. There are designated smoking areas just outside the Bates Mill that will be available during the weekend.

Housing at the Maine Social Forum

Many of you will be coming to the Maine Social Forum for a day or will be commuting daily to Lewiston. You may also decide to stay overnight with friends or family in the greater L-A area.

However, if you are coming from farther away, we do have several options available:

Camping is available at a location in Greene (about 10 miles east of Lewiston) for about 20-30 tents. Contact the office at 783-0894 for directions, or pick up a map on Friday night or Saturday. Signing up through MSF registration is necessary.
We will have a space for 20 people who can provide their own sleeping mats and bedding. This is floor space in local buildings. Sign up when you register for one of these.
We hope to have a few (maybe very few) extra beds or couches for overnights. Again, sign up when you register for one of these.

Check the local chamber of commerce in downtown Lewiston (783-2249) for a list of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts.

For meals, choices include:

Bring your own food
The MSF expects to have some food to offer for free or a donation to those who need it
We will include a list of nearby restaurants (most locally owned) and grocery stores as part of the registration packet
Trinity Episcopal Church (about 4 blocks from the Mill) provides a Saturday lunchtime "soup kitchen" meal