Black Balloon event coming to Biddeford

February 15, 2026February 16, 2026 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Ryan Paige of Biddeford sits behind a desk in his Main Street office and carefully considers his words while talking about the upcoming “Black Balloon Day” event that will be held on Saturday, March 7.

Black Balloon Day is an annual event to remember people who have been lost to drug addiction and substance use disorder – and to raise awareness and offer hope to those who may be struggling, their families and other members of the community.

This will be the sixth year that the event has been held in Maine, and this year the event will take place for the first time in Biddeford, at the New Life Church on the Alfred Road.

Paige, 44, is the co-founder of the Access Direct Recovery Network, a statewide non-profit organization that provides “direction and connection to individuals suffering with substance use disorder through fast access into a network of treatment facilities and recovery resources” throughout Maine.

Ryan Paige of Biddeford runs the Access Direct Recovery Network and is excited that this year’s Black Balloon event will be held in the same community where he grew up, struggled and began his recovery journey (Seaver photo)

Paige is a recovering drug addict who is now on a mission to provide support, service and resources to other people, regardless of where they are on their own recovery journey. He and his wife, Cynthia, launched Access Direct six years ago.

The first Black Balloon event held in Maine took place on the Eastern Promenade in Portland six years ago. It was organized by Paige and his friend, Randy Beard – a fellow recovering addict.

“It was a really small event,” Paige recalled. “We had maybe 50 people show up and we had one table set up with information about resources, and it was freezing cold.”

Over the years, the event continually grew.

“In true addict fashion, we decided to try it again,” Paige laughed. “It’s always been a grassroots type thing, but by year two we had between 150 and 200 people.”

Last year, the event was held in Bangor and more than 500 people attended to hear musical performances and share the memories of those who have been lost to addiction.

This is the first year that the Black Balloon event will be held in Biddeford.

“Having it in Biddeford this year means a lot to me,” Paige said. “This where I live. This is where I struggled. I have a strong personal connection to Biddeford.”

Paige says the Black Balloon event is designed to allow people to grieve and share the memories of those who have been lost to addiction. But is also an opportunity for community members, families and others to learn more about available treatment resources.

“We’re constantly working to get rid of the stigma that surrounds so many of these battles,” Paige said. “This event gives people information about resources and a chance to see the power of recovery.”

This year’s event will feature a variety of food trucks and musical performances by artists in recovery from all over the country, including Skyler Ray from Seattle; Colicchie from Pittsburg; Jordan Meyer from Florida and others.

Several community awards – named after people lost to addiction – will be presented to individuals and resource providers.

But there will only be a minimum number of actual black balloons at the indoor Black Balloon event. No balloons will be released.

“During our first year, we heard some concerns from people about the negative impacts that balloons have on the environment and wildlife,” Paige explained. “We want to be good neighbors.”

The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 11 a.m. Performances begins at noon.

For more information, please visit Black Balloon Event

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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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‘For Biddeford’ event draws 150 volunteers

July 14, 2025July 14, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By JUSTIN SWEENEY, New Life Church, Lead Pastor

(Photos by Joe McKenney)

On Saturday, July 12, New Life Church hosted its 8th annual “For Biddeford” event, a citywide serve day where close to 150 volunteers spread out across Biddeford to complete 10 service projects to bless the community.

For Biddeford is built on a simple but compelling idea: our city should be better because of the Christians worshiping in it. We believe the church should be known for who we are for, not simply what we are against.

We are “for” our city and the families who call it home.

For Biddeford is just one of the many ways we hope to reflect the love of Jesus in practical, tangible ways right here in our city.

This year’s projects included trail maintenance at Clifford and Rotary parks, painting at the J. Richard Martin Community Center and Memorial Park, deep cleaning the Biddeford Food Pantry, free hot dogs to the public, and lunch for first responders (police and fire).

What made this year’s ForBiddeford especially exciting was a sneak peek into The Reach, the church’s upcoming community center set to launch at the end of this summer.

Located at 118 Alfred Street, The Reach will serve as a hub of connection and support for individuals and families in the surrounding neighborhoods.

To learn more about ForBiddeford, visit www.forbiddeford.com

Biddeford’s Winterfest 2025 is a hit

February 8, 2025April 1, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

Hundreds of people flocked to downtown Biddeford on Saturday for the 13th annual Winterfest celebration. The giant sledding hill on Adams Street was once again a popular attraction, but there were also a lot of other things happening, including tours of the newly renovated City Hall clock tower, dancing and music.

*The Adams Street sledding hill was again a big favorite during Biddeford’s Winterfest celebration (Seaver photo)*

Volunteers from the New Life Church had several tables set up, giving away free donuts, hot chocolate and hats and mittens.

*New Life Church volunteer Roland LaFlamme poses with a Winterfest mascot (his wife Maureen)* Seaver photo

Children also had the opportunity to see the inside of a fire truck, city plow and the police department’s mobile Crime Scene Unit.

Outdoor temperatures remained above freezing, making this year’s celebration even more enjoyable.

*Alannah, 11, gets her fingerprints made by Cpl. Matt Baldwin of the Biddeford Police Department inside the mobile crime scene unit (Seaver photo)*

Larry Patoine, one of the event’s lead volunteers, said it will take less than four hours for volunteers to remove the giant sledding hill this evening before another winter storm descends on the city

This year’s hill was constructed with snow from the Five Points Shopping Center. Patoine says the snow from the hill will be disposed of near Rotary Park.

*A long line of children anxiously await their chance to experience the giant sledding hill on Adams Street (Seaver photo)*

Former mayor Alan Casavant, who helped organize the very first Winterfest (La Fete d’ Hiver) in 2012, said he was pleased to see the festival growing in popularity with each passing year.

“This is what community is all about,” Casavant said. “It’s fun just watching so many people having fun.”