Free events in Augusta, ME

A lineup of Magic The Gathering play includes casual Commander, a Standard Showdown, Modern, and a competitive Commander tournament. Free Commander pods welcome players who prefer lower power decks. Players are seated in groups of three to five, and each pod winner receives a random promo. The Standard Showdown has a $10 entry and uses the Standard format with Swiss pairings. Prizes go to top finishers, the number of prize packs in the pool scales with attendance, and winners choose from Standard Showdown promos. Modern offers a $10 entry, Swiss pairings, and prizes paid to the top performers. For a higher stakes option, the competitive Commander event has a $10 entry and begins in pods of three to five. Everyone receives a pack at sign up. Win your pod to earn three packs and move on to a new pod of two to five, where the winner or winners claim three additional packs.

Androscoggin Grange #8 hosts its sixth annual trunk-or-treat, featuring decorated vehicles set up in the parking lot where children can collect candy. Community members who want to take part may set up a decorated trunk and bring candy to share with attendees. For details or to coordinate participation, contact Rebecca Brooke at 207-653-2111, through Facebook Messenger, or by email at Androscoggin8grange@gmail.com. Sponsored by American Company.

Radio stations 92 Moose and B98.5 are teaming up for the eighth annual community food drive, camping in the Sam’s Club parking lot at the Marketplace at Augusta while gathering donations to benefit the Capital Region Salvation Army. With local need at a level not seen in more than fifty years, the goal is to fill two big rigs with food. The drive welcomes nonperishable staples such as cereal, shelf-stable milk, canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta with sauce, and peanut butter. Support for area pets is also part of the effort, with pet food and kitty litter accepted, and cash donations are welcomed for anyone who prefers to give that way.

Practice French while enjoying coffee and snacks and chatting with other French speakers. This gathering is free and open to all.

Practice Spanish in a relaxed social setting while enjoying coffee and snacks and chatting with other Spanish speakers. The gathering is free and open to everyone.

Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers can enjoy a short story time featuring stories, songs, and social activities in a format suited to preschoolers.