UMaine Hockey Tailgate Party in Orono This Saturday

🏒🍻 Cold drinks, loud cheers, and UMaine hockey vibes — tailgate party this Saturday!

The UMaine Men’s Ice Hockey team is in the midst of a 34-game 2025-26 season, with 17 home games at Alfond Arena and some exciting matchups against Boston University, Boston College, and their longtime rivals, New Hampshire. Coach Ben Barr, in his fourth season after a strong 2024-25, is guiding the team through a tough schedule that also includes games against NCAA tournament teams like Denver and Quinnipiac.

As of today, the Black Bears sit at 14-9-2 overall and 8-7-0 in Hockey East, making for an exciting season for fans to follow, especially tomorrow, when the party starts in Orono!

A free pregame festival will take place in the plaza outside the main Alfond Arena entrance from 4-6:30pm, this Saturday.

The University of Maine athletic department invites all fans to arrive at Alfond Arena early on Saturday, Jan. 31 for a free pregame festival, presented by Waterfront Concerts to benefit the Bear Down Collective, with support from Aroma Joe's, Renewal by Andersen and Hannaford.

The festival will run from 4-6:30pm, prior to the men's hockey game against Providence College. The pregame activities will take place in the new plaza located outside the main entrance of Alfond Arena.

Fans will be able to enjoy a stage show featuring DJ Jeff Buffington along with appearances from The Screamin' Black Bears pep band, men's hockey head coach Ben Barr, Bananas and more!

The event will also feature a Hannaford Kids Zone, a bon fire pit and other activities.

Free s'mores provided by Renewal by Andersen, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage sales, plus a bunch of delicious food trucks:

- Cheese Louise: Serving an array of Gourmet Grilled Cheese
- Brick & Embers: Serving Wood Fired Pizza
- New England Iron Pollo: Serving an array of Broiled Chicken Dishes
- Bear Bites: Serving cookies, whoopie pies
- Renewal by Anderson: Handing out Free S'mores Kits
- Kanu: Hot Cocoa & Hot Cider
- Aroma Joes: Hot drinks

All alcohol purchases will be limited to a maximum of two drinks per person at any one time. To ensure responsible service, all serving staff are TIPS-certified (Training for Intervention Procedures) and will work closely with security staff to confirm valid identification. Once identification is verified, patrons will receive a wristband upon entry into each alcohol-purchasing location.

The festival starts at 4 p.m. with DJ Jeff Buffington providing entertainment until 5:15 p.m. From 5:15-5:45 p.m., special programming will begin featuring a game preview with coach Barr, a performance by The Screamin' Black Bears Pep Band, and a special on stage birthday celebration for Bananas.

Doors to Alfond Arena will open at 6 p.m. and puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

Admission to the pregame festival is free for all and does not require a ticket to the Maine-Providence men's hockey game.