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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 95 FA C T BO O K / D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N M A I N E M E E T I N G S / E V E N T S an events tent. Duck Puddle started taking book- ings in September 2016 and is booked this year into August. e venue works well for destination wed- dings, says co-owner Meredith Blakesley, because the organizer can rent the whole campground for attendees. It's also proven popular among locals for events like graduations and baby showers. "People love the lush property," she says. With 47 acres surrounded by a lake, fi elds and woods, "People love the vastness. And the barn is super cozy." In Portland, the nightclub Aura, newly constructed and opened in April, off ers a function room for confer- ence and social events. e venue doubles the capacity of the former Asylum nightclub at the same spot. It can now host up to 1,000 people. It has held events for the Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau and other businesses. e music venue is booked by Live Nation, and summer concerts will include Ziggy Marley, Chris Isaak and Ted Nugent. Vanessa Pike, the CVB's membership director, told Mainebiz that Aura's expansion "creates more needed meeting and entertainment space in Portland." en there's the expansion of Bayside Bowl, also in Portland. Already a bowling and music venue since opening in 2010, the expansion brought more lanes and gathering spaces, including a mezzanine level and rooftop bar with taco truck and fi re pit, all designed to host events like anniversaries, company gatherings and parties. "We've had a lot of interest from private parties in the mezzanine," says co-owner Charlie Mitchell. "It has its own bar and you can look down on the lanes, so you're involved in the activity but in your own private space. e roof 's been great for private parties, and hitting capacity with the public. And we have another space we refer to as the owner's box — 15 to 20 people — that has its own door, a big-screen TV and a window onto the lanes. at's become popular for bachelor parties, and we're getting inquires from businesses that can do a lunch gathering, go over powerpoint with the big screen, then go bowling after lunch." L S, Mainebiz staff writer, can be reached at @ . and @MREI P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y B AY S I D E BOW L Two distinctive campuses for one flawless event! You have a vision. We make it happen. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Cindy Juskiewicz Director, University Events and Conference Services cjuskiewicz@une.edu (207) 602-2151 www.une.edu/conferences TWO CAMPUS LOCATIONS 716 Stevens Ave., Portland 11 Hills Beach Rd., Biddeford Bayside Bowl in Portland has had a major expansion, adding bowling lanes, meeting spaces, rooftop area and bar.

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