Maine Windjammer Association Fleet Gathers for the Camden Windjammer Festival
Rockland, ME – Plot a course for Camden Harbor on August 31st, when the Maine Windjammer Association fleet will join additional windjammers and day sailing schooners in Camden Harbor for the 25th Annual Camden Windjammer Festival. Find a seat at the Camden public landing starting at approximately noon the windjammers parade into the harbor. Captain. Jim Sharp, local windjammer historian and expert, will provide running commentary on the history and glory of each vessel as it makes its way to its berth at the public docks. The vessels are greeted one by one by cheers from the crowd, and each captain is gifted with a pineapple, a symbol of hospitality. It’s another chance to enjoy a gathering of the Maine Windjammer Association fleet, this time with the rare chance to tour the boats. Better than being a spectator, there’s still space available on Camden Windjammer Festival week cruises. Participate in the parade and talent show by being on board one of these historic schooners. Combined with a fabulous week of sailing on board along the Maine Coast, this is a great way to end the summer.
During the Festival, the Camden public landing will play host to displays of maritime traditions and crafts, and the windjammers are open for tours Saturday afternoon from 3:00-5:00pm.
Throughout the day Friday, August 31, a silent auction will be underway at the Maine Windjammer Association booth, with bidders vying to join the guests and crew on the fleet’s boats for dinner aboard on Friday night. The day’s schedule also includes radio-controlled boat races in the harbor, the start of Build-a-Boat construction, a lobster hauling demonstration, a downtown treasure hunt and the Nautical Dog Show. The evening includes an outdoor concert and a whimsical and entertaining talent show from 7:00-9:00pm, with entertainment provided by the guests and crews of the Maine Windjammer Association fleet and others in Harbor Park. The evening culminates with fireworks over the harbor.
Saturday morning, September 1, begins early with the Camden Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast. The Lobster Crate Race is Saturday’s highlight, and features contestants racing across a line of crates trying to avoid falling into the harbor. The First Fish Relay Race is another fun competition that has teams tossing slippery fish into a boat’s “hold” and then racing a short course to finish. Late in the day, the Build-A-Boat teams will test their boats’ seaworthiness and race to win trophies and bragging rights.
Food and other vendors will be located on the public landing, with restaurants and stores open in downtown Camden during the Festival as well.
Entrance to the Camden Windjammer Festival is free, with generous financial and in-kind support from numerous businesses, organizations and individual volunteers, in partnership with the Town of Camden.
The detailed schedule of events is available. The Camden Windjammer Festival is organized by the Town of Camden Parks & Recreation. For more information on the Maine Windjammer Fleet, cruises for this event and the fall cruises, visit SailMaineCoast.com.
Category: Press Releases
