Rockland was recently voted the 2nd Coolest Small Town in America, and it's no wonder. Perched on the edge of beautiful Penobscot Bay, the town features history, art, museums, fine restaurants, a lighthouse, maritime adventure, musical entertainment, and chic boutiques, all within easy walking distance of B & Bs, motels, and hotels. Throughout the summers there are three large annual festivals that add to Rockland's fame and fun! Many of the windjammers offer free or discounted tickets to these festivals to their guests who sail during the weeks immediately preceding or following the festival dates.
It's not too late to book a trip—even for July. Check out the schooners' schedules and combine a cruise with an opportunity to attend the North Atlantic Blues Festival on July 11th and 12th. This prominent event is in its 16th year and features many well-known bands and blues artists from all over North America. Music from morning 'til night, food, festivities, and the famous "club crawl" as music continues into the late evening at the local pubs and restaurants within walking distance in downtown Rockland.
Even more famous than the Blues Festival is the annual Maine Lobster Festival, this year marking its 62nd Anniversary! The dates are July 29th through August 2nd and preparations are already under way. There is so much to do at this event you'll want to spend more than a day here! Lobster crate races, cooking contests, music, a big parade, lobster eating contests, crafts booths, and of course lobster, lobster, and more lobster. During 2008, over 20,000 pounds of lobsters were cooked up for the festival—but you can also enjoy clams, shrimp, mussels and traditional fair food as well.
Guests sailing on a windjammer cruise in the first or second week of August will have an opportunity to attend the 7th Annual Maine Boats, Homes, and Harbors Show which will be held at Harbor Park in Rockland from Friday, August 7th through Sunday, August 9th. The show is a festival of dozens of exhibits featuring furniture makers, designers, architects, boat builders, artisans, and marine equipment vendors. The Rockland show is the only boat show in Maine that features boats in the water, and you'll see more than 70 of them. There are plenty of activities for children and fun-loving adults, including wild and crazy zucchini-boat races, World Championship Boatyard Dog competitions, live musicians, and great food. If you love boating and you love Maine, or you just enjoy an outdoor-fun festival you won't want to miss this Down East good time. Friday afternoon features a windjammer Parade of sail!
So, pick a festival and pick a windjammer and prepare to join us in mid-coast Maine for great sailing and festival fun!
