August 2010, we toured the 63rd Annual Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland, ME. Rockland is located along Maine's Mid-coast (4 hours from Boston). The fair is located at the Port of Rockland with beautiful views of Penobscot Bay.
20,000 lbs of Maine lobster are cooked during the event in what is said to be the largest lobster cooker in the world! You may also want to try a lobster roll - a local sandwich concoction, or feast on "steamers" (clams), shrimp and other seafood that is either steamed or fried. You will not be disappointed!
Not sure how to eat them? Volunteers circulate through the food tent and provide instructions to both the novice and experienced lobster eater. You'd be amazed on how much meat you might be missing!
A three lobster dinner last year (including soft drink, corn, roll & butter) was $32. These are whole lobsters that are chix size (approximately 1 to 1.24 lb). Breakfast is served daily during the event and include all-you-can-eat blueberry pancakes! Food is reasonably priced.
There is a parade with floats, coronation of a sea goddess, live entertainment, various arts and crafts vendors (many with local wares), local marine life exhibit, U.S. Coast Guard Station tours, races, carnival rides, seafood cooking contests, games and plenty of activities for the kids! Downtown Rockland is full of shops and local artists. Definitely a great place to shop!
The fair runs from Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free on the Wednesday when the fair opens. Four day tickets and daily tickets are available at the gate. The festival, with a "Lobster Palooza" theme for 2011, officially opens on Wednesday, August 3rd and runs through Sunday, August 7th, 2011. For other details regardin g the event go to the Maine Lobster Festival website at http://www.mainelobsterfestival.com/
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| Captain Jack w/ Catch in Pot |
AREA ACTIVITIES
Other things for couples and families to do in the area include a ride on a lobster boat (or sailboat) and actually watch the crew "pull pots" hopefully full of lobster! Rides are available from the dock at the fair where you can contact the captains directly. These are small group tours and fill quickly! Our group boarded Captain Jack's Boat. Yes, we caught lobster and Jack was full of local information!
Other things for couples and families to do in the area include a ride on a lobster boat (or sailboat) and actually watch the crew "pull pots" hopefully full of lobster! Rides are available from the dock at the fair where you can contact the captains directly. These are small group tours and fill quickly! Our group boarded Captain Jack's Boat. Yes, we caught lobster and Jack was full of local information!
Take a short road trip to Chester, ME. Great food and stroll the area near the water and port. Many local shops with plenty to see.
BOAT TOURS
New Harbor, ME is about a one hour drive, and where you can board a tour boat from Hardy Boats to do a Puffin Tour, Lighthouse Cruise, Seal Watch or visit Monhegan Island, ME for the day. Great photo opportunities abound at all locations!
You may also see seals, whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife during any of these tours.
The crew is very knowledgable and Captain Al was excellent! Reservations strongly encouraged.
The puffin tour takes you to Egg Rock where a colony of puffins have been reintroduced to the area and are thriving. The island is inhabited by many species of seabirds, and scientists & interns studying the birds.
August is a great time to view the puffins before they return to the sea for their winter feeding.
The Puffin Project headquarters is located in downtown Rockland and worth a visit.
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| "Downtown" Monhegan Island (From Lighthouse) |
Monhegan Island is an island community of less than 100 people, occupying one sq. mile at about ten miles from the mainland. Great hiking trails that take you to a view of the town from the lighthouse at one end, and a typical Maine rocky tree-lined coast (with shipwreck) at the other end. Use caution as there are no emergency services on the island! This is an artist community and there are shops there to buy local produced arts & crafts. Overnight and longer accommodations are also available on the island. Everything that the island needs is brought daily by boat, including the tourists!
LIGHTHOUSES
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| Pemaquid Point Lighthouse |
After your return to New Harbor, visit Pemaquid Point Lighthouse which is a short ride away. Speaking of lighthouses, there are plenty in the area to visit. During our stay we visited Rockland Breakwater, Pemaquid, Monhegan Island and Owls Head lighthouses. Many more lighthouses are in the area and we can help you locate and visit them on your journey.
There is also a great maritime museum with many artifacts just outside the Lobster Festival fairground entrance.
The American Lighthouse Foundation is also located in Rockland, ME. A good place to visit and shop.
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| View of Bay from Rooms at Strawberry Hill Seaside Inn |
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations in Rockland (and nearby Rockport) include B&B's, hotels and rental properties. Some adjacent to the fairgrounds. Our group stayed at the Strawberry Hill Seaside Inn in Rockport, ME. Nice accommodations, pool and all rooms view the bay!
A great time was had by all and we would recommend this for couples and families alike.
Travelers should contact us for information and accommodations if interested in attending this year. 888-895-5255
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