We'll help you plan your best summer yet with our annual roundup of can't miss events! Plus we've got a Face the Music interview with vocal powerhouse Josh Groban who is performing in Portland on 6/24. And as always, we'll help you have a terrific weekend with our hand-picked selection of events. Have fun out there!
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Susan Axelrod
Susan Axelrod's food writing career began in the kitchen; she owned a restaurant and catering business for 15 years before turning to journalism. By day, she is the social media editor for Portland Press Herald. To relax, she bakes, gardens and hikes with her husband and their two dogs, preferably followed by a cocktail or a Maine beer. Susan can be contacted at 791-6310 or saxelrod@mainetoday.com On Twitter: @susansaxelrod
See tall ships, be a pirate and more at Boothbay Harbor’s Windjammer Days
Windjammer Days 2013. Photo by Steve Demeranville
Seven tall ships will sail into Boothbay Harbor for the 52nd annual Windjammer Days festival, which kicks off on Sunday, June 22. On Tuesday, June 24, the American Eagle, Alert, Eastwind, Lazy Jack, Lewis R. French, Heritage and Winfield Lash will arrive in Linekin Bay. The following day, the fleet will enter the harbor under full sail for the parade of sail that is a highlight of the festival.
Windjammer Days 2014 will feature several new events and attractions, including a cod fish race, lobster eating contest, food booths from local restaurants, and the 34th annual Rocky Coast Road Race, as well as classic events such as the Boothbay Harbor One Design boat race; the hometown street parade; an antique boat parade; oyster shucking contest; Artists’ Alley; waterfront concerts; Pirates of the Dark Rose; museum exhibits; kids’ tents; pancake breakfast; boat excursions; and a fireworks display over the harbor.
In addition, participating restaurants will be offering “Wind Jammers” featured entrees for $20; $5 of each entree sold will benefit the festival.
A few highlights:
Find the full schedule: windjammerdays.org
Cod Fish Relay
Tuesday, June 24 | 11 a.m. | Free
The first member of each 4-person team will pull on a foul weather jacket, pants and boots to carry two slippery cod fish around a set course. As soon as they finish, they’ll hand the gear and the fish to the next team member, who will run the course … and so on until all four team members have completed the race. First team to finish wins.
Pirates of the Dark Rose at Windjammer Days 2013. Photo by Steve Demeranville
Pirate Recruiting
Tuesday, June 24 | 1:30 – 3 p.m. | Kids Tent, Boothbay House Hill | Free
Apprentices from 6 to 60 are invited to join the Pirates of the Dark Rose for training in pirate ways to defend against an attack from the British on Wednesday. Cutlass lessons, pirate “dentistry” and more are included.
Red Cloak Haunted History Tours
Tuesday, June 24, Wednesday, June 25 | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | $15 adults; $7 kids under 12; free for kids under 5. | redcloakhauntedhistorytours.com
Take a lantern-lit walk with the Lady in the Red Cloak to learn about windjammer history, pirate tales and ghost stories of early Boothbay Harbor. Reservations required: 207-380-3806.
British Invasion Attack on Boothbay Harbor
Wednesday, June 25 | Public Landing, Whale Park | Noon – 12:30 p.m. | Free
Captain Crudbeard and the Pirates of the Dark Rose battle the British Governor, who wants to stop their shenanigans. Watch the drama unfold as Captains Randy and Nate navigate Friendship sloop Sarah Mead into the harbor to help thwart the British.
Parade of Sail
Wednesday, June 25 | 1 – 3 p.m.
The windjammer fleet arrives in the harbor under full sail. Best places to watch are from Whale Park, the footbridge, the Fishermen’s Memorial, or from the deck of a harbor-side restaurant.
The Mallet Brothers in Concert
Friday, June 27 | Boothbay Opera House | 8 p.m. $15/advance; $20/door | boothbayoperahouse.com
This band of young Portland, Maine musicians is beginning to get national recognition.
