Windjammer Days Featured in Resorts & Lodges

- Private group -
Fri, 06/24/2016 - 10:00am

In the heart of the breathtaking landscape better known as the Maine Atlantic Coast, Boothbay Harbor is a delightful destination for all travelers. Steeped in a rich history that is still evident in its historic buildings and classic charm, come and see why the town was named among Yachting Magazine's “50 Best Towns”. 

Home to the largest working harbor north of Boston, Boothbay Harbor is always abuzz and it features a wide range of things to do. If you're a boater, or a fan of waterborne activities, this is the perfect location for you. From exploring the majestic coastline via tour boat to learning how to catch lobsters from a professional fisherman, they have it all. If you're looking for solid footing while still keeping with the outdoor theme, the parks here are beautiful. You’ll encounter ample opportunities for hiking, biking, photography, golfing and more.

The history of Boothbay Harbor is detailed and on display at various sites all over town. You can visit historic buildings, landmarks and museums, which will paint a vivid picture of years gone by. Local merchants offer a selection of unique shops to browse. You’ll also find that the town has a great collection of restaurants that feature some of the best seafood you can imagine. The area is not just known for its beauty and sea access, but also for its community festivals like the famous Windjammer Days. 

After an event passes the half century mark for years in operation, you know it's big deal. This is no different for the ever popular Windjammer Days Festival. Heading into its 54th year, this festival serves as the ultimate summer kickoff for the town and the surrounding communities. This town of 2,100 people grows its population by nearly three times during the festival. Designed for anyone, Windjammer Days is good for everyone from seniors to kids. The activities here are almost too many to list but include parades, games, fireworks, demonstrations and of course watching the windjammers come into the harbor. Begin your summer with a blast and head to stunning Boothbay Harbor for the one-of-a-kind Windjammer Days. We got the chance to interview Kim Gillies, Event Representative for Windjammer Days, to talk about this great community celebration. 

RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.

KG: This is the 54th year of the Windjammer Days Festival. Each year, during the last week of June, Boothbay Harbor comes alive with a week-long festival marking the kick off to summer. It provides an opportunity to welcome visitors and support local businesses while paying tribute to our maritime history and the vital role it plays for those who make their living from the sea. 

We anticipate about 5,000 to 7,000 attendees this year. These are people who come to stay for the week or may come for a couple of nights. These numbers also include a large number of day trippers within a 50-mile radius including from Portland to Camden and from Augusta to Waterville.

Windjammer Days attracts families, couples, seniors, locals, and people from all over, many of whom have made it a tradition year after year to celebrate the arrival of these majestic schooners, which travel from up and down the coast. 

RAL: What makes this event unique?  

KG: The community makes this event unique. It is a collective passion for the sea and for keeping traditions alive for future generations that drives this event. The ownership was taken over by a group of local businesses and volunteers a few years ago, and it has grown into a week-long festival with something for everyone. From a golf tournament to a road race, a tug of war across the harbor to pirate duels and fireworks, we have so much to see and do. Like parades? Spend the week and you can catch an Antique Boat Parade, the Parade of Sail of Windjammers, Windjammer Days Street Parade, and the Lighted Boat Parade. You can even observe the Blessing of the Fleet as the fishing vessels parade past Fisherman's Memorial and are blessed for a safe season while those who have lost their lives to the sea are remembered. It is great pride from our community which energizes this event, welcoming locals and tourists alike to share in a heritage that is revered. 

Another piece of uniqueness that many do not realize is that most of the events during Windjammer Days are free to the public, and that's not always something that's easy to find these days. 

RAL: What can attendees expect during a typical day at the festival?

KG: Let's say you visit on Wednesday, June 29 as that is the day the Windjammers make their entrance into the harbor. 

You can start your day off with a hearty pancake breakfast in Whale Park located in the center of town with a beautiful view of the harbor. There you will be served by some very friendly firemen and women as all the proceeds from the breakfast benefit the station. At 9:30 am, stick around and watch some scallywag pirates perform a weapons demonstration. If you really enjoy pirates, stay put as there will be cannon lessons too. From there, if you are bringing the kids, venture up the hill for some face painting or knot tying. Or if you would prefer a behind the scenes look at the people who keep us safe on the water, head over to the United States Coast Guard Station for a tour and even board their rescue boats. The Maine State Aquarium is just a short walk from the Coast Guard Station where you can touch sea cucumbers, lobsters, and sea stars just to name a few things that live at the bottom of the ocean here in Maine. Head back to the harbor and enjoy a fabulous lunch at any of our many restaurants, or grab a sandwich to go and head out on a Parade of Sail Watching Boat Tour to get an up close view of the majestic schooners as they enter the harbor.

If you decide to stay on land, the Pirates of the Dark Rose will again entertain you as they stage their British Invasion Attack on the harbor at the public landing.  Soon after, the Schooners will arrive in all their glory under full sail. Bands will play in the park, a lobster eating contest, and codfish relay races takes place, and Schooners Bowdoin and Harvey Gamage will offer tours once they are docked and settled. Exact times will be posted at the Friends of Windjammers Tent in Whale Park. After all this excitement you may need to sit down, so  find your spot anywhere along Townsend Avenue and get ready for the Street Parade! After the parade, have some dinner in town and head over to the high school to check out the carnival. If amusement rides are not your thing, you can make a reservation to take a walking tour with the Lady in the Red Cloak and learn about windjammer history, seafaring superstitions, and ghost stories of early Boothbay Harbor. And after all of that, get cozy and watch the fireworks spread across beautiful Boothbay Harbor in celebration of our Windjammer heritage. If you are not too exhausted from a full day and ready to retire, you can stay in town and listen to live music, enjoy a nightcap, and relive the fun day you had with all the great people you met in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. 

RAL: What does the event mean to your community?

KG: This event does jump start the summer season for Boothbay Harbor and brings tourists in at a time that might otherwise be slower for visitors, but it is so much more than that. There is an affinity for the sea here. The schooners represent our maritime history, and the tradition of Windjammer Days is carried on with the next generation always in the back of our minds. The people who live here feel a sense of obligation and strong desire to keep this maritime legacy alive. 

Windjammer Days is made possible by the donations and sponsorship of many individuals, businesses, and volunteers. 

RAL: Why should people come to your event?  

KG: Boothbay Harbor is a special place full of down to earth, hardworking people with strong character. The place and the people will find a special place in your heart. The rocky coastline speckled with lighthouses, coves, inlets, and islands make it a boater's paradise. The bustling harbor mixed with art galleries, fancy shops, and a working waterfront make for a quintessential Maine experience. In addition, we are home to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and the Boothbay Harbor Country Club which are renowned for their beauty and exceptional amenities. We really do have something for everyone. Windjammer Days is the prefect time to visit and see all that we have to offer while joining in some seafaring fun.

For more information about Windjammer Days, please visit their website.