This year Tall Ships America chose Boothbay Harbor as Port of the Year at their annual conference in Baltimore. Friends of Windjammer Days accepted the award on behalf of the community. For hundreds of years boaters have known Boothbay Harbor as a jewel on the Maine coast.

Over the last 70 years well known vessels like USCG Eagle, US Navy ships USS Oak Hill and USS Samuel Roberts, Maine Windjammers such as Heritage, American Eagle, Alert, American Eagle, Bowdoin, and Angelique; Tall Ships Lynx, Oliver Hazard Perry, Santa Maria, Trinidad, Spirit of Bermuda, and the Viking ship Draken, among others have visited this fine port.

The 62nd Windjammer Days, a celebration of summer and of Boothbay Harbor’s rich maritime history, will pay homage to the skillful boat builders of the region. The festival will take place Sunday, June 23 through Saturday, June 29.

From the Grand Gathering of the Windjammer Fleet on Wednesday, June 26 to pirate duels and fireworks, the festival has something for everyone. Returning events this year will include Harbor Aglow, a lighted boat parade in the harbor, a Street Parade, fireworks over the Harbor and Artists Alley. Most events are free to the public.

This year’s Vintage Boat Parade, a crowd favorite, will take place Friday, June 28 and will include a Pier Party to continue the fun on shore. On Saturday, June 29, Orne’s Candy Store will sponsor its 18th annual International Rock Skipping Contest in memory of Arthur Webster, to benefit the Boothbay Region Health Center and the Maine Lobstermen’s Association.

Each year, the festival centers around a theme that celebrates the maritime heritage of the region. This year, the event will highlight the legacy of shipbuilding in the region that dates back more than there centuries, and the boat builders who carry on this proud tradition today.

More information about the festival and schedule of events is available at www.boothbaywindjammerdays.org.

Windjammer Days is presented by Friends of Windjammer Days with generous support from sponsors: Pine State Trading, Forj-Tom/Debra Yale, Carousel Marina, Mark/Kathie Eldridge, Shoreline Capital, Ralph Doering Family, Jeff Suyematsu/Elaine Hebert, Down East Magazine, Bangor Savings Bank, Gena Canning, Lafayette Group, Knickerbocker Group, J Edward Knight, Pepsico, Valley Beverage, Bristol Marine, Tindal and Callahan, Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort, First National Bank, Rugged Seas, Windjammer Emporium, Vacasa, Cabbage Island Clambakes, Rick and Carmela Wise; Dix and Nancy Druce: Eric and Susan Rasmuseen; and Alison and Todd Prawer.