ROCKLAND — It is with great sadness that Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors has cancelled its 2020 Maine Boat & Home Show in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, said the magazine, in an April 29 statement.

Held every summer on the Rockland waterfront since 2003, the show is hosted by Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors magazine. The largest in-the-water boat show north of Boston, the three-day event draws thousands of people to Rockland over the second weekend in August, according to the magazine. A celebration of life on the coast, the festival features boats on land and in the water, art, jewelry, furniture and other crafts, as well as the makers. 

Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Publisher John K. Hanson Jr. said the decision came after Maine Gov. Janet Mills cautioned Tuesday that large gatherings likely will continue to be prohibited in the state throughout the summer, and that visitors to Maine will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

“In addition, a main concern for us was the safety and health of people in Rockland and the Midcoast region,” Hanson said. “We don’t want to do anything that might cause harm to this community that has given so much to us over the years.”

Hanson and the show staff have been reaching out to share the news with vendors and others. Anyone who bought tickets in advance will be offered a refund or tickets to the show in 2021. 

“We will be back next year, ready to celebrate Maine, boats, arts and all the things that make this place special,” Hanson said. 

The next show will take place Aug. 13-15, 2021.

In the meantime, the magazine staff are hard at work on the July/August issue.

“While we will miss seeing all our friends in person at the show,” Hanson said, “we plan to make this issue the next best thing: a glorious celebration of boats, art and the people who make the coast special.”