Planning a festival of the size and caliber of Boothbay Harbor’s Windjammer Days (WJD) during these COVID-19 times is challenging, but the Friends of Windjammer Days continue moving plans forward.

“The board of directors has decided to follow the lead of the Big Easy as far as the street parade goes,” said Pete Ripley.

This year, a stationary street parade is planned and on the schedule for Wednesday, June 30. The parade has two themes: “Historic Schooners,” in honor of Grand Marshals John Foss of Schooner American Eagle and Doug and Linda Lee of Schooner Heritage; the second acknowledges how close the Festival is this year to the Fourth of July: “Red, White & Blue.” The parades, regardless of the theme chosen, should not be political in nature.

Businesses and residents are encouraged to decorate their homes and/or “floats” incorporating both or one of the themes in their yards. The Friends of WJD are hoping the decorations will stay up the week of the Festival. And, yes, there will be prizes, but those details will be defined at a later date.

The contact person for the Street Parade is Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce’s new executive director, Lisa Walby. The Chamber will be creating a map of all decorated locations for this drive-by street parade.

The Antique Boat Parade, Thursday, July 1, and the Lighted Boat Parade, Saturday, July 3, will bring diverse, gorgeous vessels to the harbor waters one by day, one by night.

The 59th Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days week is Sunday, June 27 through Saturday, July 3. For more information about the region’s longest-running festival, visit www.boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org