Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days and Tall Ships festivals
VICTORY CHIMES returns for Windjammer Days after almost two decades! Courtesy of PenBay Pilot/Fred LeBlanc photo
Welcome to the Tall Ships Festival – June 25-27 – what a lead-in!
Boothbay Harbor’s 59th Windjammer Days – June 27-July 3
Find times and dates for contests: lobster eating, codfish relay races, the youth pageant competition Boothbay’s Got Talent, rock skipping (virtual for spectators); kids activities, Artists Alley; Blessing of the Fishing Fleet, Antique Boat Parade, Lighted Boat Parade, the Gathering of the Fleet in the harbor; Pirates of the Dark Rose; fireworks; Haunted, Maritime and Historical tours by Red Cloak Tours – choose your own teletour(s); the all new Porch Parade; pancake breakfasts; and tours of the Tall Ships!
CLICK HERE FOR THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Wow ... Windjammer Days!
Thank you, Mark and Dianne Gimbel, Peter Ripley, their Friends of the Windjammer committee members, Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, and everyone else involved with the 2021 Windjammer Days festival.
It was quite a week of fun and festivities – Tall Ships and tours, the Parade of Sail, fireworks, Wreaths Across America, the Porch Parade, pirates, the fun Cod Fish Race and Lobster Eating Contest, Blessing of the…
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Olde Village Days & Maine Bicentennial Exhibit
The rain stopped on Saturday, July 3 just in time for the festivities at Boothbay Railway Village Museum’s Olde Village Days. Crowds of families – locals, vacationers and summer residents – arrived in time for the 10 a.m. start to the fun, old-fashioned time.
The steam train was running, operated by engineers John and Cathy Orne. By 3 p.m. Cathy said there had been 15 trips around the Village. Jim Hudson’s 1930 Model A Sport Coupe was proving quite popular as well: “Yeah, I’m a…
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Windjammer Days holds annual Artists’ Alley
The sky was overcast Friday, July 2. It was an abrupt weather change, in true New England fashion, from the oppressive heat that marked most of the Windjammer Days’ festivities. However, the cloudy day didn’t stop shoppers from attending the annual Artists’ Alley.
The expo featured 12 artists from across New England, live art demos by John Seitzer and Tony van Hasselt, a silent auction and and a raffle.
The Artists’ Alley was started by the late Jim Taliana as part of the…
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Artists Alley now two days
The Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days event Artists Alley will be held as planned on Friday, July 2, and now also on Saturday, July 3. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Whale Park.
Artists expected to participate are veteran artists Alan Claude, Anne Gobes, Derek Keenan, Diane Horton Fine Art, Janet Brennan, Marianne Janik, Nancy Shaul, and Sharon Goldhirsch, Chris Cambridge and Susan Thiboult. Two new artists, Boothbay region natives Morgan Mitchell and Sari Weiss are joining the event.…
Read moreRock skipping contest canceled
Orne’s Candy Store, which sponsors the Arthur Webster Memorial Rock Skipping Contest, off footbridge lot in Boothbay Harbor, has announced the following:
“Unfortunately due to early morning storms this year's rock skipping contest has been cancelled. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding. We hope to see you at next year's event!”
Boothbay Harbor, Wiscasset hosting 50th anniversay of American involvement in end of Vietnam War
As part of a nationwide tour, Boothbay Harbor and Wiscasset will host Wreaths Across America’s commemorative event marking the end of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. On June 30, Wreaths Across America hosts an event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Whale Park in Boothbay Harbor. On July 3, a similar one occurs at Wiscasset Speedway from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The U.S. Department of Defense designated WAA as one of a few patriotic organizations providing commemorative pins to Vietnam veterans as…
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Updated: Windjammer Porch Parade is underway
Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce is holding a contest for the “Land, ho!” theme of the Windjammer Days Porch Parade and everyone gets a vote! For details, visit the Chamber’s website, www.boothbayharbor.com. Scroll down to the map, click on the “wjd parade” button for the interactive map of parade locations. Printed maps will be available at the Chamber office at 97 Townsend Ave. and at the Friends of Windjammer Days information tent.…
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Artists’ Alley
Windjammer Days event Artists’ Alley will be in the Whale Park Friday, July 2 - rain or shine - from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are 12 artists coming from all over New England to participate. A silent auction and raffle will also be held.
This year two Boothbay region natives join the event - Morgan Mitchell (Morgan Mitchell Designs) and Sari Weiss (Sari Rae).
Veteran artists to this event include Alan Claude/graphic artist, Anne Gobes/Cape Newagen Alpaca Farm, Derek Keenan/Hill…
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WJD kicks off with blessing of the fleet
A shortened Blessing of the Fleet ceremony was held Sunday, June 27 dockside to greet fishing boats from around the harbor on day one of Windjammer Days. Missing was the traditional reading of the names lost mariners. The reading is usually held at the Fisherman’s Memorial. Judi Appel laid a wreath at the site.
“The bells will be rung as usual,” said Appel, whose mother Estelle Appel has organized the program since 1991.
Estelle Appel greeted officiates Bob Curtis, Kate…
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Windjammer Days returns June 27
A fleet of majestic, historic windjammers will set sail for Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days Sunday, June 27 through Saturday, July 3. This will follow the Tall Ships Festival June 25-27, originally scheduled for last year to celebrate Maine’s Bicentennial, but canceled due to the pandemic.
The Tall Ships Festival, possible through a partnership between Tall Ships of America and Friends of Windjammer Days (FWD), features tours of three of the four ships: Nao Santa Maria – for…
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Tall Ships Festival comes to Boothbay Harbor
The Tall Ships Festival in Boothbay Harbor June 25-27 is happening through a partnership between Friends of Windjammer Days and Tall Ships of America.
It had been scheduled for 2020 by Mark Gimbel of Friends of WJD for Maine’s Bicentennial. But the pandemic put the kibosh on the arrival of seven ships – and Windjammer Days. Gimbel, a founding member of the Friends group with wife Dianne, started making plans for that Bicentennial celebration during the 2019 Windjammer Days Festival…
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2021 Student T-shirt designed by Maria Michael
It’s official: Members of Friends of Windjammer Days have chosen the T-shirt design by Maria Elaine Michael for this year’s student-designed T-shirts. Michael is in eighth grade at Boothbay Region Elementary School (BRES).
This year marks the third year of the Windjammer Days Student T-shirt Design Contest, the brainchild of Rosemary Bourette and daughter Jessica Nadeau, art teacher at BRES.
“Artists were asked to consider what their artwork would look like on a T-shirt when…
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Friends of WJD: Cautiously optimistic for 2021
Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days Festival – what’s not to love? Visiting schooners, schooner tours, fireworks, boat and street parades, Blessing of the Fleet, music, games and activities for children; tours, activities and informational talks at Maine State Aquarium, boat rides, tours of the Sail Loft and Coast Guard station, a tug-of-war across the harbor, craft fairs, competitions, golf tourney, the student T-shirt design contest ... the list goes on. But in year 58 last year, for the first…
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Celebrating the Bicentennial one year later, Friends of Windjammer Days is bringing the Tall Ships Festival, planned for 2020, to Boothbay Harbor June 25-27 in partnership with Tall Ships of America.
The Tall Ships are Spirit of Bermuda, Privateer Lynx, Nao Santa Maria and Alert.
There will be deck tours of all ships except Alert; however, custom charters are being offered aboard Alert.
Tickets are $20 per person for the deck tours and available to buy only through eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boothbay-harbor-windjammer-days-tall-ships-festival-tickets-154249072127 fbclid=IwAR2D2u70006U2akTlI4yOU2axgnq97emqN8H-iHCDoqrPIapvW6Que_TKDk
There are 1,500 tickets. Only 20% will be available during the Festival at the Friends of WJD information tent in Whale Park. So, if you really want a deck tour ... don’t wait!
For more information, read the article below, or just click the tickets link!
Capt. Alex Peacock
Built in Rockport
Sparred length is 118’ with three masts
Spirit of Bermuda has provided life-changing experiences to more than 4,500 young people. Captain Alex Peacock will be at her helm. Alex is the son of Don Peacock, captain of the Tall Ship Privateer Lynx.
Captain Don Peacock
Homeport Nantucket Island, Massachusetts
122’ long
tallshiplynx.com
Lynx was the largest shipbuilding project ever undertaken by Rockport Marine in Rockport, and was the first square-rigged vessel built in the area since 1885.
Docked at Public Landing after Gathering of the Fleet
Homeport: Seville, Spain
Sparred length: 95’ - five decks, four iron masts
In 2018, a spectacular replica of the Santa Maria was launched off the coast of Spain by the non-profit Nao Victoria Foundation. Nao Santa Maria is a full-scale replica of La Santa Maria, the largest of the three Spanish ships Columbus used in his first voyage. Nao Santa Maria has been adapted with innovative systems for greater maneuverability and durability. Below deck is a museum about her.
Captains Bethany McNelly-Davis and Perry Davis
Homeport Bailey Island
70' long
The Schooner and Tall Ship Alert is a 70’ traditional wooden plank on frame design.
Designed and built by Paul Rollins with a team of shipwrights in York. In 1992, she was christened Tall Cotton and sailed between Florida and Mt. Desert Island. She was later converted into a commercial fishing vessel and renamed Alert.
Visit the website or Alert Boothbay Harbor Sailing Schedule
Docked at Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort after Gathering of the Fleet. Custom tours are available.
Captains Sam Sikkema and Cara Lauzon
Homeport Rockland
127.5’ long
victorychimes.com
Victory Chimes is a three-masted, gaff-rigged Chesapeake Ram schooner. Originally designed for and used as a general purpose cargo hauler, she was converted to a passenger cruise vessel in 1946.
She has not been to Boothbay Harbor for Windjammer Days in almost two decades!
Welcome back, Victory Chimes!
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Schooner Ernestina Commission
Homeport New Bedford, Massachusetts
156’ long
In restoration at Bristol Marine, Boothbay Harbor
Shipwright Ross Branch will speak at the shipyard on Monday, June 28, 4-5 p.m. No tickets are necessary. All are welcome. Donations will be accepted and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association.
Captains Tom and Jennifer Smith
Homeport Boothbay Harbor
65' long
schoonereastwind.com
Her home is Pier 6, Fisherman's Wharf Inn, where four trips are offered daily.
Captain John Foss
Homeport Rockland
122' long
schooneramericaneagle.com
Schooner American Eagle was launched June 2, 1930 and was the last fishing schooner built in Gloucester, Massachusetts. By 1983, the years of fishing had taken its toll. She was taken to North End Shipyard in 1984 where Captain Foss, assisted by five other schooner captains, completely restored her. Foss launched her in April 1986.
At anchor inner harbor after Gathering of the Fleet.
AGNESS AND DELL
Captain Levi Johnston of Boothbay Harbor
Homeport Blue Hill
46’ long
Built in 1945 Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Docked at Fisherman’s Wharf after Gathering of the Fleet
The Lewis R. French is 150 years old this year!
Captain Garth Wells
Homeport Rockland
101' long, with four lower sails and two topsails
schoonerfrench.com
Built by the French brothers and named for their father, the schooner Lewis R. French was launched in April, 1871, in Christmas Cove. She is the last schooner remaining of thousands built in Maine during the 19th century. The French is still operated much how she would have been during the age of sail. She has no inboard engine, relying on 3,000 square feet of sail to propel her.
Schooner and Tall Ship Harvey Gamage
Homeport Portland
Built and launched in South Bristol in 1973, she was restored in summer 2015. The SSV Harvey Gamage is a U.S. Coast Guard-certified tall ship that hosts experiential learning programs at sea for teens. The programs are run by Sailing Ships Maine of Portland
In 2019 alone, tall ship Harvey Gamage took more than 200 teenagers to sea on five-day voyages in the Gulf of Maine. In summer 2020, Harvey Gamage was the sole sail training schooner able to operate with students in the U.S.
Captain Harold Burnham
Homeport Gloucester, Massachusetts
58' long pinky schooner
Named for the captain’s grandmother, Ardelle is constructed almost entirely from recycled material and much of her timber came from trees discarded by local arborists and tree companies.
Docked at Boothbay Harbor Marina Monday and Tuesday
Captains Sean Grimes and Ben Welzenbach
Homeport Rockland
95' long - 165 tons
schoonerheritage.com
Built and designed in 1983 by former longtime owners Doug and Linda Lee who modeled her after a 19th century cargo-hauling coaster.
At anchor inner harbor after Gathering of the Fleet
Captain Will McLean
Homeport Castine
88' long
bowdoin.edu
The Schooner Bowdoin was built during the winter of 1920-21 at Hodgdon Brothers Shipyard, now Hodgdon Yachts, in East Boothbay. The ship is a two-masted auxiliary schooner, double-planked, and double-framed with white oak.
Bowdoin arrives in Boothbay Harbor July 1-3.
Captain Colby Pearson
Homeport Tenants Harbor
37’ long, one-of-a-kind, custom-built traditional wooden gaff-rigged ketch
sailjennyives.com
Jenny Ives was built in Boothbay Harbor in 1981, a collaboration by Maine boatbuilder Hall of Famer Roy Blaney and Naval architect Thomas C Gillmer of Annapolis, Maryland. Roy Blaney built boats in Boothbay Harbor for about 25 years before he got the chance to build a boat of his own, the Jenny Ives, his 24th boat.
Docked at Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort after Gathering of the Fleet
Captain J. B. Smith
Homeport Bath
73' Long
Built in Bath in 1906 by Thomas E. Hagan, Mary E was his last vessel on the property where Bath Iron Works is located.
Docked at Public Landing after Gathering of the Fleet
SYCAMORE
Captain Fred Bowers
Homeport Wiscasset
52' long
The Sycamore is a steel, two-masted schooner built by Fred Bowers over 16 years. It is a steel representation of a pinky schooner, one of two vessel designs originally used in Maine's fisheries in the early 19th century. She is named after sycamore trees that surrounded the builder's home growing up.
Docked at Lobster Dock after Gathering of the Fleet
TRUE NORTH
Captain Andrew Grainger
Homeport Boston, Massachusetts
Summer Home Pemaquid
56’ overall
Built in 1939 by Goudy & Stevens (now Hodgdon Yachts) in East Boothbay, True North is an Alden Schooner. She is one of approximately 45 of the original Alden Schooners left in the world.
Captain J.R. Braugh
Homeport Rockland
82' long
Launched from Hodgdon Brothers Shipyard, East Boothbay
Formerly the Nathaniel Bowditch, Ladona has been known for her beauty, swiftness, and strength since the day she was christened in 1922. Elegantly designed by William Hand, she was commissioned by Homer Loring as a private yacht.
The Friends of Windjammer Days will have an information tent in Whale Park. Shuttle maps. Windjammer Days guides produced by the Boothbay Register and Wiscasset Newspaper; a portion of tickets for the Tall Ships deck tours of the Privateer Lynx, Spirit of Bermuda and Nao Santa Maria. Commemorative T-shirts, the student-designed 2021 T-shirt, caps and masks.
The tent is also the location to sign up for the lobster eating contest – the first 10 – and cod fish relay races. Teams of four for the relay races must be intact at sign up.
