WINDJAMMER DAYS PARADE

BUNCH OF OLD GUYS ENJOYING THEMSELVES

FIFE AND DRUM LED THE PARADE.

The Parade

Winding down the last day’s events, but before the evening concert,
was the annual Windjammer Street Parade. As though on cue, and
honoring the efforts of the villagers and especially the participation of
the children, the fog and light rain lifted just in time for the parade. The
parade was a classic American small-town showcase. High school bands,
local fraternal organizations, the YMCA, the fire and police departments,
civic groups, clowns, homemade floats, honor guards, boy and girl scouts;
it couldn’t have been more fitting. If it didn’t bring a smile to your face
and a glistening to your eye, you’re in the wrong country.

BOOTHBAY WINDJAMMER DAYS

ARRIVING WITH MINIMUM SAIL THROUGH THE MIST





Excerpted from my book; OUR SUMMER IN BOOTHBAY HARBOR

Coming up soon, the third week of June, is Boothbay Harbor's windjammer days. When we attended, the highlight of the two-day event was on the afternoon of the
second day with the arrival of the windjammers. They came into the
harbor under sail, pennants and flags flying, dropping and setting their
anchors for an overnight stay. There were not as many ships the year we
attended owing to the poor weather.

For those ships that showed up they were heartily received and looked magnificent, ranging in size from eighty to over one hundred feet, with full crews and many guests. They glided in slowly and silently under light wind, shrouded in the mist, taking the prize harbor anchorages and offering a fitting display, especially when
lighted up for the evening concert and the closing ceremonies

WINDJAMMER DAYS: COAST GUARD OPEN HOUSE

THE 47 FOOT SHIP, THE MAINSTAY OF THE STATION AT BOOTHBAY HARBOR


While at McKown Point for the lobster talk, we also took in a tour of the Coast Guard Station. They held an open house that day because of the festival. Manned by a contingent of twenty-four active duty Coast Guard personnel, it is commanded by a senior chief boatswain’s mate (E-7).

It is a tribute to the professionalism and training of the Coast Guard that it gives such a large measure responsibility at that non-commissioned rank. The Station and crew are responsible for approximately 1,000 square miles of the Maine Coast. In that wide area they provide 24/7 search-and-rescue capability, United States maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, maintenance of maritime aids to navigation, inspection of commercial fishing licenses, and support of homeland security missions. It’s a tall order.

The active duty Coast Guard was superbly augmented by reserve personnel and the CG Auxiliary, who were very impressive with their knowledge, training and contribution to the overall CG mission. I got the impression that today the CG would find it very difficult to accomplish their expanded mission without the CG Auxiliary.

Elysee and I toured their largest ship, a forty-seven-foot all-purpose craft that not only can take high seas,in this case up to fifty feet, but should it capsize it is self-righting. Or at least that is what the manufacturer says. That’s one maneuver,thankfully, the crews do not have to train for. One can’t help coming away impressed by the dedication and hard work performed by this essential sea service.

WINDJAMMER DAYS-PART 1

A CHILD LEARNING HOW TO CLAMP A LOBSTER'S CLAWS




A ONE-IN-A-MILLION BLUE LOBSTER


Extracted from my book Our Summer in Boothbay Harbor. Click the cover photo for more.

In Chapter 4 of my book I cover three of the many events that occur annually in Boothbay Harbor. The next several postings will be about the Windjammer Days.

During the third week in June, 2009 Boothbay Harbor celebrated the 47th
Annual Windjammer Days. This was a community-wide festival celebrating
the relationship of the town to the waters of the surrounding region and the
livelihood these waters have provided since Boothbay Harbor’s beginning
days. It was unfortunate that the weather that year was uncooperative. As noted in the Introduction, June that year had more rainfall by far than any in recent years, and the two days of the well-planned festival, a centerpiece of Boothbay Harbor’s annual lineup of events, was not spared. Despite the inclement weather during 2009, I found the festival overall to be great fun, the various venues engaging and informative, and the entire program excellently organized. For those who braved the rain, and what true sailor would not, it was well worth the trip. The lineup of events included:

· Lobster boat races
· Pancake breakfasts
· Craft shows
· Tour of the Coast Guard Station
· Lobster talk at the Maine State Aquarium
· Tour of the Maine Department of Marine Resources
· Antique boat parade
· Several outdoor concerts
· Many events for children: touch tanks, face painting, puppeteers
· The Windjammer Fleet arriving under sail
· A concluding parade, concert, and fireworks
Maine

Maine State Aquarium
The first morning of the festival Elysee and I drove to McKown Point, a quick five minutes from town, which was also accessible by a free tour bus. Three of that day’s events were scheduled at the point. We began by visiting the Maine State Aquarium and attending the “Lobster Talk.” The talk was mostly for children, and seeing their
eager, inquiring faces was, by itself, worthwhile. I also picked up some pointers on lobsters. The lobster is so important to the economy and identity of Boothbay Harbor as well as Maine, it deserves a chapter all to itself. The highlight of my aquarium visit was seeing the blue lobster; a denizen I did not know existed.

BOOTHBAY HARBOR BOOK COVER

This blog site will be used to post excerpts from my recent book Our Summer In Boothbay Harbor, otherwise known as The Marshalls Become Maineaics. The cover is as good as any place to begin the blog. I met the artist Mark Mellor during our stay in 2009. His studio, next to his home, is a few minutes walk from where we stayed. Over the course of the summer I would stop by in acceptable New England tradition to pass the time of day; "yhep, that's about right" and "uh huh." Describing to Mark that I needed a photo of Boothbay Harbor that would be instantly recognizable to anyone who lives or had been there, and the difficulty I was having getting just the right perspective, he agreed to paint what he called an illustration depicting iconic Boothbay Harbor landmarks. The result is exactly right, colorful, eye-catching, proportioned; all I could have asked for.

That's Maine people. Competent, friendly, helpful, engaging and unpretentous. Welcome to my Boothbay Harbor blog. Weigh in with your comments.