ROCKLAND — This year the theme of the Rockland Lobster Festival is "Lobster Livin' – the Families Behind the Industry." The theme is meant to represent not just the families of fishermen/fisherwomen, but also the industry itself as a family, from bait suppliers to trap-makers and everyone who makes the lobster a great industry in Maine.

New this year is Steins and Vines samplings of local breweries at the Main Street entrance of the Lighthouse Museum. This event is open to guests 21 and older (no children are allowed and no one younger than 21 will be admitted). Featured brewers are Rock Harbor Brewing, Gritty's Brewing, Andrew's Brewing, Peak Organic Brewing and Sebago Brewing. The featured vintners are Cellardoor Winery, Breakwater Vineyards, Savage Oaks Vineyards, and Sweetgrass Winery. Also, Sweetgrass will present their Three Crow Rum and award winning Back River Gin.

Tickets may still be available online at www.mainelobsterfestival.com. Cost is $30 per person in advance or $35 per person at the door.

The Cook-off will be held July 30 through Aug. 3 at Harbor Park along the city's waterfront. Five amateur adult chefs will be judged on their favored Maine seafood recipes.

Coast Guard tall ship Eagle in the the harbor!

The USCGC Barque Eagle will be arriving Friday, Aug. 1. Tours are available Saturday, Aug. 2, and Sunday, Aug. 3, throughout the day at the Coast Guard pier on Tillson Ave.

 Traffic alerts

For those driving through Warren and Thomaston along Route 1, remember to follow the detour signs which will take you to Rte. 90, then to Rte. 17. To avoid stress, take advantage of the FREE parking at Oceanside East High School where a free shuttle bus takes you downtown to the festival. Signs will be posted along the route.  Buses run every 30 minutes from the high school and middle school to the festival grounds and back. Check the Rockland Lobster Festival website for the shuttle schedule.

Of course, the main event is the lobster fest.

LOBSTER DINNERS

• Maine Lobster Dinners: includes corn on the cob, dinner roll, melted Cabot butter

- single 1-1⁄4 lb. lobster $15 - double lobster $28 - triple lobster $36

• Maine Shore Dinner: 1-1/4 lb. Maine lobster, steamed clams, corn on the cob, cole slaw,

dinner roll, melted Cabot butter. $29 (also available with double or triple lobster at additional cost)

• Corn on the cob (locally grown sweet corn) $1.50

• Homemade coleslaw $1.50

(Please note: you do not have to stand in the Lobster Dinner serving line to obtain a la carte items.

(MC, VISA & Discover accepted)

A la carte menu

The following items are available on the LEFT SIDE of the Eating Tent.

• Maine Fisherman's Platter: fried haddock, fried scallops, fried shrimp, fried clams, cole slaw; w/tartar & cocktail sauce. $19

• Steamed Maine mussels (steamed w/garlic, sautéed vegetables in wine & melted Cabot butter) $9**

• Steamed Maine clams (w/ melted Cabot butter & broth) $15

• Shrimp (fried whole breaded) $10

• Scallops (fried) $13

• Haddock (fried) $10

• Clams (fried whole breaded) $14

• Crab Cakes (fried) $6

• Calamari (fried) $7

• Smoked seafood: Maine shrimp, mussels, scallops $7 (homemade mustard dill sauce)

Desserts: Homemade Maine blueberry cobbler $3, Strawberry shortcake $3

Beverages: water, SOBE water, soda, iced tea, lemonade, white milk, chocolate milk, coffee

** Price subject to change due to market conditions

Parade 

The Lobster Parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the top of North Main Street and heads south on Main Street to end at the Main Gate. Look for Democrat Senator Ed Mazurek of Rockland as Grand Marshal of the parade.

 Music

A diverse selection of musical groups adds to the beat of the festival. Singers include Daryle Singletary and Confederate Railroad. . Steelin' Thunder. Dave Mallett Band. Chamberlain. Amy Allen Band, And Saturday evening's Rock'n Blues Fest.  Check http://www.mainelobsterfestival.com/ for times and locations.

Other activities include a speed-knitting contest, 10K road race and 5K walk, pancake breakfasts, art show, Smokey's Greatest Shows, story tellers, children's lobster eating contest, face painting, and an "amusing and educational presentation on "Why you should say no to back bones."

History of the Festival

The Rockland Lobster festival started in 1948 in an attempt to revive the area's summer activities following WWII. 1948's "All you can eat for $1" caused a profit loss for festival organizers, and was not continued in pursuing years. The 1948 festival featured a parade, hot lobster cooked by several local dealers and trucked to Rockland 's Public Landing, a concert by the Rockland City Band on Saturday afternoon, and a coronation ball Saturday evening at the Rockland Community Building, according to the Rockland Lobster Festival history page.