What’s a car doing in a Windjammer Days update? Is it a classic beauty that you’ll see in the Street Parade? Could be, but it’s really here to call your attention to a new vintage addition to the Post Vintage Boat Parade Pier Party! That’s right, lovers of all things vintage: 10 cars with local owners will be at Bristol Marine for the party on Friday, June 28 immediately following the parade from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

The lineup of cars for this year’s event was announced at the April 10 Friends of Windjammer Days meeting: a red 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle, a baby blue and white 1960 Nash Metropolitan, a deep blue 1976 Triumph TR6; and a 1955 Porsche Speedster, 1949 Ford A, 1970 Chevrolet Stingray Corvette, 1931 Ford Cabriolet 68-B, 1987 AMC Pacer and a 1986 Mercedes Benz 560SL. Classic transportation by road and sea – a feast for the eyes, for sure! And, while we’re at the Pier Party, there’ll be live music by Dave Gagne, food (catered by Ralph Smith) and a cash bar. Tickets are on sale now! $65 per spectator, cash or check only. Each ticket includes with one drink ticket (wine/beer or soda).

Also new for 2024 is the Server Shuffle being held on Saturday, June 29 from 2 to 3 p.m. Local waitstaff will race against one another while carrying a tray of drinks across the footbridge. Sound easy? Not so much. Don’t miss this competition, which immediately follows the Tug Across the Harbor being held from 1 to 2 p.m. 

For a third year, the FWJD have chosen a group to shine the Festival Spotlight on; and this year it’s Boat Builders of the Boothbay Region. Members of the public are encouraged to meet these talented, interesting people during an informal Meet & Greet at Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort at 35 Atlantic Ave. on Monday, June 24 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The boat builders are Skip Orne, Bill Haggett, Bruce Washburn, Frank Luke, Tim Hodgdon, David Nutt, Tony Finocchiaro, Andy Tyska, Doug Goldhirsch, Ross Branch, Tom Farrell, Matt Sledge, Keith Royall, Rob Ham, Sherm Brewer, David Stimson, Jimmy Jones, Chip Haggett, David Thorpe and Katie Doughty.

Crab Cake Cook-Off announcements! Being held Monday, June 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Boothbay Harbor Inn. The competing restaurants are: Brady’s Restaurant (Judge’s Choice award winner 2023), Harborside 1901 Bar and Grill, Newagen Inn, and Whale’s Tale.

Judging will be Boothbay’s Cherie “Mumbai to Maine” Scott; Food and Travel Writer Joe Ricchio, and former restauranteur/head chef Mitch Weiss. Some of us remember when, in August 2006,  Bobby Flay and the Food Network arrived at the Lobster Dock challenging a very surprised Weiss to a Crab Cake Throwdown!

The two-day Artist Alley event being held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 28 has a fantastic line-up for art and artisan fans. Let’s start with the artists: Olean Babak (Thursday only), Don Demers, Jackie Jones, Rick Reinert, John Seitzer and Leonard Mizerek. Demers and Watkins will be holding instructional demos; Watkins on June 27 from 10 a.m. to noon and Demers from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on June 28, specifically on marine schooners at sea.

The artisan line-up brings Calli B - jewelry, Chris Cambridge - scrimshaw, Stephanie Crossman - handmade fish netting used for sculptures, Eric Darling - oil and up-cycled rope paintings, Dianne Horton - watercolors (Thursday only); Laura Kowacki - jewelry, Susan Lipman - glass chimes & jewelry, Natalie Reed - fine jewelry, Ann Schaefer - basketry, Nancy Shaul - pottery, Herenya Wilkey - stained glass, Courtney Hutchings - jewelry, Sari Weiss - jewelry, George Mattingly - paintings, and Morgan Bredeau - jewelry.

Boothbay’s Got Talent, the youth talent competition, will be held live at the YMCA, 261 Townsend Ave. Sunday, June 23 beginning at 6 p.m. There are two categories:  The Royal Windjammer (ages 7-12) and Top Royal (ages 13-18). There is not a gender assigned to either title. In addition to performing their talent, contestants are interviewed by the host. To compete, email Emily Mirabile at moorefromemily@gmail.com before Friday, June 2. All participants ride on the event’s float in the Street Parade.

Details continue to be finalized for the 62nd Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days coming our way Sunday, June 23 through Saturday, June 29. For all event details, visit www.boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org