CAMDEN — The Camden Windjammer Festival is the Midcoast's annual celebration of its maritime heritage. It is all free to visitors and exhibitors, but it takes a community to bring it to life.

The festival begins Friday, Aug. 29, with the arrival of the schooners followed by a talent show and fireworks; and runs through Sunday, Aug. 31. The harbor fills with schooners, exhibits, food, a crate race, build-a-boat contest and race, pirates and more.

Camden's windjammer celebration has always depended on the active involvement and support of local residents and businesses. Without this vital corps of support, hosting an event that brings together 20 classic vessels, scores of exhibitors, 2-1/2 activity-packed days, and 7,000 attendees from near and far could quickly become a logistical and financial impossibility. The current very small organizing committee feels that Camden's maritime heritage is about its people as much as it is about the ships and skills on display. And without more people to help run this effort and more funds to support it, it is possible that the Windjammer Festival may not be sustainable.

In order to keep this festival alive, the committee needs more community support including:
• Volunteers to staff the information table, handle the entrance gate and help with dockside events. Click Volunteer on camdenwindjammerfestival.org to sign up.
• Volunteers to help organize the festival and raise funds to cover costs. Email us at info@camdenwindjammerfestival.org if you would like to get involved.
• Donations to the festival. You can make a tax-deductible donation by clicking Donate on the Festival website.
• Have your business become a sponsor. Businesses that become sponsors receive recognition in press releases and during the festival itself. Email us for more information on sponsorship.

The festival is an all-volunteer community-led celebration under the auspices of the Camden Windjammer Festival Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations and sponsorships directly support the Festival's mission, with no salaries, wages or fees paid to committee members. The festival is produced in partnership with the Town of Camden, Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Camden Downtown Business Group, Maine Windjammer Association and Maine Windjammer Cruises, and both West Bay and Camden Rotary clubs.