ROCKLAND — Summer is here in Maine and before we know it, the 67th annual Maine Lobster Festival organizers will be firing up the giant lobster cookers and keeping a sharp eye out for the arrival of King Neptune.

Each year, King Neptune joins the festivities on the opening night of the Festival, presiding over the Maine Sea Goddess Coronation. This year’s emcee will be Dan Bookham of Rockland and the coronation is Friday, July 30, from 8 to 10 p.m. on the Main Stage on the Festival grounds.

The judges include Robert E. Carter Jr. of Warren, a former elementary school principal and retired banker; Wayne Luce of Union, co-owner of Luce Transportation and Safe Way; Gilbert Fifield of Camden, chairman at Allen Insurance & Financial; Anna Mason of Owls Head, registered nurse and current owner of Ship to Shore Lobster Company; and Nancy Spear Schwab of Port Clyde, celebrating her 50-year anniversary as the 1964 Maine Sea Goddess as well as a former stern man with her husband and a local substitute teacher.

The Judges Banquet will be held Friday, July 25, at the Samoset Resort. This event is open to the public. Reservations are required, and tickets are $32 per person. To reserve tickets, contact Sharon Lombardo at 594-4559.

The winner of the pageant receives a cash prize and the title of The Maine Lobster Festival Sea Goddess with a crown. She reigns at many events throughout the year, culminating with the start of the 2015 Lobster Festival. Also crowned is the Crown Princess and Miss Congeniality.

The reigning 2013 Maine Sea Goddess is Melissa Philbrook, the 2013 Crown Princess is Hannah Elizabeth Plourde and the 2013 Miss Congeniality is Zoey Jeanne Proctor. All three will preside over the opening of this year’s Maine Lobster Festival, and their reigns will end Friday night when a new Sea Goddess, Crown Princess and Miss Congeniality will be crowned.

The 2014 Crown Princesses are:

Abby Megan Hersom, of Rockland, is a 2014 graduate of Oceanside High School East. She is the daughter of Michael and Hope Hersom. Her school activities included softball, cross-country, indoor track, outdoor track, volunteering and student government. She was the president of the National Honor Society and a STEM/LA Endorsement Committee member. Her hobbies include running, yoga, baking, skiing, hiking and painting. She is employed by the Samoset Resort. She plans to attend Stonehill College and to major in health care administration. Abby's sponsors are F/V Superstition IV of Spruce Head and Glen Cove Dental Associates.

Carrie Ann Milner, of Lincolnville, is a 2014 graduate of Camden Hills Regional High School. She is the daughter of Alvin and Cheryl Milner. Her school activities included acting as a Wellness Team student representative, senior editor of yearbook and a member of the International Club. Her hobbies are hiking, biking, running, playing basketball for fun, spending time with friends and family, crafting and baking. She is employed by River Ducks Ice Cream in Camden. She plans to attend the University Of Maine, was accepted into the university's Honors College, and will pursue pre-med studies to become a doctor and possibly join the ROTC program. Carrie's sponsor is "Odd Ball"/Islesboro Marine Enterprises.

Isabella Sgobbo Garver, of Owls Head, is a 2014 graduate of Oceanside High School East. She is the daughter of William and Andrea Garver. Her school activities included playing field hockey and lacrosse, being part of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and participating in Student Government and Key Club. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, skiing, learning, going to the beach, travelling, volunteering and playing sports. Isabella is employed at Clan MacLaren in Rockland. Her future plans are to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute and study neuroscience while playing field hockey. Isabella's sponsor is Michael Good Designs of Rockport and Rockland.

Kimberly Nicole Young, of Rockland, is a 2014 graduate of Oceanside High School East. She is the daughter of Jeremy Young and Stacy Brown. Her school activities included playing soccer and lacrosse, and contributing to the school yearbook. Her hobbies include volunteering, reading, running, rescue and photography. Kimberly is employed at Denny's in Rockport and the Dip Net in Port Clyde. She plans to attend the University of Maine at Augusta's Bangor campus in the fall to study veterinary technology. Kimberly's sponsors are Midcoast Marine Supply of Waldoboro, Knight's Marine and Jess's Market of Rockland.

Liberty Logan McKnight, of Thomaston, is a 2014 graduate of Hebron Academy. She is the daughter of Aimee Liberty Hunt. At her school she was a proctor and a green key coordinator. Her hobbies include volunteering at the Maine Lighthouse Museum, ceramics and skiing. Her future plans are to attend Roanoke College in the fall to study communication. She hopes to one day write for a magazine or another form of public media.

Lindsay Michelle Taylor, of Rockport, is a 2014 graduate of Camden Hills Regional High School. She is the daughter of Kevin and Lynn Taylor. Her school activities included drama, women's choir, Latin club and National Honor Society. Her hobbies are drawing, reading, writing, singing, and theatre. Lindsay is employed at the Landings Marina. She plans to attend Saint Anselm College to study classical archaeology. Lindsay's sponsors are The Landing Marina and Rockland Carwash & Xpress Lube.

Olivia Mae Hupper, of Tenants Harbor, is a 2014 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Brian and Leah Hupper. Her school activities included playing lacrosse, being a member of student government, National Honor Society, Key Club and Every 15 Minutes. Her hobbies include figure skating, drawing and painting. She is employed at Midcoast Recreation Center and works in their basic skills program. She plans to attend Maine Maritime Academy to study international business and logistics, and also plans to continue playing lacrosse for MMA. Olivia's sponsors are F/V Olivia Mae and Granite Gardens of Tenants Harbor and Bob the Builder LLC of Rockland.

Samantha Greer Dienesch-Calamari, of Owls Head, is a 2014 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of George and Karen Dienesch-Calamari. Her school activities included being a member of Key Club, student government, National Honor Society, math team, theater and the track team. Her hobbies include painting, acting in school plays, dancing and volunteering in the community. She is employed by Planet Toys. She plans to attend Wake Forest University as a pre-med major with the hopes of becoming an emergency room doctor. Samantha's sponsor is O'Hara Corporation.

Shae Lexis Dunn, of Union, is a 2014 graduate of Camden Hills Regional High School. She is the daughter of Steven and Janetlynne Dunn. Her school activities included being part of the art club, GSA (New York) and Spring Course at FIT NYC. Her hobbies include sewing, crafts, baking, cooking and all things creative. She is employed at Cappy's Chowder House. Her future plan is to get a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene. Shae's sponsors are Cappy's Chowder House and Harborview of Camden, Coppola Salon & Day Spa, Dr. William Coppola of Rockland and Beltone New England of Rockport.

Shale Paige Peters, of Thomaston, is a 2013 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Clyson and Dyann Peters. Her school activities included field hockey, cheerleading, Skills USA and writing for Polished magazine. Her hobbies include photography, Photoshop, camping, kayaking and beachcombing for sea glass. She plans to study graphic design at Lasell College. Shale's sponsors are Rockland Ford and Diane and Thomas Shipp of Cohasset, Mass.

Sienna Nicole Barstow, of Thomaston, is a 2014 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Andy and Amy Barstow. Her school activities included playing soccer and lacrosse, and being a member of Key Club and Trekkers. Her hobbies are volunteering, camping, swimming, working out, reading, rapping and hiking. Sienna is employed by the Monhegan Boat Line. She plans to attend Endicott College to pursue a degree in digital journalism. Sienna's sponsor is Monhegan Boat Line in Saint George.

Tabbitha L. Johnston, of Thomaston, is a 2014 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Erika Petereit and Todd Johnston. Her school activities included acting as president of her class, and being a member of student government and Key Club. Her hobbies are ballet, watching comedy/romance movies and socializing. Her future plans are to attend the University of Maine at Augusta to study architecture. Tabbitha's sponsors are Nathan and Charlotte Pease of Union, F/Vs Gail Donna and Heidi Smith both of Thomaston.

Taylor Louise Ankers, of Rockland, is a 2014 graduate of Oceanside High School. She is the daughter of Jennifer Ankers. Her school activities included drama, prom committee, Project Graduation, JV basketball, NEASC Committee and assistant coaching the Oceanside Girls Little League softball team. Her hobbies are long road trips, four wheeling, snowmobiling, fishing, weight lifting, piano and volunteering. She plans to attend the University of Southern Maine to study social work. Taylor's sponsor is Kips Seafood Company of Cushing.

Veronica Hazel Odone, of South Thomaston, is a 2014 graduate of MidCoast Christian Academy. She is the daughter of Russell and Tracy Odone. Her school activities included Girl Scouts and volunteering at school events. Her hobbies include sewing, reading, babysitting, taking care of animals and writing stories. Her future plans are to attend the University of Maine at Rockland to pursue a degree in business. Veronica's sponsors are Atwood's Lobster of Spruce Head and the Rockland Café.