Plot a course for Camden Harbor on Sept 1-2, 2023 when the Maine Windjammer Association fleet will join additional windjammers and day sailing schooners in Camden Harbor for the 28th annual Camden Windjammer Festival.
Beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday the Camden public landing will be filled with artisan and food vendors and maritime demonstrations. Also starting at 9 a.m., the windjammers are auctioning eight two-person dinner opportunities. The winning bidders can join captain, crew and guests aboard the windjammers for dinner that night. This is a rare opportunity to dine on one of these vessels, which spend May to October offering multi-nights sailing cruises along Maine’s midcoast. The silent auction will be underway at the Maine Windjammer Association tent near the Harbor Master’s office all day until 4 p.m., when winners will be announced. Phone bidding is offered Friday as well (207-558-8761). Dinners include appetizers, entree, and dessert for two, plus a complimentary bottle of wine donated by Cellardoor winery. Proceeds support the Festival and fireworks. Visit the Camden Windjammer Festival website for auction details and menu previews: https://camdenparksandrec.com/camden-windjammer-festival/.
Also on Friday, the Windjammers begin parading into the harbor beginning around 1 p.m. Capt. Jim Sharp, local windjammer historian and expert who celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this month, will provide running commentary on the history and glory of each vessel as it makes its way to its berth at the public docks.
Friday evening includes an outdoor concert at 6 p.m., and a whimsical and entertaining talent show from 7:30-8:45 p.m. with entertainment provided by the guests and crews of the Maine Windjammer Association fleet and others in Harbor Park. The evening culminates with fireworks over the harbor at 9 p.m.
Saturday morning, Sept. 2, begins early with the Camden Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast, which benefits local charities. Saturday’s festivities include the “Build-a-tiny boat” event for kids, the West Bay Rotary Club’s Chowder Challenge and the crowd-favorite Lobster Crate Race where contestants race across a line of crates trying to avoid falling into the harbor. After the crate races, the windjammers at the head of the harbor are open for public tours from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Tours close at 4:30 p.m. sharp.
Entrance to the Camden Windjammer Festival is free, with generous financial and in-kind support from numerous businesses, organizations and individual volunteers, in partnership with the Town of Camden, which runs the event. The Fireworks, Talent Show and Crate Race are sponsored by Camden National Bank, Bay View Collection, Maine State Credit Union, Allen Insurance and Financial, and Journey’s End Marina, with additional funding provided by Symmetree, Leslie Curtis Designs, French & Brawn Marketplace, Jessie Tobias Design, Carver Hill Gallery, The Smiling Cow, The Leather Bench, Page Gallery, PG Willey, River Ducks Ice Cream and The Camden Comets.
The detailed schedule of events is available at www.camdenparksandrec.com/camden-windjammer-festival/. The Camden Windjammer Festival is organized by Camden Parks & Recreation. For more information on the Maine Windjammer Association visit www.SailMaineCoast.com.
