Thanks to a great team effort, the Camden Windjammer Festival came to town during the recent Labor Day Weekend. It took many people and organizations to make the festival a reality.

Thanks first to the windjammer fleet, the day tour boats and many private vessels which make the festival the outstanding sight that it is. Captain Jim Sharp provided commentary on the boats as they arrived and filled everyone in on the history of the schooners in Camden. Wayfarer Marine provided the harbor support including an all comers boat parade to round out the festival on Sunday afternoon.

The Maritime Heritage Fair was the centerpiece of the land based events showcasing a range of exhibitors demonstrating and explaining maritime skills and knowledge. Shed City loaned us a lovely shed as an information center and Lyman Technologies provided the solar generator that powered the exhibits and build-a-boat contest. Mark Sigenthaler organized and managed the build-a-boat, providing assistance to all participants. Our thanks to EBS for the building materials and Sika Corporation for the glue. Seth Silverton and Jessica Manbeck organized and ran the lobster crate race with the help of John Viehman, harbormaster Steve Pixley and his team and sponsorship and volunteer assistance from Camden National Bank.

Camden and West Bay Rotary clubs contributed a pancake breakfast and chowder challenge respectively. Ten local restaurants supported the Rotary and the festival by contributing wonderful chowder. Winners were Graffams, PenBay Regional Hospital Cafeteria and Cappy’s. Thanks to Pete Lammert, of Thomaston, for the loan of the event tent, which came in handy for the breakfast and chowder. The P.A.W.S. staged a fun dog show and the Pirates of the Dark Rose entertained visitors including a dramatic arrival of the ship Must Roos.

The Town of Camden was a supportive partner. The Harbor Master’s office, the Fire Department, Parks and Rec Department, Public Works, Police Department, Pat Finnigan and the administrative staff all were major contributors to the success of the event. North East Mobile Health Services provided essential safety support.

Major sponsorship was provided by Camden National Bank, Point Lookout, Allen Insurance and Financial, The First, Lord Camden Inn and Country Inn. Media sponsors were Down East Magazine, Courier Publications and Penobscot Bay Pilot. Key contributors were Elm Street Marketing Essentials (rack cards) and Adventure Advertising (signs and crate logos. Terrific coverage of the whole festival was provided by PenBay Pilot and Courier Publications. A small but mighty team of volunteers helped to keep everything ticking along. The Camden Windjammer Festival is truly a community event that seeks to showcase the maritime heritage that made Camden what she is today.

The Camden Windjammer Festival Steering Committee comprises Emily Lusher, John Viehman, Meg Sharp, Dan Bookham, Seth Silverton and Jessica Manbeck with liaisons from the Windjammer Fleet, Town of Camden, PenBay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Camden and West Bay Rotaries.