The Friendship Sloop Society will be celebrating Maine’s maritime history with three days of sloop races, July 16 - July 18, in Rockland Harbor.

Sloops begin arriving at The Landings Marina, 1 Commercial Street, Rockland on Wednesday July 15. The public can view the sloops on the dock any time during the three-day event when not racing.

Races begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, and Friday, July 17.

Saturday, July 18, begins with a parade of sloops at 11 a.m. with races beginning at 12 p.m.

Spectators may watch the races from the Rockland Breakwater, and the parade will be visible from the Rockland Public Landing. 

Originally designed and built in Friendship, Maine, these sailing vessels served as one of the state’s first lobster and fishing boats and are now a classic Maine pleasure-craft, according to Friendship Sloop Society, in a news release. There are 285 sloops registered with the Friendship Sloop Society including the oldest wooden original built in 1899 that is still sailing today. 

Race length is weather and wind dependent, lasts several hours, and utilizes a five-mark triangular course including a handicap alley to accommodate sloops of all sizes. 

This event is family-friendly and free to the public.