Rockland's waterfront is about to see a flurry of activity as boat dealers from up and down the coast arrive with watercraft to display at the Maine Boat & Home Show’s docks at Harbor Park, Aug. 8-10. 

This year’s in-water exhibits include some 40 boats, ranging from tenders, runabouts, and center-console sport boats to luxury cruisers and trawlers.

On shore, visitors will find another 20 trailerable models, along with marine equipment, clothing, and boat toys designed to make time on the water safer and more enjoyable for the whole family. In addition, three of Maine’s iconic vessels will visit the outer dock at this year’s show, the Maine Seacoast Mission’s Sunbeam on Friday, 12-Meter racing yacht Gleam on Saturday, and the schooner Harvey Gamage on Sunday.

But loads of boats isn’t the only reason to visit the 20th edition of Maine’s largest in-water show. Tent and land exhibitors include fine home furnishings, furniture, jewelry, art, homeowner services and more.

“The collection of boats and exhibitors at this year’s show is impressive,” said show manager Kate Holden, in a news release. “Attendees will discover boats for sale, local artists and makers, and ideas about how to enjoy life here on the coast. We have a full schedule of events that offers something for everyone to enjoy.”

Throughput the three-day celebration of life along the Maine coast, local plein air painters will be on site to capture on canvas the excitement of the show and the city’s working waterfront. Their works will be on display on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Art Show at the Show. There will be onsite food vendors, a special area set aside for kids’ activities, and musical acts, including the Blue Hills Brass on Friday, Nashville recording artists Wild Bill and the Bruisers on Saturday, and roving fiddle player Cara Lauzon on Sunday.

New at this year’s show will be two days of educational presentations, with vendor demos on Friday that will include a range of topics, from oar making to electric propulsion to green cleaning products for the boat and home. Then on Saturday, there will be two seminars, where industry experts will explain what’s involved in buying and owning a new or used boat. The morning session is geared to sailboats, with powerboats the focus in the afternoon. 

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For a complete list of exhibitors, a show schedule or to buy tickets in advance, visit maineboats.com/boatshow. 

Media Contact: Boat Show Manager Kate Holden, 207-632-7369, showmanager@maineboats.com