CAMDEN — On Labor Day weekend, Camden throws a celebration on and around the harbor and everyone's invited. There is plenty to see at the annual Camden Windjammer Festival, but it’s even more fun to join in and be in the thick of all the action.

The festival needs more volunteers to make the event a success - more hands make for lighter work. In exchange for a four-hour shift, volunteers will receive a Festival T-shirt and a voucher for a free trip on one of the smaller boats after the festival.

• Tired of waiting for your ship to come in? Build your own vessel in the build-a-boat contest and enter the race around the harbor for a trophy and bragging rights. Check the website for rules and a sign-up form, and show up at the public landing Saturday, Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. to get your supplies and to start building. The DIY fleet will be limited to 10 boats so don't delay.

• For the swift and nimble, the crate race is an exciting challenge. Contestants attempt to run cross as many crates, strung together, as they can in two minutes. Check the website for rules and a sign-up form. Signups start Saturday Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. and the race is limited to the first 30 daredevils to sign up.

• On Sunday, show off your best friend at the P.A.W.S. Sea Dog Show. There are lots of categories for all levels of talent and cuteness, and an obstacle course to boot.

• The Pirates of the Dark Rose, a band of some two dozen buccaneers, will sail into Camden Harbor on the 55-foot topsail yawl Must Roos, complete with cannons, swards and plenty of attitude and bravado. The ship will “attack” Camden on Sunday afternoon, and wander the streets throughout the day. There will also be demonstrations of weapons and cannons to train future recruits to the pirate life.

Visit camdenwindjammerfestival.org for more information, schedule of events and the latest news.