Building Rockland's Lobster Trap Tree Takes Volunteers

Rockland, Maine - Rockland Main Street, Inc. has been building the World's Largest Lobster Trap Tree since 2003, celebrating 12 years in 2015. Built by volunteers from Apprentice Shop, Bolduc Correctional Facility, Rockland Maine Street and U.S Coast Guard station Rockland the Trap Tree is constructed from 154 traps built specially for Rockland Main Street Inc. by Brooks Trap Mill in Thomaston, Maine. Each trap weighs 40 pounds. A special engineering plan allows the height to tower to 35 ft. Each trap is outfitted with a red door to help with the festive look. 480 ft of garland decorate the tree along with 2,500 lights and 125 lobster buoys that were brought to the tree by lobstering families to decorate the original tree. The tree is lighted from the inside, as well as twinkle lights that wind through the garland. The final topper is a 5ft fiberglass lobster that reigns over the tree for the holiday season.

Lobstering and the working waterfront is Rockland's heritage and what makes our community authentic and salty. We are proud to celebrate that every year with our Lobster Trap Tree.

Thanksgiving weekend is filled with Christmas event hosted by Rockland Main Street.

Schedule:

Santa arrives via U.S. Coast Guard vessel at 12:00 Noon on Friday the 27th, the Lobster Trap
Christmas Tree will be up, and storefronts along Main Street will be decorated.

Upon his arrival at the Middle Pier, Santa will be escorted by his biggest fans to the corner of Park and Main Streets, where he will officially declare Downtown Rockland “Open for The Holidays”, with a ribbon cutting. He’ll then retire to his workshop in Mildred Merrill Park, where he will greet children and their families during the afternoon.  Free horse-drawn wagon rides will also be available.

The lighting of the Lobster Trap Christmas Tree, hyperbolically measured by some as the largest of its kind in the world, will occur on Friday evening. Santa will be assisted by the mayor and others in flipping of the switch at 6:00. The lead sponsor for the lighting of the Lobster Trap Tree is Camden National Bank.

Music for Santa’s arrival and for the tree lighting will be provided by the Midcoast Music Academy.

On Saturday November 28th, Santa will return to his workshop at Noon to greet children during the afternoon. Free horse-drawn wagon rides will be available, and downtown businesses will be open with special promotions for Small Business Saturday.

According to Gordon Page, executive director of Rockland Main Street, Inc., shopping in a downtown district is far more appealing than any shopping mall. He noted that ‘Main Streets’ in every town and city of all sizes offer unique advantages, and added that, “during the holidays and all year long, Downtown Rockland offers a vibrant community connection with city residents, friends from neighboring towns and merchants that are known by their first names”.  

Saturday night features the annual Parade of Lights, beginning at 6:00. Floats sponsored by participating businesses, neighborhoods and organizations will gather at the public landing beforehand. The parade route will be Main Street heading north, and will continue to Summer, Union, Park and back onto Main Street, where the parade floats will remain for about an hour. The lead sponsor for the Festival of Lights parade is the The FIRST Bank.

Parade-goers are encouraged to “vote” for their favorite float with non-perishable food and new, unwrapped gifts that will be donated to the Salvation Army. Hot chocolate will be available at strategic locations along Main Street.

On Sunday the 29th, families will have an opportunity to have Breakfast With Santa at Eclipse Restaurant at 2 Park Drive beginning at 8:30 AM. Breakfast is $2 for children and $5 for adults. The breakfast is sponsored by Bixby & Co.