Maine Lobster Festival & Union Fair Kicked Off Today, July 30th

Rockland/Union, Maine - The Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland, Maine and Union Fair in Union Fair in Union, Maine kicked off today July 30th, 2025.

On Wednesday opening day of Maine Lobster Festival  King Neptune and his court, along with Caitlyn Lamb, the 2024 Maine Lobster Festival Delegate, arrived on the main dock from the briny deep courtesy of the USCG to raise the flag and officially open the 78th Maine Lobster Festival. Flag raising ceremony took place at the flagpole by the Harbor Master’s building.

Also on opening day, The Maine Lobster Festival Delegate will be chosen along with a

The Maine Lobster Festival Announces 2025 Delegate Candidates

Rockland, Maine - The Maine Lobster Festival announced the five candidates for the 2025 Delegate, who will represent the festival and the lobster industry at fairs, parades and other events.

 

Running for the position of 2025 Delegate are Kayla Baines of South Thomaston, Nataleigh Corbett of Cushing, Rebecca Spearing of Owls Head, Riley Whitman of Rockland and Trishelle Ames of Warren.

 

Kayla Baines is an Oceanside High School graduate of the class of 2025. Her high school

Raise Your Glass at the Annual Steins & Vines Tasting Event

Celebrate Maine’s craft beverage scene at the 78th Maine Lobster Festival.

Rockland, Maine -The beloved Steins & Vines Tasting Event is back this summer, showcasing an exceptional lineup of Maine-made and Maine-distributed brews, wines and spirits. This popular tasting experience is set to take place on the Festival grounds on Wednesday, July 30, and

Get Ready for “The Dog Days of Summer” at The Maine Lobster Festival’s Big Parade!

Get Ready for “The Dog Days of Summer”

at The Maine Lobster Festival’s Big Parade!  

ROCKLAND, MAINE — Wonder what the most popular event at the Maine Lobster Festival is? Look no further than The Big Parade! Drawing the largest crowds of the week, this fan-favorite event kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, on Main Street, right in the heart of downtown Rockland, Maine.

This year’s parade theme is “The Dog Days of Summer” — and participants are encouraged

75th Maine Lobster Festival Offering Free Admission

Rockland, Maine - The Maine Lobster Festival offering free admission every day is just one of the exciting new changes coming to the Festival this year. The Festival will take place Aug. 3-7 at Harbor Park in Rockland, Maine.

 

Enjoy fireworks over Rockland Harbor after the Maine Sea Goddess Coronation on Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 9:30 p.m., and again Saturday, Aug. 6 at 9:30 p.m. The best view will be on the Festival grounds at Harbor Park.

 

The popular Steins & Vines Tasting Event is back and bigger than ever, with two sessions on Thursday, Aug. 4 and two sessions Friday, Aug. 5. This event

Maine Lobster Festival Announces 2022 Sea Princesses and Coronation Judges

Rockland, Maine - The Maine Lobster Festival is pleased to announce that five young ladies have been selected as Sea Princesses to compete for the title of 2022 Maine Sea Goddess at the 75th Maine Lobster Festival.

 

The coronation will be held Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 6:30 pm on the Maine stage on the Festival grounds at Harbor Park in Rockland, Maine. Also crowned will be the Crown Princess and Miss Congeniality.

 

2022 Sea Princesses

Elsbeth Bates, 18, of Litchfield, is a 2022

Maine Lobster Festival Seeks Contestants for Seafood Cooking Contest

Rockland, Maine - The Maine Lobster Festival is looking for amateur chefs to compete in its annual Seafood Cooking Contest, Friday, August 5, 2022.

 

Amateur chefs as young as 18 years old are invited to apply for a chance to compete for $525 in prize money. First place will receive $200, second place will receive $175, and third place will

Maine Lobster Festival Invites Artists to Enter Open Juried Art Show

Rockland, Maine - The Maine Lobster Festival is looking for entries for the Open Juried Art Show taking place on the Festival grounds during the 75th Maine Lobster Festival, August 3-7, 2022. Artists are invited to showcase their talent and passion. Any medium is allowed, and the only requirements are creativity and a passion for art.

There will be two special art awards given. The Eddie Harriman Award is given to the artwork that features the Maine Lobster Festival theme, "Lobsters". This

MAINE POSITIVE TV: 2018 Maine Lobster Festival Parade

Rockland, Maine- MAINE POSITIVE TV presents the 2018 Maine Lobster Festival Parade in it's entirety.  Enjoy one of Maine's premeere events from the comfort of your easy chair.  Find more videos from the Maine Lobster Festival on our "Maine Lobster Festival" channel.  One whole channel dedicated to the Maine Lobster Festival.

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Maine Lobster Festival Final Day (Sunday, August 5th) Events

Rockland, Maine - 71st annual Maine Lobster Festival final day events held on Sunday, August 5th, 2018 at harbor park in Rockland, Maine.

7:00 a.m.

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR ALL KIDS’ EVENTS

Children

Registration officially opens for International Great Crate Race, Kids’ Fun Run, Children’s Lobster Eating Contest, and Little Lobster Diaper Derby.

7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST - MAIN EATING TENT

Food

All-the-pancakes-you-can-eat breakfast in the Food Tent featuring blueberry pancakes, juice, coffee and milk. Cost: $6 for adults, $3 for children; offered through Sunday.

8:00 a.m.

10K ROAD RACE AND 5K WALK/RUN

Entertainment

Start your Sunday morning with a timed run or walk around the beautiful town of Rockland. 8:00 am, near the main gate

8:30 a.m.

1 MILE KIDS’ FUN RUN, NEAR THE MAIN GATE

Children

9:00 a.m.

FUN RUN, 5K AND 10K AWARD PRESENTATION - MAIN STAGE AREA

Awards will be presented near the Main Stage

10:00 a.m.

CHILDREN'S PARADE

Children

Sign up at the far end of the Eating Tent at 9 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

USCG TOURS SUN

Other

Tours of the United States Coast Guard Station schedule:

Thursday August 2 - Times 10:00AM, 1:00PM, 3:00PM

Friday August 3 - Times 10:00AM, 1:00PM, 3:00PM

Sunday August 5 - Times 10:00AM, 1:00PM, 3:00PM

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

USCG TOURS

Other

Aug 5 - 10am, 1pm, 3pm

The Coast Guard Base is located at 54 Tillson Ave. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, please. NO pets or backpacks/luggage and no open-toed shoes are allowed.

11:00 a.m.

LOBSTER SERVING BEGINS

Food

Visit our Food Tent for our famous steamed lobster dinners, shore dinners, lobster bisque, lobster mac-n-cheese and fried seafood offerings and our Lobster Café for lobster rolls, lobster wraps, and lobster caesar salad. 

All Food Vendors open at 11 am

11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

SMOKEY’S GREATER SHOWS - BRACELET DAY!

Children

11:30 a.m.

COD FISH CARRY AND LOBSTER EATING CONTEST

Food

Maine Stage

12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

KATHLEEN FOX SIGNING 2019 COASTAL MAINE CALENDARS

Other

Kathleen Fox Singing 2019 Coastal Maine Calendars. Marine Tent.

12:30 p.m.

LITTLE LOBSTER DIAPER DERBY - MAIN STAGE

Children

Maine Stage

1:00 p.m.

JOJO THOREAU - CHILDREN’S AUTHOR

Entertainment

North Entertainment Tent

JoJo started formulating stories when she was seven years old and published her first book Bendy Wendy in 2014 at age 9 and her second book Buckaroo Bobbie Sue in 2015. She lives in rural Maine and loves to spend time at libraries discovering new authors as well as old favorites.  She is a member of the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance (MWPA), Western Writers of America (WWA) and Women Writing the West (WWW).

1:30 p.m.

COAST GUARD CRATE RACE THROWDOWN

Entertainment

Members of the Coast Guard stationed here in Rockland will compete for the title of Crate Race champions in this epic throwdown event.

2:00 p.m.

INTERNATIONAL GREAT LOBSTER CRATE RACE BEGINS AT ROCKLAND HARBOR

Entertainment

Registration starts at 7AM at the Information Tent. The race is at the Waterfront and begins at 2pm

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

THE LOWDOWN BAND

Entertainment

Maine Stage

An entertaining folk group.

5:00 p.m.

WREATH CEREMONY

Entertainment

King Neptune and the 2018 Sea Goddess will lead a wreath ceremony for fishermen lost at sea, held at the public pier.

6:00 p.m.

71ST MAINE LOBSTER FESTIVAL CLOSES

Other

See you at the 72nd annual Maine Lobster Festival, July 31 - August 4, 2019!

71st Maine Lobster Festival Fourth Day (Saturday, August 4th) Events

Rockland, Maine - 71st annual Maine Lobster Festival fourth day events held on Saturday, August 4th, 2018 at harbor park in Rockland, Maine

Saturday

All Day

HAPPY 228TH BIRTHDAY TO THE U.S. COAST GUARD!

Other

Happy 228th Birthday To The U.S. Coast Guard! To recognize active duty Coast Guard members on this special day, we would like to offer FREE admission to their dependents today. Thank you for your service to our city and our country.

7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST - MAIN EATING TENT

Food

All-the-pancakes-you-can-eat breakfast in the Food Tent featuring blueberry pancakes, juice, coffee and milk. Cost: $6 for adults, $3 for children; offered through Sunday.

10:00 a.m.

THE BIG PARADE, ROCKLAND MAIN STREET

Entertainment

“Kids, Laughter & Lobster” 

11:00 a.m.

LOBSTER SERVING BEGINS

Food

Visit our Food Tent for our famous steamed lobster dinners, shore dinners, lobster bisque, lobster mac-n-cheese and fried seafood offerings and our Lobster Café for lobster rolls, lobster wraps, and lobster caesar salad. 

All Food Vendors open at 11 am

12:30 p.m.

"THE BAND" MARCHING UNIT DEMONSTRATION

Entertainment

Maine Stage

12:30 p.m.

MAINE CABIN MASTERS

Entertainment

North Entertainment Tent

Meet the DYI Network Stars and wicked cool Mainah’s and ask them the tough questions like “can you actually get there from here?”

1:00 p.m.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHEERLEADERS PHOTO OP & AUTOGRAPHS

Other

New England Patriots Cheerleaders Photo Op & Autographs. Maine Stage.

2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

MONDAY NIGHT JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Entertainment

Maine Stage

A big band is hitting the big stage with a variety of Latin, jazz, funk, and blues.

3:00 p.m.

MAD SCIENCE - FIRE AND ICE SHOW

Entertainment

North Entertainment Tent

Join us for scientific fun with fire and ice! Kids will explore and learn about the amazing properties of fire and combustion. Witness the “Swoosh, Whoosh, Aaah” experiment along with the “Big Burp”, the “Sizzling Scissors” and the famous “Mad Science Shower”. Mad Science provides live, interactive and compelling educational experiences that make learning a blast!

4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

UKES ROCK

Entertainment

Maine Stage

A popular local ukulele group.

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THE 10K ROAD RACE AND 5K WALK

Last chance to pre-register for the 10K Road Race and 5K Run/Walk. If you've already registered online, you can pick up your packet at this time so you can head straight to the start line in the morning. Come to the tent at the bottom of the hill inside the Main Gate.

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

STEELIN’ THUNDER

Entertainment

Maine Stage

Don’t miss Midcoast Maine’s steel drum sensations – Hawaiian shirts strongly encouraged.

8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

PAT COLWELL AND THE SOUL SENSATIONS

Entertainment

Maine Stage

A Powerful mix of Motown and Memphis soul guaranteed to bring down the house.

Maine Lobster Festival Statement On The Resignation of 2018 Maine Sea Goddess

Erin Dugan assumes Sea Goddess duties.

Rockland, Maine - According to Maine Lobster Festival, The Maine Lobster Festival would like to take this time to explain the events leading to the resignation of Taylor Hamlin as the 2018 Maine Sea Goddess.

After the Maine Sea Goddess Coronation on August 1, photos of inappropriate behavior posted on Taylor Hamlin’s personal social media pages was brought to the attention of the Board of Directors.

On August 2 the Board of Directors and the Coronation Committee met with Taylor to discuss the photos that were not in keeping with the behavior and image of the Maine Sea Goddess. At that time Taylor decided to resign her position as Maine Sea Goddess. Later in the day the Board of Directors met with Taylor and her parents, where Taylor officially resigned as the 2018 Maine Sea Goddess.

Crown Princess Erin Dugan will assume the duties of 2018 Maine Sea Goddess, and it is our hope that everyone will support her in her new role. We wish all the best to Taylor Hamlin in her future endeavors. This is a terrible situation for everyone involved. We hope that everyone will enjoy the rest of the festival that over 1,300 volunteers have worked so hard to put on to support our local community and the lobster industry.

71st Maine Lobster Festival Third Day (Friday, August 3rd) Events

Rockland, Maine - 71st annual Maine Lobster Festival second day events held on Friday, August 3rd, 2018 at harbor park in Rockland, Maine

Friday

7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST - MAIN EATING TENT

Food

All-the-pancakes-you-can-eat breakfast in the Food Tent featuring blueberry pancakes, juice, coffee and milk. Cost: $6 for adults, $3 for children; offered through Sunday.

9:00 a.m.

AMATEUR SEAFOOD COOKING CONTEST

Food

North Entertainment Tent

Amateur chefs will compete in this fan favorite annual Maine Lobster Festival Seafood Cooking Contest.

9:00 a.m.

GATES OPEN

Grounds are open at 7AM for the Pancake Breakfast, gates open for tickets at 9AM.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

USCG TOURS

Other

Aug 3 - 10am, 1pm, 3pm

The Coast Guard Base is located at 54 Tillson Ave. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, please. NO pets or backpacks/luggage and no open-toed shoes are allowed.

11:00 a.m.

LOBSTER SERVING BEGINS

Food

Visit our Food Tent for our famous steamed lobster dinners, shore dinners, lobster bisque, lobster mac-n-cheese and fried seafood offerings and our Lobster Café for lobster rolls, lobster wraps, and lobster caesar salad. 

All Food Vendors open at 11 am

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

JUD CASWELL

Entertainment

Maine Stage

A bit like a one-man folk festival mixing banjo picking, Irish drinking songs and award winning original sounds.

12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

SMOKEY’S GREATER SHOWS BRACELET DAY!

Entertainment

1:00 p.m.

COOKING DEMONSTRATION WITH CHRIS OLIVER

Food

North Entertainment Tent

This 3-time Chili & Chowder Contest champ shows how to make his award-winning Seafood Chowder.

1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

HARBOR CATS

Entertainment

Maine Stage

Presenting MCMA’s new house band here to rock the stage.

3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

HURRICANE MOUNTAIN

Entertainment

Maine Stage

Mixes traditional country roots along with swing and boogie-woogie making them one of Maine’s premier country bands!

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

ERICA BROWN AND THE BLUEGRASS CONNECTION

Entertainment

Maine Stage

The name says it all for this award-winning fiddler and her band.

6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

SMOKEY’S GREATER SHOWS BRACELET DAY!

Entertainment

7:45 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

HELLO NEWMAN

Entertainment

Maine Stage

They give their audience a great show with great tunes and a great time – and that means lots of dancing!

71st Maine Lobster Festival Second Day (Thursday, August 2nd) Events

Rockland, Maine - 71st annual Maine Lobster Festival second day events held on Thursday, August 2st, 2018 at harbor park in Rockland, Maine

Thursday

7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. 

PANCAKE BREAKFAST - MAIN EATING TENT

Food

All-the-pancakes-you-can-eat breakfast in the Food Tent featuring blueberry pancakes, juice, coffee and milk. Cost: $6 for adults, $3 for children; offered through Sunday.

9:00 a.m. 

GATES OPEN

Other

Steins & Vines tickets available for purchase at Main and Park Street gates (21 years or older - ID required)

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

USCG TOURS

Other

Aug 2 - 10am, 1pm, 3pm

The Coast Guard Base is located at 54 Tillson Ave. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, please. NO pets or backpacks/luggage and no open-toed shoes are allowed.

11:00 a.m. 

COOKING DEMONSTRATION WITH CHEF STEFANO CORVUCCI

Food

North Entertainment Tent

Owner of the Culinary Institute of Bologna Italy prepares locally sourced, Italian influenced lobster and seafood pasta dishes using FIORE Italian olive oils and vinegar.  True passion and infectious commitment to putting the food first – taste, texture, aroma, and seasonality pervades his-state-of the art approach to cooking.

11:00 a.m. 

LOBSTER SERVING BEGINS

Food

Visit our Food Tent for our famous steamed lobster dinners, shore dinners, lobster bisque, lobster mac-n-cheese and fried seafood offerings and our Lobster Café for lobster rolls, lobster wraps, and lobster caesar salad.

All Food Vendors open at 11 am

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 

PRESTON & CURRY COUNTRY

Entertainment

Maine Stage

This duo brings their classic country sound to the Maine Lobster Festival.

12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

SMOKEY’S GREATER SHOWS BRACELET DAY!

Entertainment

1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

ALTER IGOR

Entertainment

Maine Stage

Come check out their mix of rock, power pop, and British invasion tunes.

2:00 p.m. 

COOKING DEMONSTRATION WITH CHRIS OLIVER

Food

North Entertainment Tent

Festival Cooking Contest Judge demonstrates how you can make Lobster Scampi.

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

STESHA CANO

Entertainment

Eating Tent

Whether she’s singing jazz standards, R&B or modern pop, she’s easy to listen to and hard to define.

4:00 p.m. 

WORLD’S FASTEST KNITTER

Entertainment

North Entertainment Tent

Hosted by MIM BIRD, prizes and bragging rights await with this fun event!

4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 

NEW SHADES OF BLUE

Entertainment

Maine Stage

Playing cool jazz for this hot event.

4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 

STEINS & VINES TASTING EVENT

Entertainment

Celebrate our 5th Annual event showcasing Maine brewers and vintners. Additional charge for admittance to this event includes gate, age 21 or older, photo ID is required.

6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

SMOKEY’S GREATER SHOWS BRACELET DAY!

Entertainment

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 

MALLETT BROTHERS BAND

Entertainment

Maine Stage

Nationally known with a style that can range from alt-country to Americana, country, jam and roots rock, theirs is a musical melting pot.

VIDEO SPECIAL: King Neptune Opens The 71 Maine Lobster Festival

Rockland Maine-mKing Neptune opens the 71st Maine Lobster Festival.  For more info and schedule go to http://www.mainelobsterfestival.com/.

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71st Maine Lobster Festival Opening Day (Wednesday, August 1st) Events

Rockland, Maine - 71st annual Maine Lobster Festival opening day events held on Wednesday, August 1st, 2018 at harbor park in Rockland, Maine.

Wednesday

12:00 p.m.
71ST ANNUAL MAINE LOBSTER FESTIVAL OPENS

Festival officially opens at noon, along with exhibition tents, booths, vendors, carnival rides, and games. This is our $1 day!

King Neptune and his court, along with Haylie Dawn Witham, the 2017 Maine Sea Goddess, arrive on the main dock from the briny deep courtesy of the USCG to raise the flag and officially open the 2018 Maine Lobster Festival. Flag raising ceremony will take place next to the flagpole by the Harbor Master’s building.

Lobster Serving Begins at the Food Tent (Noon-8 p.m.)

Visit our Food Tent for our famous steamed lobster dinners, shore dinners, lobster bisque, lobster mac-n-cheese and fried seafood offerings and our Lobster Café for lobster rolls, lobster wraps, and lobster caesar salad.

Smokey’s Greater Shows - Old Fashioned Dollar Day - $1 tickets all day!

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
CORONATION REHEARSAL

Entertainment

Main Stage

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
MIKE PRESTON

Food Eating Tent

A country artist with a voice that will melt away your worries.

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
POSTER SIGNING - ARTIST MEGAN ROGERS

Entertainment

North Entertainment Tent

Meet our 2017 & 2018 poster artist Megan Rogers and learn more about how she creates her work.

Posters will be available for purchase and signing!

2:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
PADDY MILLS

Food Eating Tent

An award-winning folk singer/songwriter whose songs are as salty as the Maine coast he calls home.

4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
TOM ULICHNY

Food Eating Tent

A talented performer and Executive Director of Midcoast Music Academy. Tom’s music is equal parts warm soul and audio science.

8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
THE 71ST MAINE SEA GODDESS CORONATION

Entertainment

Main Stage

Come see the coronation of the 71st Maine Lobster Festival Sea Goddess! Festivities begin at 8 p.m. with music and the introduction of the Sea Princesses.

The winner receives a cash prize and the title of The Maine Lobster Festival Sea Goddess with a lovely crown. She reigns at many events throughout the year, culminating with the start of the 2019 Lobster Festival. Also crowned is the Crown Princess and Miss Congeniality.

VIDEO: 2018 Sea Princesses Practice, Practice, Practice

Rockland, Maine- Time to practice, with the judges banquet only 4 days away and the coronation of the 2018 Maine Sea Goddess just over a week away, the girls need all the practice they can get.  Marching and preparing for the coronation as well as going over the questions all the girls will have to answer on Friday at the judges banquet.  So much to do.

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Gallery: 71tst Maine Lobster Festival Sea Princesses

Rockport, Maine- Here are the formal portraits of this years Maine Sea Goddess Sea Princesses.  On Wednesday one of these girls will be crowned the 2018 Maine Sea Goddess.

Join us Wednesday on the main stage at the 71st Maine Lobster Festival for the crowning of the 2018 Maine Sea Goddess.

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VIDEO and GALLERY: 2018 Sea Princesses Tour Maine Lighthouse Museum

Rockland, Maine- One last tour for this years Sea Princesses.  The Maine Lighthouse Museum is home to the largest collection of lighthouse, life­saving, and U.S. Coast Guard artifacts in the nation. 

Gallery

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