Maritime Traditions and Crafts graph (ALL NEW)

Many maritime displays – pictures, paraphernalia, crafts, old boats – are reminders of the sturdy work and life in Midcoast Maine communities. Sponsored by The Camden Herald, stroll the public landing and visit booths that are integrated with stalls of modern day crafts, which will provide you with fascinating portrayals of what coastal life was like during the age of sail. Then, meander down the alley to the banquet hall below 16 Bay View hotel, which is sponsoring and hosting historic displays by Penobscot Marine Museum, Maine Lighthouse Museum, Walsh History Center and the Camden-Rockport Historical Society.(All three days)

Arrival of the Windjammers and Formal Welcome

To many, this throwback to the era of sail is the highpoint of the weekend. Each of the schooners is a museum in its own right, and some listed in the National Historic Register. Each crew is practiced in skills that have all but disappeared in our age of motor and speed. Capt. Jim Sharp, who provides the live narration and will formally welcome the windjammers, is a dean among the captains and has personally saved and rehabilitated many sailing vessels. (Friday noon-5:00pm)

Windjammer Dinner Auction

Lucky winners of this silent auction will get a taste of life on a schooner and enjoy part of Friday evening at a dinner with the crew and passengers, prepared by the shipÕs cook on board a windjammer at the dock at 5 p.m. Choose your vessel and the menu, and bid while the vessels tie up at the town docks. (Friday noon-4:00pm)

Maritime Traditions and Crafts

Many maritime displays – pictures, paraphernalia, crafts, old boats – are reminders of the sturdy work and life in Midcoast Maine communities. Booths that are integrated with stalls of modern day crafts will provide you with fascinating portrayals of what coastal life was like during the age of sail. Penobscot Marine Museum, Maine Lighthouse Museum and Walsh History Center will all host displays in the lower banquet room of 16 Bay View. (all three days)

Bay Winds North Wind Music Ensemble

This melodic ensemble music is a perfect complement to peaceful Camden Harbor, while it is packed with stylish schooners, reminiscent of the harbor in the early 1900s. The musicians are regional and play a variety of musical styles. (Friday 6:00pm)

Schooner Talent Show & Lifetime Appreciation Award

Not only skilled sailors, the windjammer crews, and passengers, are entertainers. Have fun with them and their passengers as they display their acting, dancing, singing and comedic talents. Performance and maritime artist Buckley Smith will create a 4-foot x 8-foot drawing live during the show, which will then be auctioned at the end. During the show, the captains of the Maine Windjammer Association will present the Windjammer Lifetime Appreciation Award to a special person who has gone the extra mile to help Maine’s windjammer fleet. The Schooner Talent Show is sponsored by Camden Real Estate. (Friday 7:00-9:00pm)

Fireworks over the Harbor

A spectacular fireworks show, which can be seen from the grounds of the Camden Library, Harbor Park, commercial decks facing the shoreline, the bleachers at the Public Landing and other bayside locations, culminates Friday's event. See the bright patterns sparkling across the bay, a splendor of multi-colored lights that dance on moored boats and play with ripples on the water. (Friday 9:00pm)

Camden Rotary Pancake Breakfast

Get up early Saturday morning and head to the big Rotary tent on the Public Landing, where a pancake breakfast will be underway. You’ll be able to meet new people or hang out with old friends over a cup of coffee and delicious pancakes, either with or without Maine wild blueberries. It all makes for a great annual tradition at this perennial fundraiser. (Saturday 7:30-10:00am)

Build-a-Boat Construction and Race

Eight lucky teams will get the opportunity this year to build boats from “kits,” with all the building materials supplied. In addition to the pre-cut kit and building materials, each registered team (family members or 2-3 friends) will get expert on-site supervision Saturday at the public landing. Participants should bring their own hand tools, either electric or battery powered. Contestants will then take to the harbor and vie to win the Build-a-Boat race on Sunday. There will be expert rescue crews on-site during the race. Pre-registration is encouraged, and forms can be downloaded at the Forms and Rules Page. Deadline to register is 9:30 a.m. Saturday, with space limited. (Saturday build, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday race, 11 a.m.)

Lobster Crate Race

Lobster crate racing is perhaps the favorite participation event of the weekend. The race starts at 10 a.m. this year due to the earlier high tide (9 a.m.) and registration is limited to 40 racers in each of two age groups, and required at the entrance shed before the race starts. The winner is the one who crosses the most crates in two minutes. Volunteers are there to help those who slip and fall in the brine. The race is sponsored by Camden National Bank. Registration is first come, first served, at the entrance/welcome table starting at 9 a.m. (Saturday, 10 a.m.)

Pirates of the Dark Rose

Visit the pirate encampment at Harbor Park, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There is a puppet show at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and children’s “blade” (foam) practice afterward. Watch out because the pirates will try to recruit you into the Hellion Brigade. Canon Lessons at 1:30 p.m., duels at 2:15 p.m. and a weapons demonstration at 3 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday there are displays and games at the encampment. Learn about tooth worms, small arms, how not to walk the plank. Get a balloon cutlass made for you. The big fight is at 1 p.m., with the Hellion Brigade taking on a band of pirates from the Dark Rose. There is a Pirate Finale at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. The pirates are sponsored by Camden Riverhouse Hotel and Inns. (Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

Storytelling and Activities for Children

Join Miss Katie for story time at the Camden Public Library. She will read marine related stories and lead craft activities for pre-school and elementary children. (Saturday, 10 a.m.)

Windjammer Mate’s Certification

Want to be a mate on one of the schooners? If you are between 8 and 13 years old, you are encouraged to pick up some basic navigational and seamanship skills. Learn parts of the sailboat, how to read a chart, and how to set a course. You’ll be given a good compass, after you practice using it, by the program sponsors, Country Inn and Cedar Crest Inn. Help hoist the sail and finish by cooking a flapjack under the supervision of former windjammer cook extraordinaire, Bridget Qualey. Register early by contacting Roger Akeley at rakeley@gmail.com and then you will need to fill out a short application at the entrance shed. (Saturday, 2 p.m.)

West Bay Rotary Chowder Challenge

Back at the Rotary tent again, this time for lunch. Now it’s time to try chowders of all varieties – lobster, clam, fish or all three – prepared by local restaurants. The selections are all delicious, but which one tastes the best? Let’s see if you all agree. (Saturday, noon – 2 p.m.)

First Fish Relay Race

This is another popular competition – with a twist. Imagine digging through a bucket of seaweed for a slippery fish, and then working with teammate to toss the fish into a makeshift ship’s hold. If you can do it within five tries, bring the fish back to the barrel, grab a flag and run to the marked spot, raising the flag to signal you are done. This relay race is fun to watch as participants in three age groups, ranging from 4 to 14, race against the clock with their slippery catch. The race is limited to four teams in each of the three divisions. Protective rain gear is provided. This contest is sponsored by the First National Bank. Sign up at the entrance/welcome table. (Saturday, 2 p.m.)

Kayak Trips to Curtis Island

Maine Sport is sponsoring dozens of guided kayak rides Saturday and Sunday out to Curtis Island and back. Look for more information about the trips when you arrive Friday afternoon. (Saturday and Sunday 11:30am and 1:30pm)

Schooner Open House

Take the opportunity on Saturday or Sunday afternoon to board the grand schooners and see them up close. Check out the leather fittings, hefty sailcloth, coiled line, scarred anchors, sleeping quarters for the crew and the passengers, the mess areas, polished brass — all on view for visitors. You’ll also have the opportunity to talk with the captains and crew. Maybe plan to join them on a future cruise. (Saturday and Sunday, 2 – 4 p.m.)

Captains Courageous Movie – with Introduction by Capt. Jim Sharp

Grab a seat at Camden Public Library for a showing of the classic film, Captains Courageous (1977). Starring Karl Malden, Jonathan Kahn and Johnny Doran, the film tells the tale of a “spoiled little rich” boy who falls overboard from a steamship and gets picked up by a “crusty old” sea captain. On board, he is made to earn his keep by joining the crew in their work. Portions of the movie were filmed in Camden, and many locals played bit parts, including Capt. Jim Sharp. (Saturday, 3 p.m.)

Concert at the Opera House: Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary

Four generations have grown up loving and listening to Peter, Paul and Mar. Few, if any, other fold singer/activists have sold a million copies of a CD, but Peter has, for Puff the Magic Dragon. Peter’s caring presence of commitment to ethic and purpose brings together audience in inspiration and joy. Tickets are available through the Camden Opera House. (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.)

Dance Party on the Public Landing with Primo Cubano

In the mid-nineteenth century, windjammers were used to move goods such as sugar and wheat from Latin American countries. And quite naturally, Latin and Caribbean music pair well with sailors and the high seas. Who wouldn't love to dance away the sea legs after a long stretch on the water? As a special treat, Maine-based Primo Cubano will bring their brand of traditional Cuban dance music to the Public Landing Saturday night to get you dancing after you've enjoyed dinner downtown. The dance is free, and open to everyone, whether you know how to salsa, mambo or cha cha cha — or not. (Saturday, 7 - 10 p.m.)

Treasure Hunt

The Treasure Hunt is again sponsored by Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, and everyone starts at 10 a.m., but teams should arrive by 9:45 a.m. to get your instructions. There are surprises along the way, and when you finish, you will know more about Camden’s maritime and windjamming history. Winners of the hunt will also be richly rewarded. (Sunday, 10 a.m. – Noon)

Nautical Dog Show

The dog show is back by popular demand. Run your dog through a nautical theme agility course; then watch as seasoned handlers run their dogs through the same course. Local and visiting dogs, some purebreds, others mixed breeds, will be judged in a variety of categories including best nautical costume and best trick. Prizes will be awarded to the winners. To participate, register online at pawsadoption.org or prior to the event at the P.A.W.S. table in Camden Harbor Park. The event is sponsored by P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center. (Sunday, noon)

Radio Controlled Boat Race

If you have a radio controlled boat, bring it along down to the harbor where you can test your boat and your skills at running it. It is lots of fun to watch as well. (Sunday, 10 a.m.)

Lobster Hauling Demonstration

From the harbor-side edge of the Public Landing, let a lobsterman teach you the secrets of lobster fishing. (Sunday, 11 a.m.)

Boat Parade Finale

Watch or join in a boat parade to wrap up the festival. Entry forms available on the Event Forms page and at the harbormaster’s office. (Sunday. 4 p.m.)