The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce is kicking off a video series focused on Windjammer Days, with the help of the Boothbay Region Community Television (BRCTV) station.

The five-part series is hosted by Andrew Luke, this year's Chair of Windjammer Days Festival. Luke interviews several people from the community, and the segments focus on how this big event comes together, the Chamber's role, the history of the event, the sponsors and volunteers of Windjammer Days and the economic impact the event has on the region.

Last year's 50th anniversary event generated more than $530,000 in revenue for area businesses; this amount was calculated using estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Tourism that overnight visitors generate $381 of spending and day visitors $47 per day. A Maine Department of Transportation study tracked an additional 3,286 vehicles on Routes 27 and 96 during the festival time frame last year, and regional planners estimated 7,000 people attended including visitors, locals, and boaters.

This famed historical event commemorates the historic Windjammer tall ships, which carried large amounts of cargo from one continent to another, making Boothbay Harbor a center of American shipping and shipbuilding.

“We are excited to bring the story of this very important community event to television,” said Catherine Wygant Fossett, Executive Director of the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce. “With, of course, the help of our wonderful partners at the Boothbay Region Community Television station, who have generously donated their time to put these video segments together.”

“This event only comes together by the generous donation of sponsors and volunteers that make it all happen,” said Andrew Luke, chairman of Windjammer Days Festival. “We welcome contributions of time and money to help make it the best it can be and supporters can sign up on line, call the chamber or visit them at their office.”

The segments will start airing on Boothbay Region Community TV channel 7 on Thursday, June 6 in the morning. All segments will also be online at www.brctv.org and at www.boothbayharbor.com.

The 2013 Windjammer Days is scheduled to take place June 25 and 26, with the schooners appearing in Linekin Bay on Tuesday, June 25 and in the harbor on Wednesday, June 26.

The annual Windjammer Days Festival will feature its classic line-up of events with the parade of sail with 11 tall ships, Pirates of the Dark Rose, the hometown street parade, an antique boat parade of more than 30 boats, second annual Artists Alley, 10 waterfront concerts, tours of the U.S. Coast Guard station and Maine State Aquarium, Kid’s tent, 2-day craft show, boat excursions, and a spectacular firework display over the harbor.

Visitors can enjoy a complimentary 2-day shuttle during the festival. Pre-events include on Sunday, June 23, a One Design Boat Race, and Windjammer Days Golf Tournament fundraiser for Community Fireworks.

To learn more about Windjammer Days and to track updates, visit www.boothbayharbor.com or find the Chamber on Facebook.