62nd Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days
What’s in store for WJD 2024 so far
Sat, 03/16/2024 - 1:15pm
Sycamore, captained and built by Fred Bowers of Alna returns for the 62nd BBH Windjammer Days. Friends of WJD photo
Stephanie Crossman of Vinalhaven last year working on the beginnings of a new 3D net sculpture. File photo
The 62nd Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days will be held June 23-29. The experienced members of Friends of WJD are well on their way to finalizing all the details involved.
At the March 13 meeting of Friends of WJD, Director Pete Ripley confirmed the following windjammers will be setting sail for Boothbay Harbor, weather permitting: A Morning in Maine, Alert, American Eagle, Bowdoin, Eagle, Gleam, Pilot Cutter Hesper, Isabella, Malabar X, Thomas E. Lannon, True North, Tyrone and Sycamore; and Boothbay Harbor homeport schooners Applejack, Eastwind and Isaac H. Evans.
Ships’ sponsors for 2024 are Knickerbocker Group, The Giles Family, Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Resort, FORJ, DownEast Magazine, Tindal & Callahan Real Estate, The Eldridge Family, Summit Spring, Bristol Marine/The Shipyard at Boothbay Harbor, Windjammer Emporium, First National Bank, J. Edward Knight, Pepsico, The Doering Family, Valley Beverage, Boston Beer co., Pine State Trading Co., Shoreline Capital, Lafayette Hotels, Rugged Seas, Vacasa, Jeff Suyematsu and Laney Hebert.
A new tradition starts this year: Friends Director Mark Gimbel announced banners will be made for each attending vessel and will be displayed in the roundabout area in Boothbay.
The public is encouraged to attend the Monday, June 24 Meet & Greet planned for this year’s spotlight group – Boat Builders of Boothbay, at Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort, 35 Atlantic Ave. from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The builders being recognized in 2024 are Bruce Washburn, Frank Luke, Tim Hodgdon, David Nutt, Tony Finocchiaro, Andy Tyska, Doug Goldhirsch, Ross Branch, Tom Farrell, Matt Sledge, Keith Royall, Rob Ham, Sherm Brewer, Jimmy Jones, Chip Haggett, Mike Bartles, David Thorpe, and Katie Doughty. Most of these, if not all, will attend.
Updates on one of the tasty events of the Festival, the Crab Cake Cook Off being held Monday, June 24 from 1 to 3 p.m.: Tickets, $53, are now available. Keep in mind there are only 50 of them and, as of the meeting, there were 46 left. Each ticket comes with one complementary beverage from the cash bar. These go super fast so visit the official Festival website: www.boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org to buy your ticket. Event sub-committee member Michele Barter announced Boothbay Indian-cuisine maven Cherie Scott has been confirmed as one of the three judges. Barter also confirmed Newagen Seaside Inn, Brady’s Restaurant, and Harborside 1901 Bar & Grill will be competing for the Best Crab Cake title with a fourth competitor being sought. Two awards, the Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice, also come with bragging rights.
Another ticketed event, the Pier Party at Bristol Marine Shipyard, is Friday, June 28 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. after the free Vintage Boat Parade which begins at 4 p.m. After the antique boats round the inner harbor, many will be docked at the shipyard. This year, 20 vintage cars (as of the meeting, there were six already signed up) will share the limelight at Bristol Marine. Entry forms for both boats and cars are on the official website as are the tickets for the Pier Party at $69 and available on the official website. Tickets also come with one free beverage at the otherwise cash bar. Also included are appetizers by Ralph Smith and the music by the Dave Gagne Band.
Artists Alley, slated for Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., promises to be as interesting and varied as ever. Here’s who will be there –so far – for the artisans and craftspeople: Calli B - jewelry, Chris Cambridge - scrimshaw, Stephanie Crossman - fish netting sculpture, Eric Darling - oil and up cycled rope art, Dianne Horton - watercolors (Thursday only), Laura Kowacki - jewelry, Susan Lipman - glass chimes, and jewelry, Natalie Reed - fine jewelry, Ann Schaefer - basketry, Nancy Shaul - pottery, Herenya Wilkey - stained glass. Artists to date: Olena Babak (Friday only), Don Demers, Jackie Jones, Todd Montanaro, Rick Reinert, John Seitzer, Leonard Mizerek, Charlotte Thibault, Laureen Hylka and Anthony Watkins.
The festival concludes Saturday, June 29 with the Tug of War Across the Harbor and Orne’s Candy Store’s 18th annual International Rock Skipping Contest, held in memory of Arthur Webster. The times for these events are still to be determined. The time has been set, however, for the Skip, Tug and Be Merry Boat Bar Party at the Chowder House, in the Footbridge parking lot, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More updates next month when the Friends of Windjammer Days directors and sub-committee chairs meet on Wednesday, April 10.
