Valentine’s Day got a Boothbay Harbor twist this year with “For the Love of Beer, Wine and Boutiques.” Jennie Mitchell of Brady’s and Julie Roberts of Coastal Maine Popcorn put the event together in weeks and managed to rustle up over 40 businesses between retailers, restaurants and lodgers to host a scavenger hunt, pub crawl and provide rooms for those coming from out of town.

“We had people from as far away as New York that I know of. For a first year it was a great success,” said Mitchell. “One couple from Massachusetts said they just looked up what there was to do in Maine for Valentine’s Day and they found ‛For the Love of Beer, Wine and Boutiques.’”

The weekend began with Boothbay Region Art Foundation’s “What’s Nude in Boothbay Harbor?” show. BRAF trustees said the gallery was crowded all weekend – more than ever before for that event.

Mitchell had advertised on WMME 92.3 The Moose and she sat in with DJ Matt James to promote the event. James broadcast live from Brady’s the afternoon of Feb. 15.

Brady’s provided a packet with hints and a map for the scavenger hunt. Businesses participating in the hunt were Boothbay Greenhouses, Coastal Maine Popcorn, Grover’s Hardware, Janson’s Clothing Store, House of Logan, Maine Ivy, Harbor Embroidery, Sherman’s, The Cannery, A Silver Lining, Palabra, Two Salty Dogs, Enchantments, Mung Bean and Crow Point Yoga.

Footbridge Brewery held a tasting event Feb. 15 featuring its own craft beer and beer from Black Pub Brewing, Bath Brewing and North Haven Brewing. Over 60 tickets were sold. Eventide Specialties and Pinkham’s Gourmet Market had wine tastings, and a “Meet the Brewers” event featured Boothbay Craft Brewery at Brady’s, Funky Bow at Boat House Bistro and Hidden Cove at Ports Pizzeria. Brady’s capped the evening with the “Midcoast Lip Sync Battle.”

All participating businesses include Crow Point Yoga, Coastal Maine Popcorn, The Flagship Inn, Pier 1 Pizza, Grover’s Hardware, Maine & Ivy, Mung Bean, Ports Pizzeria, The Thistle Inn, Farm 23, BBH Apparel, Janson’s Clothing Store, Nathan’s Apothecary, The Russell House, Boothbay Greenhouses, The Cannery, Palabra, Watershed Tavern, Boothbay Craft Brewery, Mama D’s, Boat House Bistro, Sherman’s, Two Salty Dogs, Enchantments, House of Logan, Brady’s, A Silver Lining, China By the Sea, Footbridge Brewery and St. Andrew’s Thrift.

Said Mitchell, “I think it was a great turnout for planning only four weeks in advance. Everyone had fun, brewers did very well. We were packed, the Bistro was packed.”