I know it is ancient history but so much community fun! Events with a focus on what makes the region a community. No great fanfare, no fireworks, nothing but a real treat to celebrate special local people and organizations. I miss it. But, generally speaking, things don’t happen just because I like them. However, looking back through old photos tells me it was a grand celebration for the history of our area. If today’s photo prints well, you will recognize many familiar things. The boats, the people, the buildings, many of which and whom are long gone, remind me of the basic stuff that galvanized our community and its wonderful people. I know I recognize many old friends and buildings, but I’m sure there are those among us who know way more than I do.

The Fishermen’s Festival started in 1974 and I think began to show signs of stopping in 2015 with a final try in 2016. The reasons for ending the festival are varied and may have been complicated by the substantial complexity of organizing a variety of events along with some concern regarding changes in the local fishing industry. I’m not entirely sure, but I do know that pulling everything together was no small task.

Still, it was really fun to watch all the amazing events. I loved the crate running and fish carrying races, not to mention net mending, lobster picking/eating, clam shucking (often won by a woman from Waldoboro I think), and the monumentally popular (pictured)  trap hauling contest. What an action-packed hometown batch of entertainment. I lost money off the tug of war! And all for the good cause of helping to support the Fishermen’s Memorial Fund.

I still have funny memories of photographing the bubble gum contest. At this event, held at the elementary school I believe, local young folk would chew up a chunk of bubblegum with the hopes of making the biggest bubble. I remember one lad with a bubble that obscured his entire head until it burst, covering his face completely, just before the judge could get a good measure of his efforts. Poor soul had an awful time clearing off his face.

The really nice thing also about the festival was seeing so many local friends all at once. It is odd, to live in a relatively small population of seldom seen individuals. Part of the magic of the festival to me, was bumping into so many people I didn’t regularly see. That was half the fun. People made time to come out to watch the festivities in a way that was unique and special. Honoring a historic moment in time to celebrate and pay homage to a culturally significant fishing heritage was a unifying and personal experience. It was nice to be part of something that brought a bright light to our community reflecting a great heritage for those who worked with the ocean.

The Fishermen’s Festival is probably not ever going to happen again the way it did back then, but it might be nice to consider some sort of revised edition of the festival with updates. I might try to compete with the "bubble gummers," but no crate running or fish carrying for me, please!