Thank you, Mark and Dianne Gimbel, Peter Ripley, their Friends of the Windjammer committee members, Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, and everyone else involved with the 2021 Windjammer Days festival.

It was quite a week of fun and festivities – Tall Ships and tours, the Parade of Sail, fireworks, Wreaths Across America, the Porch Parade, pirates, the fun Cod Fish Race and Lobster Eating Contest, Blessing of the Fleet, activities for kids, Olde Village Days at Boothbay Railway Village and more.

After last year's festival was canceled because of the pandemic, it remained to be seen how this year's event – the 59th – would pan out. Would the ships participate? Would the crowds be able to come? Would the Friends have to pare down the schedule to bare bones?

Well, the ships arrived, the crowds came (in droves) and except for a rained out Rock Skipping Contest and a canceled Lighted Boat Parade, Boothbay Harbor's longstanding festival celebrating its boating heritage was very successful.

I heard on the street that businesses were swamped with customers and that it was one of the best weeks, sales wise, for some of them. It was great to see the crowds – although we had to get used to the heavy traffic once again after a somewhat slow summer of 2020.

Pulling off a successful festival takes a lot of work by many people and we are glad that Friends of Windjammer Days persevered after having to cancel last year. We are also sure that the Friends would enjoy getting more young people involved as we sail toward Windjammer Days 60 ... and beyond! Contact Mark, Dianne, Peter or other members of the committee who you saw running events this past week if you would like to be involved.