Gov. Paul LePage has signed a proclamation declaring June 24-27 to be the 50th annual Windjammer Days Festival in Boothbay Harbor in honor of this historic festival and the ship building industry.

The governor's proclamation reads:

WHEREAS, the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, through the hard work and dedication of its staff and community leaders, has celebrated the Maine heritage of sailing ships, built here on the coast of Maine then sailing the World to transport people and goods to places far away; and WHEREAS, Windjammers were the grandest merchant ships of an earlier day, and, though built for commerce and trade, were truly beautiful to behold; and WHEREAS, for every June or July for the last 50 years, Windjammer Days in Boothbay Harbor has brought native Mainers and tourists alike to marvel at these beautiful ships and to learn about our centuries old maritime culture, which continues on this day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAUL R. LEPAGE, governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the week of June 24-17: THE 50th ANNUAL WINDJAMMER DAYS FESTIVAL WEEK throughout the State of Maine, and urge all citizens to recognize this observance.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this First day of June Two-Thousand Twelve

Paul R. LePage
Governor

This is a family fun event with something for everyone to enjoy. Twelve beautifully rigged Windjammer ships and a pirate ship are scheduled to descend on Boothbay Harbor.

There will be a kick-off event called Jammers & Joggers, which is a land and sea torch run down the coast of Maine to celebrate the ships coming into Boothbay Harbor. Also on tap, sail boat races, a golf tournament, a street parade, an antique boat parade, a craft show, an artist alley, lectures, waterfront concerts, historical events of how life was when these ships were sailing the seas and plenty of food.

These will be memorable days to share with family and friends alike.

Windjammer Days is June 24-27 with the schooners in Linekin Bay on the Tuesday, June 26, and in the harbor on Wednesday, June 27. For more information and updates, go to www.boothbayharbor.com or find the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.

Windjammer Days 2012 sponsors include Pinnacle Vodka - White Rock Distilleries Inc., 94.9 WHOM, WMTW News Channel 8, Rideout Marine, Downeast Energy, Pepsi Beverage Company, First Federal Savings, KeyBank, N.A., Spruce Point Inn, O'Donnell, Lee, McCowan & Phillips, LLC, Wyman & Simpson, Federal Distributors - Bud Light, Shipyard Brewing Company, Balmy Days Cruises, Bath Savings Institution, The First, N.A., Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, Fisherman's Wharf Inn, Marshall Tent & Event Rental, Boothbay Region Land Trust, Flagship Inn, Cabbage Island Clambakes, Balmy Days Cruises, The World is Mine Oyster, Lincoln Medical Partners, Lincoln County Healthcare, Schooner Eastwind, McSeagulls Restaurant, Sherman's Books and Stationary, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, House of Pizza, Lafayette Hotels - Boothbay Harbor Hotels, J. Edward Knight Insurance, Hannaford, Carousel Marina, Brown's Wharf Inn, Lincoln Arts Festival Chorus, Harbor Children's Center, Edgecomb Boat Works, Inc., Southport Island Marine, LLC, Boothbay Region Boatyard, Ocean Point Marina, Paul E. Luke Boatyard, Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, Atomic Studios, Good n' You Fuel & Service, Pat Farrin & Sons, Wiscasset Ford, Maine State Aquarium, Blake Builders, Town of Boothbay, Pottle Realty Group, Margaret Jones Perritt, Tile Connection & Cottage Connection of Maine Inc., Seaside Cupcakes, Topside Inn, Lyn & George Doran, Hodgdon Island Inn, Mary and John Yokabaskas, The Boothbay Register, Experience Maritime Maine, Boothbay Harbor Embroidery, Boothbay Country Club, Boothbay Region Y-Arts Chorus, Boothbay Playhouse, Boothbay Fire Department, George McEvoy, US Coast Guard, Boothbay Region Historical Society, Steve & Ann Demeranville, Dale & Richard McCoy, Brooke Hubner, Coastal Shipping, Melissa Nein & Sue Burge, Charles & Diane Kipp, Sam's Electric, Blake's Boatyard Marina, Martin Page, Tidal Transit Kayak, Town of Boothbay, Town of Boothbay Harbor and Town of Southport.