2026 Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days

As a lead up to the 250th anniversary of the U.S., and in a spirited celebration to welcoming the Windjammer fleet to town, the Boothbay Harbor Opera House is pleased to announce that three music ensembles representing the United States Navy, will be performing free community concerts June 23 and 24.

On Tuesday, June 23, Navy Band Northeast returns to the historic Opera House with its 30-member wind and percussion Pops Ensemble, performing the show-stopping music of Broadway, as well…

June 21 – 27

*All events subject to change*

Events held in Boothbay Harbor unless otherwise noted.

SUNDAY, JUNE 21

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - R/C sailing competition at Spruce Point Inn - 88 Grandview Ave. The second annual Windjammer Days SPI Cup! A day of R/C sailboat racing hosted by Maine Model Yacht…

The Boothbay Region's festival founded in 1962 remains the most anticipated event of the year. The 64th annual Windjammer Days week-long festival happens from Sunday, June 21 through Saturday, June 27. 

Windjammers, schooners and yachts confirmed for the 64th festival are: Alert, Applejack, Columbia (new!), Eastwind, Gleam, Harvey Gamage, Heritage, Hesper, Isaac H. Evans, Isabella, Lewis R. French,…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles highlighting local Navy service members—sharing their stories, experiences, and the lasting impact of their service. These articles are…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles highlighting local Navy service members—sharing their stories, experiences, and the lasting impact of their service. These articles are…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles highlighting local Navy service members—sharing their stories, experiences, and the lasting impact of their…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles highlighting local Navy service members—sharing their stories, experiences, and the lasting impact of their…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles highlighting local Navy service members—sharing their stories, experiences, and the lasting impact of their service. These articles are…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles highlighting local Navy service members—sharing their stories, experiences, and the lasting impact of their service. These articles are…

As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles highlighting local Navy service members—sharing their stories, experiences, and the lasting impact of their service. These articles are a tribute to the men and…

On June 27, Friends of Windjammers Days hosted a pier party and a display of antique autos and motorcycles. 

One can only imagine the years of work behind keeping these vintage vessels afloat and shining.

The Vintage Boat Parade, led by the Nellie G II in honor of George McEvoy who died recently, led the parade Friday afternoon, June 27 around the inner harbor. The parade is one of the special events of Windjammer Days. 

Unicorns, ducks, giant gummie bears ... and even a couple of people in jail. These were just a few of the scenes from shore as the Decorated Boat Parade passed along the inner harbor on Sunday, June 29. 

Remade from the former Lighted Boat Parade for Windjammers, the parade was postponed from Saturday due to the weather. 

The newspaper would like to thank Mike Leonard for once again coming through for us with his fabulous photos. 

He hammers, forges and pounds metal into shapes of coins similar to those used by pirates and sailors maneuvering ships in the 16th and 17th centuries. Steve Lenhardt owns Black Spot Guild in Coldbrook, New Hampshire, but this week he demonstrated his metal works skills in Whale Park during Windjammer Days.

Lenhardt inquired to the Friends of Windjammer Days' organizing committee last winter about demonstrating his skills at the event. He believed his Spanish-…

The lobster eating contest is one of the most popular events of Windjammer Days, just as it was during the region's former Fishermen's Festival. The contest drew a huge crowd Wednesday, June 25 for the high noon competition. And, for the first time in many years, a woman took the prize.

2025 winner Abby Baker of Brunswick was ecstatic over the win. In a post-contest interview, Baker said what she didn't anticipate was the spray of tomale upon cracking the first lobster body. Other…

A salute to the Coast Guard was the main theme of the annual Windjammer Days Street Parade and several floats sported signs, T-shirts and more to thank the Guard on Wednesday afternoon, June 25.

The parade was filled with three Kora Karts units, the longtime participants The Sailing Masters of 1812 from Essex, Connecticut and the Boothbay Region Community Band, several non-profit groups and lots of kids — many who squirted the onlookers with water, cooling them off in the…

Chaos erupted on the pier June 25 as a band of pirates landed on our shore, intent on taking over the town! Thankfully, they were beaten back after a brief but fierce battle with some newly trained defenders. 

Balloon swords, treasure chest and other tattoos, map making, music and more made for lots of fun for kids and wannabe pirates as the Pirates of the Dark Rose set up a bazaar in Waterfront Park off Commercial Street during the 63rd annual Windjammer Days in Boothbay Harbor.

Also, cannon lessons from one of the pirates drew lots of young students who learned the pieces of equipment to clean, load and fire a cannon.

The pirates were anticipating and gearing up for “The Battle for…

Eleven contestants stepped up to the plate to see how many hot dogs, buns and all, they could eat in eight minutes during Dunton’s Doghouse’s second annual hot dog eating contest. 

Among the competitors was last year’s champ, Dylan Geyer, whose prior record of 10 frankfurters was the one to beat. There were several techniques on display, including the classic water-dip and, in one contestant’s case, eating the dogs…

The Friends of Windjammers Days hosted a dinner and cocktail party June 23 to honor retired and active U.S. Coast Guardsmen at Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Resort. The dinner attracted 16 honorees. According to Friends of Windjammers Days member Laney Hebert, 64 people attended the dinner. 

Among U.S. Coast Guardsmen who attended were Ryan Smith, DJ Holcomb, Doug Snyder, Brian Blethen, Nat Wilson, Rusty Court, Fred Bowers, Bob Cotier, John Foss, Sharon Machon Ames, Bruce MacCormac,…

Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library (BHML) welcomed a shipful of wee mateys June 24 to participate in its annual summer reading challenge, and have fun with its assortment of pirate-themed activities and lawn games. 

The theme this year was "Level Up!" Similar in style to a video game, kids get to choose between four different levels with unique tasks, picking their own adventure path each time there's a fork in the road.

"We're looking at leveling up our reading by doing…

For me, Windjammer Days brings back memories from some 50 odd years of witnessing this special event. There have been lots of changes, but fundamentally, it's a tribute to, by and for a coastal community connected to the seas for centuries and an historic tradition. 

Arrr Mateys! Feast yer eyes on the fine crew of the Spinks and Steffenson families, the first brave souls to set sail on the Boothbay Harbor Treasure Hunt! On Sunday, June 22, they took to the helm like true sea captains, marked their maps with stamps at each destination, and struck a pose behind the Pier 1 photo board, beaming with pride for all to see.

This summer-long quest is sponsored by the nonprofit organization Lighthouse Education & Nautical Studies (LENS) and…

One of the first events of Windjammer Days week was at Boothbay Harbor Inn June 23, the 7th annual Crab Cook-off. The 50-seat event was sold out as local chefs faced off in the kitchen, including last year’s champ Ralph Smith from Mine Oyster, Mike Whitney of Bluebird Ocean Point Inn and Ethan Crosby of Smuggler’s Cove.  

Judges included News Center Maine’s Sharon Rose, Bet Finocchiarro, owner of Bet's Fish Fry, and Kelly Farrin, owner of Carriage House Restaurant.  The…

Boothbay's Got Talent at the Boothbay YMCA kicked off the Windjammer Days Festivities, June 22 at 5 p.m. with six contestants: Oscar Mirabile (age 8, magic act), Lily Billings (age 8, singing and dancing), Agatha Harris (age 9, singing), Violet Baldwin (age 11, singing), Lydia Mitchell (age 11, hula hooping), and Kaylee Wayda (age 12, ventriloquism).

The four judges were Nick Ullo, Mary Ripley, Lisa Walby and Douglas Gimbel.

Oscar Mirabile took first place…

The blue skies with a slight breeze made for great conditions for the 2025 Windjammer Days Blessing of the Fleet and Memorial Service on Sunday afternoon, June 22.

It was the opening event of the week-long festival. About 25 boats participated in the blessing which was conducted by Father Peter Shaba of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Tammy Judkins of United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor, Rev. Todd Weir of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, and Rev. Glen…

Volunteers ... Could as much be accomplished within communities and organizations without them? Case in point: Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days, a beloved festival that truly takes a village.

As of 2025, the event has been led by Friends of Windjammer Days, an all-volunteer group that has grown the festival to a seven-day, jam-packed happening since 2014. The group formed the previous year following Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce's announcement it would be outsourcing the…

The breeze was as strong as the sun during 2024’s Windjammer Days’ Artists Alley down to Whale Park June 27 and 28. Coordinating this event the past two years, is Friends of Windjammer Days member Mary Wawro.

And what a great lineup of artisans she brought to the Park:  Calli B (jewelry), Chris Cambridge (scrimshaw), Stephanie Crossman (handmade fish netting sculpture and paintings), Eric Darling (oil and up-cycled rope paintings), Dianne Horton (watercolors), Laura Kowacki…

Do you believe in ghosts? Or like a side of the metaphysical with your history?

From 1920s booze runners and mysteriously drowned women, to ghosts who love country music and hate it when people change their wallpaper, American Ghost Walks takes visitors on a walking tour of downtown Boothbay Harbor to peer at the spirits hidden within the region’s history. 

Julee…

There was a new event at this year’s Windjammer Days, the server shuffle. Teams of two waitstaff raced down the Footbridge with glasses, champagne flutes and other containers of water on serving trays. Whoever brought back the most liquid in the least time won. With speed and balance, the Thistle Inn team, Amy Stockford and Bianca Bal, took first place beating others from Pier One Pizza, Waves, Carriage House, Whale’s Tale, and Boathouse Bistro. Organizers said they hope to see the…

An antique car show followed the antique boat parade June 28 as part of Day 6 of Winjammer Days at Bristol Marine Shipyard.

A team from Fuller Marine Services won the 2024 Tug Across The Harbor June 29. Fuller Marine Services workers also took the trophy at last year’s tug with help from other crew members working on the newly renovated Footbridge. 

This year, they beat four other teams including Carousel Marina, the Coast Guard, Hell Yeah, from Massachusetts, and the Town Crew, made up of Boothbay Harbor municipal staff. However, the competition was cut short because the Coast Guard team had to…

With a name like Cary Stone, what options do you have but to win a rock skipping contest? Managing 20 skips across the inner harbor, “Mr. Stone” won both the men’s division and most overall skips at the annual Orne's Candy Store International Rock-Skipping Contest June 29. 

In the women’s division, Donna Loonie and Anna Tew both skipped 12 times, leading to a skip-off to determine the winner. Loonie lived up to her skipping name “Rock Launcher” and won the final round with…

The Vintage Boat Parade was held on Day 6 of Windjammer Days in the inner harbor June 28. A large crowd assembled at Whale Park to watch the antique boats. 

Chaos erupted on the Boothbay Harbor waterfront June 26 as a small band of pirates invaded Whale Park. A group of young defenders rushed to action and defeated the marauders after a short, but intense, fight. 

The newspaper is lucky to have a friend in professional photographer Michael Leonard, who has contributed his work to us for many years ... Windjammer Days, Boothbay Lights, Fourth of July, Gardens Aglow, lightning, aurora, storms, and much more.

Here is a sampling of his work on Wednesday, the busiest day of Windjammer Days with the Gathering of the Fleet, the Street Parade and fireworks. We hope you enjoy his perspectives.

Check out more of his work or to order reprints,…

The Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club boys defended their title at the annual Windjammer Days Cod Fish Races June 26. Team Shmaker’s Bay beat 10 others to keep their title as the fastest fish handlers in town after winning the event last year.  

“I think it was another great year,” said race organizer Jack Herger. “We probably had more kids this year than we've had before, and we had two teams of four with every kid under 12 years old. So that's, I think, a first.” 

The…

The grand opening for the public of the Gulf of Maine Discovery Center, formerly the site of the Maine State Aquarium, was held Wednesday, June 26 during the 62nd Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days Festival. 

People were greeted by Beth Trussell, Boothbay lab lead administrator, and Sunny Hong, Boothbay Lab administrator, at the welcome desk/ticket counter. 

DMR’s Education Division Director Dottie Yunger said 630 adults and children came to check out the…

An Australian “clawed’ his way to victory June 26 in the 2024 Windjammer Days lobster eating contest. Craig Browning and wife Melissa are from Newcastle, Australia which is a couple hours north of Sydney. The couple is on a six-week tour of North America. They spent two weeks in New York City then rented a car and headed north. Prior stops included Boston, where they attended the June 21 Boston Celtics championship parade. The couple visited historic Salem, Massachusetts before…

The sun was out, it was a bit humid, but there were ways to cool off (thanks to the squirt guns and fire apparatus) as the annual Windjammer Days Street Parade rolled through town to cheering crowds on Wednesday afternoon, June 26.

Here’s a long list of what was represented: businesses, nonprofits, organizations (anniversaries for Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, 100; Boothbay Railway Village Museum, 60; Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 50; and Downeast Candies, 50) political…

The 62nd annual Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days will take place on Sunday, June 23 through Saturday, June 29. This year we will celebrate our local boatbuilders and shipwrights. Please visit boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org for the full schedule of events.

Katie Doughty Maddox grew up on the water and has always had a passion for the ocean and outdoor activities. Whether she was sailing…

The 62nd annual Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days will take place on Sunday, June 23 through Saturday, June 29. This year we will celebrate our local boatbuilders and shipwrights. Please visit boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org for the full schedule of events.

My family has a small Catboat that my grandfather had built which we keep at Riverside Boat Company in Newcastle. I would often help my…

The 62nd annual Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days will take place on Sunday, June 23 through Saturday, June 29. This year we will celebrate our local boatbuilders and shipwrights. Please visit boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org for the full schedule of events.

Ross’s interest in boats began as a youth while working summers at a sailing camp. His duties included some light cabin maintenance…

The Pirates of the Dark Rose returned to Whale Park for Windjammer Days June 25. The pirate bazaar included a puppet show of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” tattooing, weapons demonstrations, mapmaking and other kids’ activities. Meanwhile, the Shank Painters enlivened the crowd with sea shanties. And Stephen Lenhardt from the Black Spot Guild gave smithing demonstrations of how he makes silver coins, and he showed off his historical collection from the 1600s and 1700s. …

June 25, day three of Windjammer Days, had dozens of children creating various objects at Whale Park between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Windjammer Days is a festival held every year to commemorate the enormous sailing ship known as the “windjammer.” This year, it takes place from June 23 to July 1, providing all ancient boat lovers with a fun way to begin their summer. Windjammer Days events cover a spectrum from tours to activities, an antique boat parade and a street parade.

Visit…

A sunny day full of giant checkerboards, temporary tattoos and bubble machines kicked off Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library’s annual summer reading program on Tuesday, June 25. Each child got their photo taken for their official BHML book-themed passport. In addition to reading-time trackers and review pages, this year’s passport included several nature-themed challenges. For example: reading a book about an environmental activist, reading outside, or walking one of the region’s…

By the time you read this, you have probably missed Boothbay Harbor Fire Department’s Windjammer Days Pancake Breakfast on Wednesday morning, June 26, from 7 to 9 a.m., in Whale Park off Commercial Street.

Fellow firefighters from the Boothbay department enjoyed the meal, as well as members of the public. Besides pancakes, scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, bacon, blueberry muffins, coffee, juice and more was served. A sunny morning and the ocean-side view made for a great start to a…