Our final week in Rockland, luckily, coincided with the 68th Annual Maine Lobster Festival. As a non-profit community fundraiser, the 1000 plus volunteers are integral to its success. An estimated 90,000 people were in attendance over the 5-day event.
Over 17,000 pounds of lobster were sold this year, in addition to steamed and fried clams, steamed mussels, fried and shrimp cocktail, clam chowder, and standard carny food for those not interested in the bounty from the sea. Food was the highlight of the festival but there were several tents selling the arts and crafts of Mainers, and 2 performance tents offering a variety of
entertainment. Coronation of the sea goddess, crate races, a cooking contest, carnival rides and a parade along Main St. were other activities rounding out the event. Tours of the USS Tortuga were available, but the hour-long wait line discouraged me from taking the tour. Lobsters were prepared in a specially-built lobster cooker, which consists of 6 steamer containers, which can cook up to 200 pounds of lobster each.
Securing tickets for the Tower of Power show, we swayed and clapped and danced to the high-energy, horn-driven rhythm and blues group. Starting in 1968, Emilio Castello and Stephen Kupka were the founding fathers of the group, and are still on stage. Ray Greene, their new lead singer, joined the group in early 2014 and does not disappoint. This 10-piece group blew away the audience and had most of us on our feet for the whole program.
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| Alvaro in Camden |
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While I explored Rockland on foot during our last week, Alan participated in a workshop in Belfast and Camden, with the renowned watercolorist, Alvaro Castagnet. As a winner of numerous national and international awards, Alvaro traveled from his home in Uruguay, to present this workshop. For a glimpse of what he experienced during the week click
here. Alvaro's expressive, fluid paintings express the "soul" of his subject matter. Alan is hoping that some of his energy and passion rubs off on him as we head to our next Maine destination, Stonington, where he intends to spend many hours painting along the alluring coastal region of Deer Isle.
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| View being painted |
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| Alvaro's finished work of Camden Harbor |
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| Camden Harbor |
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| Entertainment on the Main Stage, and Ferris wheel |
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| Mermaid sculptures near the craft tent |
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| Moonrise over the USS Tortuga at the Rockland Harbor |
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| Rollerblading lobster in the parade |
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| Sea Goddess with King Neptune |
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| Budweiser's Clydesdales |
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| Clydesdales |
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| Transferring cooked lobster to rush to the food tent |
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| The lobster steamer can cook up to 1200 pounds at one time. |
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| Belfast waterfront on a foggy morning |
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Securing tickets for the Tower of Power show, we swayed and clapped and danced to the high-energy, horn-driven rhythm and blues group. Starting in 1968, Emilio Castello and Stephen Kupka were the founding fathers of the group, and are still on stage. Ray Greene, their new lead singer, joined the group in early 2014 and does not disappoint. This 10-piece group blew away the audience and had most of us on our feet for the whole program.
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