What the heck is up with Windjammer Days in Boothbay?

I remember going to Windjammer Days about four years ago and there were 12 maybe 16 of the larger vessels. This year, there were four -- the Heritage, Bowditch, French and American Eagle -- and it was over in about an hour. Those four ships were impressive, but it%26#39;s not worth a special event IMHO. They had the Bounty in the harbor, but it just sat there tied to the dock.

If they keep doing it like this, they may as well just forget the ';Windjammers Day'; promotion and just have their town pride parade. Is this the result of some sort of inter-town competition or disagreement?

Pretty sad.

What the heck is up with Windjammer Days in Boothbay?

WINDJAMMERS DAY 2007 ~ THE REGION’S FAMILY FESTIVAL

By Susan Clough

Back in 1962 when Captains David and Marion Dash hatched the idea for a festival of sailing ships, the celebration primarily revolved around the fleet of windjammers that were operating in Maine waters and Boothbay Harbor, which was often called the “Boating Capital of New England”. Five windjammers were on hand for the 1st Annual Windjammer Day event and the harbor was filled with personal and commercial craft. There was a Queen of the Schooner Fleet chosen from the passengers on the windjammers, a Captain’s Dinner, a parade of powerboats, raffles and other waterside activities. Thus, Windjammer Days was born.

Over the years, Windjammer Days has evolved to not only include our celebration of the maritime history of our area but also to be a Great Family Festival with activities on both land and sea.

Today, 45 years later, the tradition of the 1st Windjammer Days Festival is still alive and well. No doubt, the majestic windjammers are still a focal point of our festival but this festival has become so much more than that. It is our opportunity to kick off summer, to spend time with our families and friends, to mingle with our neighbors and local businessmen and to welcome visitors to our community.

An All-Volunteer Committee is responsible for the planning and production of the event combined with the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce. Our long time corporate sponsors (see page 4) provide invaluable support to help promote and produce Windjammer Days. .

Perhaps more importantly, there are an incredible number of people that help in making the festival happen. Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber member businesses donate products and services for our fabulous Windjammer Raffle and the VIP Military and Sponsor Reception. Our Maine Senators assist the Committee every year in requesting and securing port visits from a variety of military vessels. The Public Works Department, Police Department and Harbor Patrol provide invaluable services to ensure the smooth operation and safety of the event.

Both business and individual efforts result in raising the funds for the spectacular fireworks on Wednesday evening. Local organizations work with the Windjammer Committee to have activities at the Library and at the Aquarium for kids and adults alike, a wonderful craft fair at the Boothbay Common, and this year a Family Festival at the YMCA has been added to the roster of activities. The Harbor Children’s Center will be your hosts for the Pancake Breakfasts this year with a little help from our local Coast Guard Station crew! Local churches have incredible potluck dinners and there are shipyard tours, tours of the Coast Guard Station in West Boothbay Harbor and a multiple of boating activities for all the family. The festival has had art shows and sing-a-longs.

The action on the waterfront is a combination of live musical concerts featuring jazz, bluegrass, swing, folk, rock and reggae throughout both days at the Waterfront Park, as well as our own Boothbay Region Alumni Community Band! There is also watching our Antique Boat Parade with wonderful commentary on the history of all the classic boats in the area and then seeing who wins that $10,000 Cash Transfusion Raffle for the benefit St. Andrews Hospital Auxiliary. Food and beverages are available at the park from one of our local restaurants and the Boy Scouts get involved with yummy desserts. And let’s not forget our Windjammer Street Parade, which has provided some of the most creative floats and entertainment of every festival.

Time and coordination are the biggest challenges in planning and producing any event, especially one relying so heavily on volunteers. Change brings us challenges – fewer sailing windjammers available to participate, more demands on everyone’s time, less access to the local community docks, more liability and security issues and so much more. This region is fortunate enough to have what it takes to insure that Windjammer Days will endure for the next 45 years, changing with the times and of course changing with however the wind shall blow. We thank those who have been the working committee of it and invite those who want to be in the future, to come be part of what makes Windjammer Days an enduring family festival…..the people of this region.