Maine Lobster Festival 2012

Maine - The Way Life Should Be

Great Maine Vacations Home: Maine Lobster Festival

Rockland, Maine Lobster Festival 2012

Surely you won't want to miss out on the 65th Annual Maine Lobster Festival, in Rockland, Maine, a historic harbor town along Maine's Midcoast. Even a U.S. Navy ship has made recent appearances at the Lobster Fest - perhaps again this year?

When is the 2012 festival? The festival for 2012, officially opens on Wednesday, August 1st and runs through Sunday, August 5th, 2012.

When is the festival in 2013, 2014? The Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce says it's easy to figure out...

...the festival always runs Wednesday to Sunday and begins the Wednesday before the first full weekend in August.

So, that means that the Rockland Lobster Festival 2013 will run from July 31st through August 4th, and the Lobster Festival 2014 (by calculation, but needs to be confirmed) would run from July 30th through August 3rd.

Where is the festival located? Downtown Rockland, Maine, in Harbor Park, which overlooks Penobscot Bay along Maine's Midcoast region.

Why go to the festival? For starters, how does 20,000 pounds of fresh Maine lobster sound?

Lobster Claws Add to that...

...what is acclaimed to be the world's largest lobster cooker, great live entertainment, the Big Parade - featuring a variety of bands, floats, marching units, and a newly crowned Sea Goddess and her Sea Princesses...

...various arts and crafts vendors, U.S. Coast Guard Station tours, road races, carnival rides, seafood cooking contests, games and activities for the kids.

And, all of that atop an all you can eat blueberry pancake breakfast!

How to get to Rockland Maine Lobster Festival...

Rockland, Maine, located in the Midcoast, is an easy drive from many locales - a four hour drive from Boston, Massachusetts and a two hour drive from Portland, Maine.

Rockland parking is limited, but hopefully, as for the 2011 Maine Lobster Festival...

...the 2012 Maine lobster fest will have free shuttle service between the parking lots at Rockland District High School (400 Broadway, US Rt 1A), Rockland District Middle School (30 Broadway), and the festival fairgrounds.

For handicap parking...

...on the northbound lane of South Main Street, directly adjacent to the Main Gate, there are approximately 8 handicap parking spaces. Also on Myrtle Street, across from the Maine Gate, are approximately 14 other handicap parking places.

Driving directions to Maine Lobster Festival...

From Boston: Approximately 185 miles. Take I-95 into Maine. Follow I-95 North to I-295, Exit 44, South Portland/Downtown Portland. Take I-295 North to Exit 28, which is U.S. Route 1 North (Coastal Route) Brunswick/Bath. Follow U.S. Route 1 to Thomaston. Rockland is another four miles on Coastal Route 1.
From Portland: Approximately 82 miles. Take I-295 North to Exit 28, which is U.S. Route 1 North (Coastal Route) Brunswick/Bath. Follow U.S. Route 1 to Thomaston. Rockland is another four miles on Coastal Route 1.
From Quebec, Canada: Approximately 251 miles. Take 73 South to 173 South. At the U.S. border 173 South becomes 201 South. Exit 95 South, continue to the City of Augusta. In Augusta, take 17 East to Rockland.
Alternative route from the South: So as to avoid heavy summer traffic on U.S. Route 1 - take I-95 to Exit 109 Augusta and follow Route 17 East into Rockland.

You can also get to Rockland by train...

The Maine Eastern Railroad travels from Brunswick to Rockland. The summer 2012 schedule is yet to be announced at: www.maineeasternrailroad.com.

Or, visit fly into a Maine airport for the Lobster Festival...

If you will be traveling a long distance, or wish to make a short trip even shorter, you may be interested in my response to a woman who asked about airports in Maine near Rockland lobster Festival. In a nutshell...

...the closest airport to the lobster fest is Knox County Regional Airport in Owls Head Maine, and further away are the Portland, Maine airport and the Bangor Maine airport, each with rental cars available..

How to volunteer at Maine Lobster Festival... Being a volunteer (whether you are a local or from away) is a great way to meet Maine visitors AND mingle with many of the great people who call Maine home. Read about volunteering at the Lobster Fest, and perks that come with it!

How to Buy tickets for the 2012 Maine Lobster Festival...

(I will be updating ticket information once the 2012 Lobster Festival cost is announced. Below are ticket prices for the Rockland Lobster Fest 2011)

Daily Festival General Admission tickets are available at the gates.

On Wednesday, Maine Lobster Festival Hometown Day 2011, admission is FREE!

Thursday, Friday and Saturday daily admission to the grounds is $8 for the entire day ($2 ages 6-11 and free for children under 5).

Sunday, Family Fun Day, general admission is $5 ($2 ages 6-11 and free for children under 5).

Four day Maine passes ($25 for adults and $8 for children ages 6 to 12) can be purchased at the Main Gate on Wednesday and Thursday of the festival.

Additional information about the Rockland Lobster Festival can be obtained from the Rockland, Maine Chamber of Commerce (Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce):

P.O. Box 552
Rockland, ME 04841
207-596-0376
800-562-2529
info@mainelobsterfestival.com

B&B's, Inns, Motels, Hotels Rockland Maine

There is no shortage of Rockland, Maine lodging. A good thing, since thousands of tourists vacation to this scenic town annually to enjoy the beauty of its waterfront, and its many arts and crafts shops, boutiques, restaurants and museums.

Lobster Bouys Rockland is home to many special events and festivals, including not only the Maine Lobster Festival...

...but also the North Atlantic Blues Festival, Down East Pirate Days, the Maine Windjammer Parade...

...the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show, and many other fun things to do, for you and your family.

You will have your choice of quaint country inns, secluded bed and breakfasts, mom-and-pop motels...

...summer cottages, your own tent pitched at one of several Midcoast Maine campgrounds, or one of many Maine oceanfront vacations rentals.

But keep in mind - whatever type of Rockland, ME lodging accommodations you choose, book early! The Maine Lobster Festival is a BIG event and rooms often fill quickly.

Contact Me