While nothing says winter like the scent of raw shrimp in our kitchens (most years anyway), nothing says spring like Fishermen's Festival weekend. The 41st hometown celebration is headed for Boothbay Harbor April 25-27.

The weekend starts off in the traditional manner with the Shrimp Princess Pageant on Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. in the Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) gymnasium. Plan on stopping by Mr. C's on the way to the show and try something from his special pre-pageant dinner menu.

Get to the pageant early because this event isn't just for family and friends; the whole town comes out to cheer the contestants on. Girls between the ages of 9 and 12 compete for the title, as they have since 1974, when contestant Elizabeth Harding belted out Three Dog Night's “Joy to the World” and forever won the distinction of being the first Shrimp Princess. (That was back in the early days when the weekend was called the Lincoln County Shrimp Festival and held in March.)

Reigning Shrimp Princess Lillian Sherburne will return to the BRHS stage for her final hurrah as official local royalty. Lillian will then perform her final duty: crown the 2014 princess. Will she be one of Princess Lillian's 2013 runner ups? We know first runner up Hali Goodwin plans to return.

The contestants take part in a question and answer segment about the festival with Master of Ceremonies Andrew Morley, which is followed by a talent segment and gown competition. It's just like Miss Teen USA, only better, because they're “our” kids.

Parents in a celebratory mood can meet up with friends downtown, dancing and celebrating at McSeagull's to the tunes of In Too Deep. The band features local musicians Brian Howe, Brian Rittershaus, Jeff Ramsdell, Dean “the Rock” Berry and vocalist Glenn Burnham.

That friendly, but competitive spirit carries over from the school to the waterfront on Saturday, April 26 beginning with the Codfish Relay Race. Four person teams of high schoolers will don foul weather gear and run like the wind with a fish under each arm. Last year, the junior class took first first place — will they defend their title this year? In the Small Fry race, for grades 5-8, the eighth grade won first place honors with a time of 3:18.

Bait shoveling has been eliminated from the festival games to make way for a new event: The Greasy Pole.

That's right. Think of a 30-foot metal pole, 5 inches in diameter, extending over the water from a barge or float, shining in the sun, greased up with a Crisco-type product.

Up to 15 adroit individuals, aged 14 and up, will try to cross the pole to a flag at the end. Without stopping to think, he or she must pluck the flag from the pole and head back the way they came, without falling into the drink or dropping the flag. I sure hope it's one of those smaller flags you see on cars and such.

Hold that spectator spot near the water, ‘cause the Lobster Crate Running contestants will be darting across as quickly and nimbly as possible for bragging rights. Last year in the kid's competition, Isaac Wyer ran 200 crates and took first place, and Jason Maddocks won first in the adult run with 75 crates.

The trap hauling event is certainly an excitement generator — must be those lobster boat engines!

Over the years there have been some stimulating endings, a few boats hitting the pier enough to jostle the cheering adventurous spectators. The Carter family has a rep for steering their way to first place in this event more often than not, and last year was no exception: Mark Carter and brother Matt Carter came in with a time of 2:35 aboard the Samantha Ann.

Will the Carter family retain the winners title, or will Clive Farrin aboard his Sea Swallow, second place last year with a time of 3:52, claim it for himself?

Speaking of reigning champions, how about Sea Pier's women’s Tug of War team? Capt. Lesley (Carter) Blethen believes the team has won for five consecutive years. Prior to that, first place was back and forth between Sea Pier and Gray's Wharf women's team.

Last year the team's time was 0:36; in the co-ed adult pull, Pier 1 versus Fishermen's Festival committee members, Pier 1 emerged the winner in an easy six seconds. In the men's pull, Yereance & Son Plumbing, with a time of 1:18, nabbed braggin' rights and in the kid's tug, the fourth grade bested the third.

Who's strong enough, brave enough and ready to take it to the street this year?

Food related events include lobster picking and eating, and oyster shucking. Hey, this weekend is a seafood lover's dream!

Competing in, and watching festival events can make a person hungry; it’s a good thing there's a fish fry complete with fish sandwich, fries, chowder, pickles and chips.

During last year's fry, also at Mine Oyster 772 sandwiches were sold; 7 cases of potato chips, 175 pounds of French fries, 13 gallons of fish chowder and two large cases of pickles!

The kids will have fun (even without the bubblegum contest) there will be games, a bouncy house and face-painting in the Fisherman’s Wharf parking lot.

If you find yourself hungry later in the afternoon, what with all that fresh air and all, head over to the Congregational Church in Boothbay Harbor for its traditional Fishermen's Festival supper.

The fun and games continue through the night on the waterfront with musical accompaniment: The Boneheads are at McSeagull's and Krewe de Groove, with special guest Douglas Gimbel at Mine Oyster.

On Sunday, April 27 it's time to honor those who have lost their lives making their living from the sea. The bell at Our Lady Queen of Peace tolls as the names of fishermen, dating back to 1798, are read by area clergy. Immediately following, the fishing fleet floats by the dock at The Lobster Wharf, to be blessed by the clergy.

As the boats parade around the harbor, look for the Shrimp Princess, who will be aboard the lead boat.

The annual trip to Burnt Island happens at noon on Sunday. Tickets are on sale now at The First, N.A. Depart from Pier 8 and get a glimpse of the living history tour given twice weekly in season.

Fishermen's Festival is much anticipated and much beloved in these here parts. The roots of many a great story can be traced to this weekend. If you've never experienced it, you've never experienced Boothbay.

For a complete schedule of events, visit the Festival page on the Boothbay Register's website, www.boothbayregister.com.  Watch for the 2014 Fishermen's Festival supplement in the April 24 edition of the Boothbay Register. If you’ll be on your photo during the festival, be sure to use hashtag #FF207 or send your photos of the fest to pix@boothbayregister.com.