SUMMERTIME!
Joy to the Wind Gallery
Looking forward to catching up with everyone at Joy To The Wind! The winter months flew by. This year we focused quite extensively on nature for our subject matter as we are just completing a series of works for the author of a new book about native plants. Bugs, bees, plants, and trees and as always; waterscapes and islands. New work included with this announcement: “Illuminations” and “Morning Sail.”
Spring is slowly coming around. This means anticipating the new growth in our… Read more
This week at the Harbor Theater
“The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” - (R; 2 hours) - Based upon recently declassified files of the British War Department and inspired by true events, this action-comedy that tells the story of the first-ever special forces organization formed during WWII by UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and a small group of military officials including author Ian Fleming. The top-secret combat unit, composed of a motley crew of rogues and mavericks, goes on a daring mission… Read more
Raffle for Windjammer Days sailing charter
Thanks to the generosity of Canvas + Pine Sailing Expeditions, Boothbay Region Historical Society is raffling a 2-hour private sailing charter for 6 during 2024 Windjammer Days, between June 25 to June 28. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is a curated private sail aboard the Pilot Cutter Hesper, newly owned by East Boothbay sailor Eben Wilson and currently being commissioned for the season at Bristol Marine in Boothbay Harbor.
Hesper is a wooden, 60-foot, gaff-… Read more
BBH Opera House: Hanneke Cassel with Jenna Moynihan and Keith Murphy
With a career spanning over two decades, Hanneke Cassel has helped redefine what it means to be a modern fiddler. A driving force in the ever-changing landscape of acoustic music, Hanneke blends originality and innovation with the spirit of Scottish traditional fiddle. She will be appearing with Jenna Moynihan and Keith Murphy in a May 10 concert at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor.
Fusing musical roots from the Isle of Skye and Cape Breton Island with Americana stylings, Hanneke’s… Read more
Screening at Lincoln Theater this week
2024 Wild & Scenic Film Festival - Presented by Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust invites you to the 7th annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival on tour at the Lincoln Theater. Kick back and enjoy a hand-picked selection of just-released short films, and enter to win great giveaways from Coastal Rivers and Wild & Scenic’s National Partners. The 2024 Wild & Scenic Film Festival inspires environmental activism and a love for nature… Read more
Tapestry Singers present Castlebay
Tapestry Singers presents Castlebay in a lecture performance at the Lincoln Home, 22 River Road, in Newcastle on Sunday, June 2 at 2 p.m.
The duo, Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee, will present musical stories of Maine: romance, ramblers and rogues, woven with history and humor. The event is free to the public in conjunction with the Tapestry Singers June 15 and 16 concerts “Songs of Maine: A Belated Celebration of Maine's… Read more
Mung Bean celebrates 50 years!
Mung Bean is easily Maine's oldest exclusively American-made craft store as it celebrates 50 years!
Sue Billings and Steve Madden, the sister and brother team, opened their craft shop in 1974 at the ages of 19 and 16 in the small Maine town of Coopers Mills. They named it Mung Bean after the tiny green beans they were sprouting for their vegetarian dishes. They had no retail experience, business training, or financial backing, yet proceeded with the idealistic optimism of youth and… Read more
Oh! Canada...Artists from Toronto, Quebec and Ottawa on stage
Three different acts from Canada will grace The Waldo stage over the next few weeks with three glorious musical performances. On Thursday May 9, audiences can experience the superb musicianship and energy of Le Vent du Nord, Quebec’s progressive francophone band. On Saturday, May 18, the audience becomes the show via an epic 80s sing-along party with Toronto's famed Choir! Choir! Choir! And on Sunday, June 23, Ottawa’s Kathleen Edwards will delight the crowd with her swirling melodies and… Read more
This week at Harbor Theater
“Wicked Little Letters” - (R; 1 hour, 40 minutes) - Set in a 1920s English seaside town, "Wicked Little Letters" is a riotous mystery comedy based on a stranger-than-fiction true story, following the antics of Edith (Olivia Colman) and Rose (Jessie Buckley). When deeply conservative English local Edith Swan and her rowdy, foul-mouthed Irish migrant neighbor Rose Gooding are implicated in a series of wicked letters, a national uproar ensues, leading to a trial. However, as… Read more
‘Talismans, Faces and Other Creations’ opening May 3
Join us at the Waldo Theatre Gallery at 916 Main St. for an exhibit featuring the works of Rockland artist Marjorie Strauss titled "Talismans, Faces and Other Creations". Delve into a world of painted ceramic sculpture, limited series cast pieces and paintings. The show will be on display from May 3 to 29 with an Artist’s Reception on Sunday, May 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. Come and meet the artist.
Drawn to Maine for its rugged beauty and sense of independence in its people, Strauss came to… Read more
Sing Schubert ‘Mass in G’ this summer
Sing the beautiful Franz Schubert “Mass in G major, D.167” with the Lincoln Festival Chorus this summer! Under the leadership of Artistic Director Linda Blanchard who is assisted by pianist and organist Sean Fleming, now is the perfect time to join Lincoln Festival Chorus as we celebrate our 44th season.
Composed in just a week in 1815 when the composer was 18, the “Mass in G” features the charming melodic writing and charm for which Schubert is known. The work will be performed on… Read more
On the trail: Great stops for antiques hunters
Among the many fun pastimes on the Boothbay peninsula is the joy of hunting for unique items from our past. If "something old" is calling you, why not check out these stops? Who knows? You may find a treasure to bring back home.
Iron Horse Antiques and General Store isat the entrance to the Railway Village Museum on Route 27 in Boothbay.
It's the only multi-dealer antique shop in the Boothbay area and its large space includes items from 20 dealers, according to Cathy Blair,… Read more
‘Generations: The Legacy of Mentors’ at the Maine Art Gallery
Lighthouse Ho!
No visit to the coast of Maine is complete without seeing at least one lighthouse.
From Boothbay, it’s possible to see or visit no fewer than nine, all within easy distance. For more information, check http://mainelightstoday.com, Newenglandlighthouses.net, Maine.gov, Lighthousefriends.com and … Read more
A visitor’s guide to local history
Boothbay Region Historical Society
Located in the 1874 home of Elizabeth F. Reed and the surrounding grounds of Fullerton Park, Boothbay Region Historical Society offers visitors six rooms full of artifacts, photographs, maps and memorabilia. For those interested in researching personal heritage, local archives including town records, newspapers, family histories, account books and more are also available. Keep an eye out for their forthcoming 2024 Speaker Series… Read more
Get to the Point!
There’s no better place in the Boothbay region to see Maine’s dramatic coastline than Ocean Point. No matter your schedule or the weather, it’s a must-see on every visitor’s bucket list.
Take a break from busy downtown Boothbay Harbor to relax by the water and watch boats pass by Ram Island Lighthouse. At high tide, waves put on a show as they crash against rocky shores. When the water recedes, check for tingling sea life throughout wave-hidden tide pools. But the views don’t stop… Read more
Be sure to visit East Boothbay
If you take Route 96/Ocean Point Road off Route 27/Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor, it will take you to the village of East Boothbay. There you will find the businesses the village is best known for – boatyards and shipyards.
Stop at East Boothbay General Store to pick up a picnic lunch, then hang a right onto Murray Hill Road to the Linekin Bay boat launch – about 500 yards – to view the ocean and enjoy your food.
There is public parking behind the East Boothbay Fire… Read more
Shopping: Variety inside the storefronts
The Boothbay and Wiscasset regions are destinations for summer visitors and vacationers who usually look to purchase something to remember their visit.
For decades, the downtown businesses in both towns have catered to visitors, as well as residents, by offering a wide variety of items for personal use or gift-giving.
You can find a multitude of items, from decorative pieces made by Maine artisans to the obligatory T-shirts and hats. There are bookstores, art galleries, toy… Read more
Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club celebrates 50 years of races
For half a century, sailors and boat enthusiasts have delighted in one of the Boothbay region’s most anticipated events. This year marks the 50th Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Regatta, which takes place July 20 and 21 around the harbor and outside of Squirrel Island. It is the oldest regatta in Maine, according to regatta co-chair Bob Scribner.
“Running a regatta for this length of time has required a strong commitment from club members and leaders over the years,” Scribner said. He… Read more
Boothbay Region a beloved wedding destination
As a sought-out Midcoast wedding destination, the Boothbay region provides the perfect backdrop for that quintessential Maine wedding. Couples seeking a unique and memorable wedding experience are captivated with picturesque land and seascapes, a robust selection of wedding services, and truly one-of-a-kind offerings that help make the special day one of their most memorable moments in life.
Knot-tiers are drawn to our diverse array of venues. Antique churches, waterfront resorts… Read more
Artful connection: Marguerite Robichaux and Tom Cavanaugh
Maine Art Gallery’s current show, “Generations: The Legacy of Mentors,” celebrates the relationship between aspiring artists and their mentors. It also exemplifies each mentor’s impact on the mentee’s work, years and decades later. The opening reception on May 4 drew 250 people! That’s got to be some kind of record, right there. The show features two works by the artist and two works by the mentor. This column focuses on Marguerite Robichaux and her mentor Tom Cavanaugh.
Tom was a… Read more
Off the beaten path
The Boothbay Region and Wiscasset area are filled with nature to explore. The region has thousands of acres of conservation land for hikers, bicyclists, paddlers and other outdoor enthusiasts. If you’re looking to get outside, here are some publicly accessible areas. Check with land managers to be sure of routes, rules and how to be a responsible environmental steward.
Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT). BRLT is a nonprofit that provides public access to nature across the peninsula… Read more
‘New’ footbridge a piece of town history
The iconic Boothbay Harbor Footbridge is perhaps the most recognized structure in town. The pedestrian bridge has connected downtown to the east side for over a century, allowing people a scenic view or convenient walk to homes, hotels and businesses.
The footbridge was built in 1901 by Luther Maddocks for $1,500. Since then, it has gone through numerous renovations. It was restored twice after severe ice damage in the winters of 1918 and 1928. In addition, it was rehabilitated in… Read more
Local libraries for every bookworm
From ocean shores to scenic restaurants, the Boothbay region is filled with picture-perfect spots to get comfortable and enjoy a great read. Here is a short list of area libraries to find your next page turner.
Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. In the heart of downtown Boothbay Harbor, this library, celebrating its 100th year in 2024, is a town landmark. Throughout the year, it offers regular community programming for adults and children. Don’t miss the Friends of the Library used… Read more
Can’t miss – Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG) is named one of Maine’s top attractions by five different publishers. Known locally as “the Gardens,” they inspire and educate people about natural history, habitats, botany, horticulture and ecology. According to information from the Gardens, the campus welcomes more than 200,000 guests annually from throughout the U.S. and abroad; and CMBG is the largest botanical garden in New England, with over 300 acres, including17 gardens that feature native… Read more
Enjoy the region’s wildlife opportunities
"The wildlife in the Boothbay Region is truly special – we have great diversity of beautiful creatures that have adapted to living where the land meets the sea,” said Tracey Hall, environmental educator for Boothbay Region Land Trust (BBRLT). The trust provides public access to natural habitats through its conservation programs including 20 preserves, over 30 miles of trails, and 100 free educational events designed to connect people of all ages to the land. Trail maps, scheduled speakers,… Read more
Let’s go to Barrett’s Park
Barrett’s Park, a 10-acre public park on Lobster Cove Road in Boothbay Harbor, is one of the region’s treasures.
It is a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life – a place to have fun and/or just to relax. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and pass away the hours – reading, swimming, picnicking, or just taking in the surroundings along the coast.
The land features a small beach for swimming, wading, or launching a kayak, a gazebo for shade or picknicking, an expansive… Read more
The world comes to our stage
The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor has never been “just a building” in its 130-year history.
The three-story Queen Anne–style building was built in 70 days in 1894 by members of the Knights of Pythias. Since then, it has played an intrinsic role in the lives of residents and visitors on the peninsula. Originally the meeting place for the Knights of Pythias and the Masons, it has been the site of dances, plays, proms, school concerts, political forums, art shows, and various small… Read more
Meet at Waterfront/Whale Park
The Commercial Street park in Boothbay Harbor – also known as Waterfront Park and Whale Park (because the brickwork is in the shape of a whale) – first opened during the town’s Windjammer Days Festival in June 1999.
Conveniently located at the town pier and offering a spectacular view of boats cruising through the harbor, the east side business and residential district, the glorious Catholic Church and more, Waterfront Park has provided a peaceful place to view the ocean, gather and… Read more
Speed on the water!
There’s a whole lot of wake on the way when lobster boat engines start revving up for another season of lobster boat racing on the coast of Maine.
The official start to Maine’s lobster boat racing season happens every year in Boothbay Harbor over Father’s Day weekend. This year, that date is Saturday, June 15. In 2005, the race event became the Charlie Begin Memorial Lobster Boat Races, in honor of the beloved native lobsterman and racing participant.
These races have been… Read more
The Boothbay Register/Wiscasset Newspaper – hometown news you just can’t get anywhere else.
Lobster Boat Races
SATURDAY of FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND
Races begin at 10 a.m.
Commemorative Ts and sweatshirts at sign up table at Brown’s Wharf on Atlantic Avenue go on sale at 8 a.m. - and they go fast (not as fast as the lobster boats, but pretty close!)
The lobster boat season revs up here in Boothbay Harbor the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend each year!
22 Commercial St., Boothbay Harbor
207-633-7200
Sail the Bennie Alice from Pier 6 in Boothbay Harbor to Cabbage Island, a quintessential Maine experience. The Moore family hosts guests 7 days a week from mid-June through Labor Day serving up traditional Downeast clambakes cooked on the water's edge.
Pier 6, Boothbay Harbor.
207-613-7339
Take the Harbor Princess or Pink Lady II for adventure ... Whale watching - Puffin and pelagic bird trips - lighthouse tour - Reggae cruise - and so many more!
Ticket booth at Pier 8.
207-633-2284
Book a trip aboard the Novelty, Balmy Days II, Miss Boothbay, or Friendship sloop Bay Lady.
Trips include: Monhegan Island, mackerel fishing, harbor tours, more!
Ticket booth on Pier 1 - 20 Commercial St., Boothbay Harbor
207-633-6598
Day sails, sunset cruises, private charters aboard Eastwind and Applejack (formerly the Lazy Jack)!
120 Commercial St./Bristol Marine
Please note: Schooner Isaac Evans is not sailing in 2023.
92 Wall Point Road, Boothbay Harbor
Freedom Boat Club offers an affordable alternative to boat ownership.
207-650-6027
66 Fort Road, Edgecomb
Held the last Thursday in June through September.
Art gallery events, entertainment, food, public participation art projects, more!
First Friday Art Tour
Held between the hours of 3-8 p.m. on the first Friday of June through October.
A self-guided walking (or driving) tour of the art galleries in Boothbay Harbor. See new work by local artists and gallery owners, refreshments; often with live demos and/or music! Times vary. Look for the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber info table outside Coastal Maine Popcorn for the map of participants the first Friday June - Oct. and/or check out the listings in the week’s edition of the Boothbay Register/Wiscasset Newspaper!
296 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor
Dinner and a music-filled show - summer stock that’s not to be missed! Visit the website for show dates.
Call 633-5297 for reservations.
Established in 2017 as the Boothbay Region Sculpture Trail by the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce. Sculptures of stone from granite to marble, metal, steel and more lead you along the Trail through town, and then by car to locations in Boothbay, East Boothbay and Southport Island. Trail maps are available at the Chamber, 192 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor, and other locations to be announced.
50 Sugar Maple Lane, Boothbay.
Breathtaking vistas, challenging 18-hole golf course, and a sea breeze blowing off the ocean. The stunning new clubhouse is unlike any other facility in Maine with luxury amenities - including Giselaine’s Spa, and unparalleled service.