How many pounds of lobster do you think are eaten each year at the Rockland Lobster Festival? While you ponder that a moment, we’ll go ahead and tell you that in addition to delicious food, the annual Rockland Lobster Festival is a great place to enjoy a parade, live music, arts and craft vendors, a marine tent and much more. This five-day festival, held at Rockland Harbor Park on the city’s waterfront, draws tens of thousands of folks who share a deep love for lobster, as well as Maine.
And now the answer you’ve been waiting for! If you guessed that 20,000 pounds of lobster are consumed during the annual Rockland Lobster Festival, then you would be correct! Lobster is served a variety of mouth-watering ways during the festival. Don’t miss tasting the famous Maine Lobster Roll!
Rockland Lobster Festival Schedule of Events
The schedule of events is always packed with a range of live music and demonstrations. Here’s a sampling of what you can experience at the upcoming festival.
- Enjoy watching – or maybe even participate in – the Maine Lobster Festival Seafood Cooking Contest where top “chefs” compete for $525 in prize money, as well as some serious bragging rights.
- If you enjoy beer or wine, be sure to visit the Steins & Vines Tasting Event, where you can sample local beers and wines made in Maine. There is an additional fee for this tasting event. This year’s participants include Rock Harbor, Sebago Brewing, Allaghash, Peak Organic Brewing, Sweetgrass Farm Winery & Distillery and many more.
- Additional entertainment includes live bands, storytellers, the coronation of the Maine Sea Goddess and more.
- There is also plenty of fun for the kids. Just look for the Children’s Tent, where various activities will take place including face painting, storytelling, balloon animals, crafts and much more!
For more information on the festival’s events, please visit the website.
Where to buy tickets
The 2017 festival will be held August 2-6. Tickets can be purchased at the festival gates. On opening day, Wednesday, tickets are just $1 for adults and free for children between the ages of 6-12. The festival opens at 12 and closes at 10 p.m. on opening day. Admission for Thursday through Saturday is $8 for adults. Sunday is “Family Fun Day” and admission is free for all ages!
Getting to Rockland from Camden
Rockland is just about a 20-minute drive from Camden via U.S. 1. Enjoy the ride along the scenic highway, park for free at Oceanside East High School and take a free shuttle bus to the festival. The shuttles run every 30 minutes.