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There are seafood festivals and then there is the Maine Lobster Festival! Five days of feasting and fun on the fantastic coast of Maine! The festival takes place every year during the first weekend of August, from Wednesday to Sunday. This year that would be July 31 to August 4, 2024.
It has become an internationally recognized celebration of local seafood. The Maine Lobster Festival attracts visitors from around the block and around the globe. It attracts thousands of visitors each year, coming for the fresh, local lobster dinners, nationally renowned entertainment, cooking contests, activities for all ages and Maine craftsmen and artists. Admission to the festival is free.
A non-profit organization, the Maine Lobster Festival donates all its proceeds to the Midcoast Maine communities. It supports local food pantries, high school sports, local emergency services, community service groups and offers college scholarships. Since 1947, the Maine Lobster Festival has given more than $500,000 to Midcoast Maine communities.
Food Tent
This is where the Maine lobster dinner and desserts are served and enjoyed. Thousands of pounds of lobsters are served each day.
Also, the All You Can Eat Blueberry Pancake Breakfast begins every day at 7 am to 10 am.
The Marketplace
You’ll find a wide variety of displays, demonstrations and items for sale plus commercial exhibits, crafts vendors ad displays by non-profit organizations. Vendors will be selling clothing, jewelry, art, personalized gifts and unique items.
Food Stands
You’ll find lots of French fries, hot dogs and fried dough at the festival. Food trucks featuring traditional cuisine set up shop throughout the grounds.
Cooking Contest
Each year, amateur chefs compete in the Maine Lobster Festival Seafood Cocktail Contest. The recipe can be any dish and must contain seafood found in Maine waters. A panel of judges select the winner based on creativity, suitability of the seafood to the recipe and simplicity. First prize is $200, second prize is $175 and third prize is $150.
Parade
The Maine Lobster Festival’s Big Parade will be happening on August 2, 2025, at 10 am. This year’s theme is “The Dog Days of Summer.” You csn expect to see colorful floats, marching bands, stilt walkers, fire trucks, sports team mascots, the New England Patriot cheerleaders, MVRA Stars, color guards and more.
Additional Festival Activities
The festival will also have top rate entertainment, an international crate race, fine art, a sea goddess coronation and more.
Maine Cooking
If you liked the lobster and blueberry pancakes at the festival and are interested in learning more about cooking Maine favorites, try these cookbooks. Use our links to see how you can save money.
- Eventide Recipes for Clambakes, Oysters, Lobster Rolls & More From A Modern Maine Seafood Shack by Arlin Smith and Andrew Taylor
- Little Local Maine Cookbook by Annie B. Copps
- Traditional Maine Blueberry Recipes by Joseph Demakis
Visiting Rockland
If you’re visiting Rockland for the festival, there are houses, condos, apartments and other rental units that might be perfect for your trip. Take a look at these rental options.
Many people like to go to festivals in RVs. It does have its advantages. You don’t have an RV? Then you can rent one and Green Vacation Deals recommends RVShare.
If you’re going to be flying to Maine, find out how you can save money with a promo code here.
Location
Rockland, Maine, is within 46 miles of Bath, Brunswick, Camden, Augusta, Belfast, Winslow and Bucksport. Rockland is 71 miles from Lewiston and 77 miles from Portland.