The Maine Lobster Festival has announced Paul E. Benjamin as the Artistic Director of the 2018 festival. The previous Artistic Director, Chuck Kruger, served with the Maine Lobster Festival for 32 years. Kruger played an instrumental role at the Festival in entertainment, publicity and advertising, as a Director and also President. At Kruger’s retirement, the Festival approached Benjamin who agreed to sign on.
“I believe I can bring experience, contacts and ideas to the Maine Lobster Festival. We are going to wow people,” shared Benjamin, who has already begun pulling together acts and planning for the event which takes place August 1-5, 2018 at Harbor Park in Rockland.
Paul E. Benjamin began booking entertainment in 1978. While he is a lover of all music, Blues is his passion. Currently, he works on about 50 shows a year with national touring Blues acts.
In 1990 he began the North Atlantic Blues Festival in a Rockland parking lot with 50 people in attendance. Today, the festival has over 16,000 attendees. In 1999, Benjamin launched North Atlantic Blues Records, and produced records for a number of artists.
Benjamin has held several positions on the board of directors for the Blues Foundation, including President and Chairman of the board. In 2013 he was appointed by the Governor to the Maine Arts Commission, where he still serves.
In addition to working with the Maine Lobster Festival in 2018, Benjamin will produce the following festivals: Suncoast Blues Festival, Western Maryland Blues Festival, North Atlantic Blues Festival, Gloucester Blues Festival, Camping With The Blues, and Bradenton Blue Festival.
Entertainment for the 71st Maine Lobster Festival will shift from national bands to Maine based bands. There will no longer be a separate charge for entertainment tickets, and seating will be first come first serve. The main stage is now being referred to as the “Maine” stage. Bands wishing to participate should email their interest and details to [email protected].
“The Maine Lobster Festival featuring Maine Entertainment will be a fresh new look for the 2018 festival. Maine has a number of great entertainers throughout the state and I am looking forward to showcasing these artists on the Maine Stage. Entertainment will come free with your admission, making it affordable and accessible. We are looking at all styles of entertainers which we hope will bring new people to the festival and to the Midcoast.” Says Benjamin.
About the Maine Lobster Festival
Five days of fun and feasting on the fabulous coast of Maine to celebrate the lobster industry. This year will be the 71st anniversary of the festival, and it will be held August 1-5, 2018. The Maine Lobster Festival attracts thousands of people to Maine’s Midcoast region and has a long tradition of giving back to the local community. For more information about the Maine Lobster Festival, visit our website at www.mainelobsterfestival.com and be sure to “like” us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter at @MELobsterFest.
