Every year, the anticipation is high. Some lucky young woman will be crowned the Maine Sea Goddess at the Maine Lobster Festival – a tremendous honor with special duties for which 20 local high school graduates will compete this summer.
The role of the Maine Sea Goddess is not just for show. Judges look for a young woman who can “display integrity, intellect, elegance, independence and individuality.” They also value a candidate who has hobbies and volunteer experience.
Of course, there are glamorous aspects to the job. The Maine Sea Goddess gets to arrive by boat with King Neptune and his Court and Black Beard in Rockland, Maine to officially open the Maine Lobster Festival.
Beyond receiving a $2,000 cash award, the winner also gets to enjoy hair and makeup services donated by a local salon, delicious meals at local restaurants and a beautiful gown. And with great pageantry, the current 2019 Maine Sea Goddess Makaila Hickey will be passing her crown to the 2020 Sea Goddess in the annual Coronation on Wednesday, July 29. There, the new Sea Goddess will be surrounded by her fellow Sea Princesses, along with an escort. The press and dozens of onlookers will also be on hand to watch her cross the stage.
But being a Sea Goddess is much more than pageantry. As mentioned, the Coronation Committee looks for a young lady who will be comfortable in the spotlight and who can easily represent the Maine lobster fishing industry at events in Maine and across New England throughout her one-year reign. They also look for contestants who are “strong, independent and resilient” and love the idea of being a Midcoast ambassador. See what it was like for 2018 Maine Sea Goddess Erin Dugan.
To be considered, the Sea Goddess candidate must be comfortable asking individuals and companies to sponsor her for the coronation, as the entrance fee for the competition is $500 and needs to come from the sponsor. (Luckily, many local businesses are honored to associate with MLF and in return will be advertised through Festival materials, in the official program, local newspapers, on your car in the parades, as well as mentioned during functions.)
Next, there are three important documents to consider: the Guidelines, the Checklist and finally the Application. Each applicant must be a single young lady, high school (or equivalent GED) graduate, 21 years of age or younger, and a Maine resident. You need two color headshots of you, a letter of recommendation, a short video clip, and a thoughtful essay (no more than 500 words) to complete your application package. (See our tips from last year).
Find more information on last year’s Maine Sea Goddess Coronation and more details about the Application here. The application deadline is March 31, 2020.
