Coming out of a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Maine Lobster Festival’s executive committee had big plans for our 75th anniversary this past year—and now that we’ve seen the results, the Aug. 3-7, 2022 event surpassed even their wildest expectations.
Let’s recap:
Free Admission
For the first time in the Festival’s history since 1947, MLF opened to the public completely for free the summer of 2022. “Whether you come just 15 minutes or come for all five days, we want everybody to enjoy the celebration,” said Celia Knight, MLF President. This turned out to be a great idea because the Festival turned out a record attendance.
Lobster Served
If you’ve been following the news, you know the struggles that the Maine lobster industry has experienced these last two years. With the Festival on hold for 2020 and 2021, and mounting national issues threatening to shut down the industry, Maine lobstermen have never stopped working to provide for their families. Last year, we’re proud to say that 22,000 pounds of lobster were cooked and served at the Festival, providing a much-needed economic boost to the local lobstermen and the surrounding communities.
More Kid & Adult Fun
The Festival decided to switch up its traditional fair elements by offering more family-friendly elements such as splinter-free wooden playsets from Cedarworks, a petting zoo, bouncy houses, games of chance, and a larger tent for children’s activities. For the adults, beer and cider lovers got to experience Steins & Vines twice during the week, offering craft brews and home-crafted ciders from local purveyors. And if you wanted to sip on a cold one with a Maine lobster roll, now you could do that in the Beer & Wine Tent.
Donations to the Community
The Festival has very deep roots in Rockland and the Midcoast with a reputation of giving back. This past year, we were able to donate to some very deserving individuals and organizations. In 2022, MLF donated $6,750 to the following local organizations working to better our community: Coastal Children’s Museum, Knox County Gleaners, MCH Meals on Wheels, AIO Food & Energy Assistance, Pope Memorial Humane Society, Trekkers, Rockland District Nursing Association, Knox County Homeless Coalition, and Oceanside High School Project Graduation. In addition, we presented more than $3,000 in scholarships to two Medomak Valley High School seniors and two Oceanside High School seniors.
Honors Received
We are grateful to announce that Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce awarded Maine Lobster Festival with the 2022 Milestone Award in recognition of the Festival’s 75th anniversary. If you want to see a photo of that honor, check out our Instagram page.
A huge thank you goes out to all of our volunteers! This slideshow of the 2022 Festival and this 75 years of Festival history slideshow show our gratitude and appreciation.
Everything we’ve just mentioned will be available again this year at the 76th Annual Maine Lobster Festival Aug. 2-6, 2023 with free admission once again! Get the jump on your travel plans and book accommodations early. Visit mainelobsterfestival.com for more information.
