Maine has the freshest seafood and farm-raised proteins and produce around. It’s why tens of thousands of people visit this state every summer to embark on a culinary journey. There is something for every palate at the Maine Lobster Festival this year.
Lobster, Chowder and Cobbler, Oh My!
Let’s start with why everyone comes here — lobster! All of MLF’s lobster is fresh off the dock, caught by local lobstermen whom the Festival has been working with for years. The Eating Tent is where the magic happens, as you sit down to a traditional lobster meal cooked in the World’s Largest Lobster Cooker, served with corn on the cob (fresh native corn from Country Fair Farms). The Shore Dinner comes with homemade clam chowder and coleslaw.
Seafood chowders are unparalleled here and you can choose between fish, seafood, and New England Clam Chowder. We also have delectable lobster mac and cheese, lobster bisque, and fresh steamed Maine mussels and clams.
But that’s not all, lobster lovers. We also have a Lobster Café where you can dive into the famed lobster roll, lobster Caesar wrap or lobster Caesar salad —plus, drinks and delicious desserts such as homemade Maine blueberry cobbler or strawberry shortcake.
All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast
In the mornings, you can’t get a better deal than our all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast (choice of Maine blueberry or plain pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk or orange juice) for just $8 per adult and $4 per child.
Fair Food
Beyond that, the Festival hosts a variety of vendors and food trucks if you’re craving classic fair food or something other than seafood.
Libations
The Festival really has it all with its annual Steins and Vines tasting event. The breweries, vineyards — and new this year: cideries — have such unique and distinctive flavors based on all of the native and seasonal ingredients abundant to this state, from our hops to our wild blueberries. View our latest blog to see which purveyors will be offering samples. In addition to four sessions of Steins & Vines over two days, we also have a beer tent where Tap Truck 207 will be serving beer and wine all day throughout the Festival.
Seafood Cooking Contest
Food is joy, and our annual Seafood Cooking Contest is where you’ll see the most joy and pride in the amateur contestants’ recipes. The recipes can be any dish, but must be made from seafood found in Maine waters. It’s better than watching your favorite cooking competition on TV because it’s live and you get to taste samples! The contest begins at 9 a.m., Friday, August 4, 2023 in the North Entertainment Tent on the festival grounds. Judging begins at 11:30 a.m., with prizes announced and awarded around 12:30 p.m. (You even get to pick up the contestants’ recipes after the awards are presented!) First prize is $200, second prize is $175, and third prize is $150. If you’re interested in participating, make sure you apply by July 15.
Get your appetites ready for the Maine Lobster Festival (August 2-6, 2023) with FREE admission once again. Come to enjoy the day or be one of our rock star volunteers by visiting mainelobsterfestival.com.
