As winter settles over Midcoast Maine, the Maine Lobster Festival community is preparing for a long-awaited homecoming. The iconic Neptune Monument, originally sculpted at the Festival from 2005 to 2015, is one step closer to returning in permanent bronze form.
These original clay sculptures, created by artist Richard Johnson and enjoyed by thousands of festival visitors over the years, are finally being cast into lasting public art. Thanks to the skill and support of New England Castings in Standish, Maine, the first major milestone is now complete.
Phase 1: Neptune Cast in Bronze
Phase 1 of the project has officially wrapped up with the successful casting of the Neptune figure in bronze. The finished sculpture is currently on display at First National Bank in Rockland, ME for the holiday season. In January, it will return to New England Castings, where the remaining bronze sections will be welded together.
Maine suffered multiple damaging storms during the 2023-24 winter season, including a fourth 100-year storm in early March. It wasn’t only piers, wharves, boats, and shoreline that took a hit. Johnson’s original sculpture was devastated by the storm surge as well.
But resilience is part of Maine’s spirit. And Johnson, supported by the community, refused to let Neptune fall. He restarted the recasting process, rebuilding the King’s head in wax and preparing it for the many-layered ceramic shell needed for bronze work. Every donation and every share helped bring Neptune back to life.
Phase 2: The Mermaid Restoration Begins
With Neptune complete, the focus now shifts to Phase 2. The goal for 2026 is to cast the seated mermaid figure that appears to Neptune’s right. Sculpted in 2007, she has long been part of the original monument and will require $25,000 to cast in bronze.
Once the mermaid is funded and completed, the team will move on to the final mermaid sculpture in 2027, completing the trio that festival goers have loved for more than a decade.
A Permanent Home on Rockland Harbor
When all phases are complete, the full Neptune Monument is planned for installation on Rockland Harbor. The hope is for it to become a permanent feature of Buoy Park, where families, visitors, and festival fans can continue taking photos with Neptune for generations to come.
The monument has deep meaning for the community. It was officially donated to the Maine Lobster Festival in 2022 in memory of longtime volunteer Alice Crie Knight and dedicated to the many volunteers who give their time each year to make the event happen.
How You Can Help
Fundraising efforts for 2026 are currently in development, and community support will make the next phase possible. If you’d like to help bring the mermaid sculpture to life or support the project in any way, please reach out to us.
Neptune has weathered storms, setbacks, and time itself. With your help, he will once again reign over Rockland Harbor as a symbol of Maine’s resilience, artistry, and community spirit.
Donation checks may be sent to:
Neptune Returns Fund
C/o Richard Johnson
53 Lake Ave
Rockland, Me 04841
About the Maine Lobster Festival
Five days of fun and feasting on the fabulous coast of Maine, the Maine Lobster Festival attracts thousands of people to the Midcoast region and has a long tradition of giving back to the local community. The 2026 Festival will be held July 29-Aug. 2 and will celebrate its 79th anniversary. Once again, admission will be free. For more information about the Maine Lobster Festival, visit the website at www.mainelobsterfestival.com, “like” it on Facebook, follow it on X (formerly Twitter) at @MELobsterFest, and on Instagram at @mainelobsterfest.
