The Maine Lobster Festival is pleased to announce the six contestants who will compete for the title of 2026 Maine Lobster Festival Delegate at the 79th Maine Lobster Festival.
At the Delegate Banquet, Wednesday, July 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the Samoset Resort, participants will each have a turn to present to the panel of judges about who they are, why they are participating, and discuss the local charity their participation is supporting. This event is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased for $50 and include a full meal. There will be a cash bar.
The Delegate Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, July 29, at 6:30 p.m. on the main stage on the Festival grounds at Harbor Park in Rockland, Maine. Also crowned will be a Runner-Up and Most Congenial.
Ashlyn Ward of Warren
Ashlyn Ward is from Rockland and is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Maine at Augusta. With a strong desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others, Ashlyn hopes to build a career as a probation officer.
Outside of her studies, Ashlyn enjoys spending time outdoors whenever she can. Whether she is walking her dog, hiking, fishing, or snowboarding, she appreciates staying active and making the most of Maine’s natural beauty. She also hopes to travel the world and experience new places.
Ashlyn is excited for the opportunity to grow, connect with her community, and represent the values of service, dedication, and pride in Maine.
Felicity Griffin of Warren
Felicity Griffin is a recent graduate of Medomak Valley High School and is proud to call Warren, Maine, her hometown. In the fall, Felicity will attend Husson University, where she plans to study nursing.
Helping others has always been an important part of Felicity’s life. She loves finding ways to brighten someone’s day, lend a helping hand, and make a positive difference in the lives of those around her. Cheerleading has also played a meaningful role in shaping who she is, teaching her teamwork, leadership, dedication, and confidence.
Outside of school and work, Felicity enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and boyfriend, going to the gym, and relaxing at the beach. Her long-term goal is to become a nurse specializing in pediatrics or aesthetic nursing.
As she begins this next chapter, Felicity looks forward to continuing to grow, give back to her community, and represent the values that matter most to her.
Kaia Flaherty of Warren
Kaia Flaherty is a recent graduate of Medomak Valley High School. Throughout her time in school, Kaia enjoyed staying active through volleyball and tennis, and she brings creativity and personality to everything she does, including her love for bedazzling anything she can get her hands on.
In the fall, Kaia plans to attend the University of Maine in Orono, where she will study nursing. Her long-term goal is to become a pediatric nurse, with hopes of specializing in cardiology.
Kaia is excited for this next chapter and looks forward to continuing to learn, grow, and give back while representing her community with pride.
Kylli Gronros of Rockport
Kylli Gronros lives in Rockport and will be entering her senior year at Camden Hills Regional High School. A dedicated musician, Kylli spends much of her time performing with honors choirs and band ensembles, where she plays the trumpet.
Kylli also has strong ties to Maine’s seafood industry through her family’s business, Graffam Brothers Seafood Market, where she has worked during past summers. This summer, she is expanding her experience through a hospitality-focused internship at the Samoset Resort.
One of Kylli’s greatest goals is to travel the world, immerse herself in different cultures, and connect with people and experiences beyond her own community. She is excited for the opportunity to represent Rockport, celebrate her Maine roots, and continue growing as a student, musician, and community member.
Lindsey Clifford of Rockport
Lindsey Clifford is a 2025 graduate of Camden Hills Regional High School and is from Rockport, Maine. She is now studying acting at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she is continuing to pursue her passion for performance and storytelling. In school, she enjoys directing and performing in her local Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast, as well as acting in student films.
Lindsey has strong family ties to Maine’s lobstering industry. Her grandfather has been lobstering in Boothbay Harbor for 70 years, and her family owns Claws, where Lindsey works as a cashier. She also runs her own business selling painted lobster buoys both in-store and online, blending her creativity with her connection to Maine’s coastal traditions.
Lindsey is thrilled to participate in the Maine Lobster Festival Delegate Competition and looks forward to connecting with her community, supporting Maine’s lobstering heritage, and celebrating everything Maine has to offer.
Madeline Whytock of Rockland
Madeline Whytock is proud to call Rockland, Maine, her hometown. After graduating from Oceanside High School in 2022, Madeline earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Husson University in 2025 and now serves as an Emergency Department nurse at MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital.
Caring for others has strengthened Madeline’s passion for service and deepened her appreciation for the community that helped shape her. Through her work in nursing, she is able to support people during some of their most vulnerable moments, while continuing to give back in a meaningful way.
Outside of nursing, Madeline enjoys traveling, exploring new places, embracing new experiences, and spending time along Maine’s beautiful coastline.
Madeline is grateful for the opportunities her community has given her and is excited to continue representing Rockland with pride while honoring the spirit of service, connection, and coastal tradition.
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.
