Maine Lobster Festival Children’s Events

There are fun events for kids of all ages at the Maine Lobster Festival! All children’s events take place on Sunday, August 4, 2024.

The 2024 Children’s Parade theme is TBD, and the Maine Lobster Festival encourages creative interpretations. The board of directors, members and volunteers want to recognize all the student athletes who worked so hard to have winning seasons. We look forward to celebrating them in our parade!

Children’s Parade – 10 a.m.

Children dress up according to the festival theme and parade through the festival grounds for a chance to win awesome prizes. We’ve had mermaids, pirates, and even a robot lobster! Registration for this event is at 9 a.m. at the far end of the Eating Tent.

Cod Fish Carry – 11:30 a.m.

One of the smellier (but still fun) events, the Cod Fish Carry, is a contest of speed. Participants run across the Maine Stage to a skiff, where they must put on fisherman’s foul-weather gear, including a Sou’wester (yellow fisherman’s hat), big rain jacket, and rubber boots as quickly as possible. After they are dressed, they must run over to a net containing a slippery, 12-pound cod, pick it up, and carry it back to the skiff. The person who does all of these things the quickest wins! This event is for children entering 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade.

Lobster Eating Contest – 12:00 p.m.

Lots of adults wish that they could participate in the Lobster Eating Contest. Sadly, this is a kids-only event. The rules are simple—the first person to finish eating a 1 1/4 lb. steamed lobster wins. Participants must finish two claws, two knuckles, and the tail to be considered done. The contest takes place on the Maine Stage. This event is for children age 8-11.

Little Lobster Diaper Derby – 12:30 p.m.

Possibly the cutest event on Family Fun Day, the Little Lobster Diaper Derby is a crawling race for our youngest festival-goers. Parent coaches sit on each side of the Maine Stage, cheering them on, coaxing them toward the finish line using a range of creative methods, and ensuring that they stay on course. The first Little Lobster to finish wins! This event is for crawlers only, walkers will be disqualified.