Preparations are underway for a day-long festival this summer to celebrate Maine’s lobstering heritage. “Music, Masts, and Lobster Traps” will be held on Sunday, Aug. 27 at Maine Maritime Museum in Bath and culminate in a late afternoon performance by Maine’s own The Mallett Brothers Band. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Maine Lobstermen’s Community Alliance (MLCA) which, with support from the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA), is working to ensure a vibrant future for Maine’s fishing families and the communities in which they live and work.

“Maine and lobster go hand in hand, which is why it’s almost unbelievable to think there could come a day when Maine’s iconic lobster industry is forced out of business,” said volunteer event organizer, Jesse Roche, a commercial fisherman from Bath. “Our way of life is at risk, and I want people to see that we all need to work together to protect it and we need to celebrate this industry that makes Maine such a special state.”

“We’re delighted to be working with Jesse, the Maine Maritime Museum, and the team of volunteers who will bring “Music, Masts, and Lobster Traps” to life,” said Amber-Jean Nickel, president of the MLCA and chief operating officer of the MLA. “We spend a lot of time and effort highlighting how flawed federal regulations continue to pose a threat to the future of Maine’s lobster industry, but this event is different – we want people to come, learn more about the industry and its importance to the state, and to celebrate a unique fishery that is at the heart of so many of our coastal communities.”

The event will be held on the grounds of the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath on Sunday, Aug. 27 starting at 9:30 a.m. and dayside activities are open to anyone with paid admission to the museum (Members of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association with proof of current membership receive free admission to the dayside activities.)

Demonstrations and educational exhibits highlighting Maine’s working waterfront heritage will include a lobster education center, a trap building demonstration, aquaculture demonstration, pogie seining exhibit, emergency survival raft and gear demonstration, Abenaki tribe drum circle and history exhibit, lobster boat, schooner, tour cruises and more! Food and drink from Longreach Kitchen and Highroller Lobster Company will be available starting at noon.

At 3 p.m., gates to the concert event will open! Tickets to the concert are $30 and are sold separately. Maine folk artist Paddy Mills will take to the stage at 3:30 prior to the headline act, The Mallett Brothers Band. Guests with tickets to the concert event will also have access to a beer garden hosted by Mast Landing Brewery, XTRATUF, and Rugged Seas where a new, special brew honoring our maritime heritage will be unveiled. In addition, Mere Point Oyster Company will be shucking flavorful Maine oysters.

Tickets to the concert event can be purchased online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-masts-lobster-traps-a-celebration-of-maines-lobstering-heritage-tickets-617706766567

To date, the event has received financial support from First National Bank, XTRATUF, Pine State Trading, Brooks Trap Mill, Guy Cotten, and First Federal Savings. Additional sponsorship is available and welcome. Contact: Jesse Roche at 860-625-2532 or jesseroche1975@yahoo.com

Special raffles and a silent auction featuring prizes donated by supportive businesses will also be held.

All proceeds will benefit the Maine Lobstermen’s Community Alliance (MLCA) which, in partnership with the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, is working to protect Maine’s lobstering heritage. The MLCA is a 501c3 non-profit organization and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law.

FMI: https://mlcalliance.org/events/music-masts-lobster-traps/