Photo courtesy of The Maine Lobster Festival.

As with previous years, this year’s Maine Lobster Festival Schedule is a five day celebration of the Maine lobster season, complete with daily lobster dinners, lobster crate races, a lobster cooking contest and the coronation of Maine’s annual ‘Sea Goddess.’  The world’s largest lobster fest takes place the first weekend in August each summer in the coastal town of Rockland, Maine. This year, lobster dinners start at $17 for a single, 1 -1/4 pound lobster and lobster rolls are being served for $14. Other lobster specialties – such as lobster mac and cheese, lobster bisque, lobster stuffed risotto balls and lobster won-tons – can also be enjoyed at the festival. Below are the highlights of the 2017 Maine Lobster Fest schedule.

The Maine Lobster Fest Schedule – 2017 Highlights

Wednesday, August 2nd

12:00 p.m. – Festival opens with the arrival of King Neptune and his court and the opening ceremonies. The vendors and carnival rides will all open and the lobster serving kicks off at this time .

8:00 – 10:00pm – The 70th Maine Sea Goddess Coronation will take place on the Main Stage.

Thursday, August 3rd

7:00 – 10:00 a.m. – All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast in the Food Tent, featuring Maine blueberry pancakes, juice, coffee and milk for the bargain price of $6 ($3 for children).

11:00 a.m. –  Lobster dinner serving begins at the Eating Tent. The lobster dinner includes fresh, steamed lobster, a dinner roll and corn on the cob.  The price of the 2017 Maine lobster festival lobster dinner is $17 for a single lobster, $33 for a twin lobster dinner and $31 for a Maine shore dinner (one lobster, steamed clams, corn on the cob and cole slaw).  Lobster rolls, lobster Caesar salad, lobster bisque, lobster risotto balls and lobster won-tons are also on offer.

4:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Local beer and wine tasting (Steins & Vines Tasting).

6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Hot air balloon rides at Snow Marine Park, Mechanic Street for $5 ($ per child).

7:30 p.m. – Circus-themed entertainment (cabaret, trapeze, acrobatics, etc) at the Main Stage.

8:00 – 10;00 p.m.  – Live music (country) at the North Entertainment Tent.

Friday, August 4th

7:00 – 10:00 a.m. – All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast in the Food Tent, featuring Maine blueberry pancakes, juice, coffee and milk for the bargain price of $6 ($3 for children).

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. – Hot Air Balloon Rides at Snow Marine Park, Mechanical Street.

9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. –  The Maine Lobster Festival Seafood Cooking Contest will take place in the North Entertainment Tent. This contest is for amateur chefs and the audience will have the opportunity to sample the prepared recipes in the cooking area and pick up the contestants’ recipes after the awards are presented.

11:00 a.m. – Lobster dinner serving begins at the Eating Tent. As per previous days, the lobster dinner includes fresh, steamed lobster, a dinner roll and corn on the cob. The price of the 2017 Maine lobster festival lobster dinner is $17 for a single lobster, $33 for a twin lobster dinner and $31 for a Maine shore dinner (one lobster, steamed clams, corn on the cob and cole slaw). Lobster rolls, lobster Caesar salad, lobster bisque, lobster risotto balls and lobster won-tons are also on offer.

There will be music and other entertainment throughout the day and a laser light show finale at 8:45 p.m. at the Main Stage.

Saturday, August 5th

7:00 – 10:00 a.m. – All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast in the Food Tent, featuring Maine blueberry pancakes, juice, coffee and milk for the bargain price of $6 ($3 for children).

10:00 a.m. – The Big Parade take place along Main Street.

11:00 a.m. – Lobster dinner serving begins at the Eating Tent. As per previous days, the lobster dinner includes fresh, steamed lobster, a dinner roll and corn on the cob. The price of the 2017 Maine lobster festival lobster dinner is $17 for a single lobster, $33 for a twin lobster dinner and $31 for a Maine shore dinner (one lobster, steamed clams, corn on the cob and cole slaw). Lobster rolls, lobster Caesar salad, lobster bisque, lobster risotto balls and lobster won-tons are also on offer.

There is a variety of live music throughout the afternoon as well as a pre-registration for the running race.

Sunday, August 7th

Sunday is family fun day, with free admission and lots of kids activities.

7:00 – 10:00 a.m. – All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast in the Food Tent, featuring Maine blueberry pancakes, juice, coffee and milk for the bargain price of $6 ($3 for children).

8:00 a.m. – 1 Mile kids fun run takes place near the main gate.

8:30 a.m. – 10K road race kicks off near the main gate.

10:00 a.m. – Children’s parade

11:00 a.m. – Lobster dinner serving begins at the Eating Tent. As per previous days, the lobster dinner includes fresh, steamed lobster, a dinner roll and corn on the cob. The price of the 2017 Maine lobster festival lobster dinner is $17 for a single lobster, $33 for a twin lobster dinner and $31 for a Maine shore dinner (one lobster, steamed clams, corn on the cob and cole slaw). Lobster rolls, lobster Caesar salad, lobster bisque, lobster risotto balls and lobster won-tons are also on offer.

11:30 a.m. – Children’s cod fish carry and lobster eating contest at the Main Stage.

1:30 p.m. – The lobster crate races kick off at Rockland Harbor.  The first races will be a showdown featuring First Responders and U.S. Coast Guard teams competing in a best of “50” crates, followed by public crate races (registration starts at 7am at the Information Tent).

5:00 p.m. – The wreath laying ceremony for fishermen lost at sea takes place at the public pier.

For information on other Maine seafood festivals, click here.