Real people... Real places... Real relaxation...The Real Maine™
If you're looking for the authentic Maine experience, this is it. Come visit the Maine Discovery Coast™ and incomparable Penobscot Bay, perhaps the most scenic body of water on the eastern seaboard. First explored by English sea captain George Waymouth in 1605, Penobscot Bay features scores of islands, dozens of historic lighthouses, and hundreds of quiet little protected harbors. It's the only place on the east coast where coastal mountains meet the sea. Ospreys and bald eagles nest high in the spruces along the rugged shores, puffins once again make the islands their home, and harbor seals complete their annual pilgrimage to quiet coves.
It's the Real Maine. Quintessential Maine communities await you. In historic Rockland, the retail center of Midcoast Maine, you'll find ferry service to the islands, dozens of specialty stores, more than 25 outstanding restaurants, beautiful art galleries, the Farnsworth Art Museum, and the new Maine Lighthouse Museum located in the Maine Discovery Center, the region's beautiful new visitor center. Rockland is known for its spectacular waterfront summer festivals—the Maine Lobster Festival, the North Atlantic Blues Festival, and the Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Show. After fifty years' absence, Maine Eastern Railroad has restored rail service and rebuilt historic Union Station.
Camden, the Jewel of the Maine coast, has one of America's most scenic waterfront downtowns with outstanding boutique shopping, high-end dining and beautiful views of Penobscot Bay from atop Mt. Battie. The late Charles Kuralt once said that Rockport had the prettiest harbor in America—we think you'll agree. In the village, be sure to discover the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. Lincolnville offers the best of both worlds, lush green mountains with clear ponds or lakes as well as a rugged coastline punctuated by a small sandy beach.
Thomaston, with its antique shops and 19th century downtown, is one of New England's most historic seafaring towns and once the home of Revolutionary War hero General Henry Knox, George Washington's first Secretary of War. A truly unique shopping experience there is the Maine State Prison Showroom, with handcrafted wood products made by inmates working in the prison workshop.
The St. George peninsula (Rt. 131) features breathtaking coastal views and sedate tidal marshes. This is Wyeth country, summer home of America's most famous family of artists. You won't want to miss the tiny authentic New England villages of St. George, Tenants Harbor, and Port Clyde (and be sure to stop at the Marshall Point Lighthouse & Museum and Monhegan Boat Line). On your way down the peninsula be sure to take in the Owls Head Transportation Museum, adjacent to Knox County Airport on Rt. 73, and the Owls Head Light, with stunning views of Penobscot Bay.
Situated on its own peninsula southwest of Thomaston, Cushing is famous for its saltwater farms. Located west of Cushing on the same peninsula, Friendship is the birthplace of the distinctive Friendship Sloop and is predominantly a fishing village whose major industry is lobstering and associated enterprises. Waldoboro, located about 18 miles south of Rockland, was once host to shipyards which launched fleets of schooners in the great age of sail; a well-preserved village reflects that early prosperity.
Inland, discover Union's quaint town square that predates the Revolution, and try the blueberry pie at the annual Union Fair. Stretched between Waldoboro and Thomaston, Warren is a farming and rural community.
Up east, Belfast is known for its historic red brick downtown and vibrant arts scene; the view down Main Street to the Passagassawakeag River is more than memorable. The Belfast area is rich in history dating back more than 200 years. Searsport (located north of Belfast on U.S. Rt. 1) is the home of the Penobscot Marine Museum and historic seafarer homes, now stately bed and breakfasts.
This is the Lobster Capital of the World and the home to the country's largest windjammer fleet. We invite you to visit the Maine Discovery Coast™ and experience The Real Maine.
Upcoming Events...
 Chamber Auction
Live Auction on Friday, October 15; Online Auction from September 20-October 11
Online Bidding Opens on September 20, with Live Auction on October 15. We are excited to announce our online and live auction event for 2010. On September 20th at 8am, the “doors” will open to our auction, which will take place on the Internet at www.BiddingforGood.com/PBRCCAuction. The featured item this year is a FISHER HT Plow from Fisher Engineering, valued at $5240! The FISHER HT Series snowplow is engineered for today's half-ton trucks, providing all the features you expect from FISHER in a standard-duty snowplow. The HT Series feature's FISHER'S Minute Mount 2 On/Off system, INTENSIFIREHalogen headlamps and the original FISHER trip edge design. Based in Rockland, Maine, dedication to quality and service has been a FISHER tradition for more than 60 years. Through the years their plows have earned a solid reputation for reliability and strength - among residential and commercial plowers. Thank you to our current sponsors: Fisher Engineering, Gamage Antiques, Global Packing & Shipping, Bangor Metro/Maine Ahead, The Free Press and VillageSoup/The Herald Gazette. Thank you to our special $250 cash raffle prize donor: Steve & Edie Bryant - Needful Things & Services. Thank you to our $100 cash raffle prize donors: James W. Brannan, Bruce Gamage - Gamage Antiques, Rolf Winters - Knowlton Moving & Storage Corp., Steve Hale - Captain Jack Lobster Boat Adventure and Mike Jones - Camden National Bank. The online auction bidding will run from September 20 at 8am through October 11 at 9pm, with about 80 items heading to a live auction on Friday, October 15 at the Rockland Elks Lodge, located at 210 Rankin Street in Rockland. There will be live auction items, $100 cash raffle prizes, raffle items, cash bar and a concession stand. Bruce Gamage will be our auctioneer. . Items up for bid will include business services, artwork, unique experiences, travel, lodging packages, dining, recreational activities, gift baskets, train rides, boat trips, festival tickets, landscaping supplies and much, much more. Donations are being accepted from now through September – simply log on to the site and click on the “Donate Now” button or you can call Shari Closter at the Chamber with your donation at 596-0376, ext. 22 or shari@therealmaine.com.
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Union Fair & State of Maine Wild Blueberry Festival
August 22-28
Union Fairgrounds (off Route 17), Union. Classic, rural fair, one of the oldest in Maine, celebrating all aspects of agriculture, including a wild blueberry festival. Events include harness racing, old fashioned pig scramble, wild blueberry pie baking and eating contests, horse, oxen, and tractor pulls, fireworks, sheep shearing contest, 4-H exhibits, carnival, entertainment and more. Crowning of the State of Maine Wild Blueberry Queen. Location: Union Fairgrounds, Union. For more information, please call 207-785-3281. |
 Camden Windjammer Festival
September 3-5, 2010
Thousands of people are expected to experience the schooners, music and maritime artisans participating in Camden Windjammer Festival 2010. More than a dozen schooners will sail into one of the country's most-scenic harbors this Labor Day Weekend as the centerpiece of Camden Windjammer Festival 2010 - a celebration of the area's maritime heritage and Maine's sea-faring culture. The arrival of the schooners will be capped with a crew and passenger talent show and fireworks over Camden harbor at 9pm on Friday, September 3rd. Some of Maine's best-known musicians will perform at concerts that people can attend for free, and artisans will ply their trades at a Maritime Heritage Fair. These tradespeople include boat builders, blacksmiths, coopers, sail makers, blacksmiths and fishermen. Performers will stage a "pirate attack" on the town. The schooners will host open houses, where visitors will be able to tour the schooners at no cost and learn about the tradition these windjammers represent. On shore, the Heritage Fair also will offer free educational and fun activities to visitors. Contemporary Maine culture also will be on display, with free activities such as the performance of Maine's premier rock band, Paranoid Social Club, on Saturday evening, and a closing performance Sunday by legendary Maine folk artist Gordon Bok. Most events are free for those who attend. More information about the festival and the Camden's maritime heritage is available online at www.camdenwindjammerfestival.com.
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