We had plenty of sunshine and happy visitors at the 72nd Maine Lobster Festival this year. More than 55,000 people from all over the U.S. (and outside the country) came to Rockland, Maine, for the event. Beyond the 19,400 pounds of lobster that attendees gobbled up during the five-day festival, here are some other things we’re proud of:

Our Volunteers

We owe the exceptional quality of the Festival to our local volunteers! Approximately 1,300 volunteers made the event go like clockwork from the morning shift Pancake Breakfast Crew to the Stage Crew to the Lobster Cooker Crew and more. Learn how to get involved next year.

Big Parade

The Big Parade through downtown Rockland is the kind of small town “bucket list” event that people line the streets to see. Floats, marching bands, and the Maine Sea Goddess and her court all took part in the show. Participants said their three favorite floats were our giant mascot lobster “Rocky,” the veterans’ floats, and Miss World America’s float.

Winner of the Seafood Cooking Contest

Congratulations to Sue Jobes! Her delicious recipe for Lobster and Scallop Corn Chowder was the winner of the Seafood Cooking Contest at the 2019 Maine Lobster Festival. Want to give it a try? Here’s the recipe.

Winner of the Great International Lobster Crate Races

The local paper got some great photos and video of one of the Maine Lobster Festival’s more popular events, where contestants must run across lobster crates strung together – without falling into the water. Congratulations to Sean Griffith, 11, of Fairfax Station, Virginia, who crossed 2,965 crates. Read more.

Live Entertainment & Steins and Vines

Once again “keeping it local,” this year’s festival featured all Maine-based artists and bands ranging from folk, country, rock, and alternative to ukulele, steel drums, and Memphis soul. According to folks who caught all the live music, Nikki Hunt Band and Hello Newman were some of the crowd’s favorites. And those who enjoyed our Steins & Vines tasting event got to sample the delicious Maine-made brews, wines and spirits of nine local purveyors. Want to go next year? Here’s a list of what you may be sampling.

The Crowning of the Maine Sea Goddess

The coronation of the Maine Sea Goddess takes place on the opening night of the festival, a highly exciting time for local families and spectators. Out of the 11 outstanding young women in the Midcoast competing for the title of the 2019 Maine Sea Goddess, Makaila Hickey of Rockland was crowned 2019 Maine Sea Goddess July 31 in ceremonies at the 72nd Maine Lobster Festival. Read more about Makaila.

MLF President Celia Knight said she is catching her breath after the close of the 2019 Maine Lobster Festival. “I am bursting with pride and thanks to all of our volunteers, Board members, friends, businesses and sponsors that helped make it a huge success. We are on to 2020, and we hope to see your smiling face there.”