We would like to send a huge "THANK YOU!" to the City of Rockland and all its citizens for once again hosting the annual Maine Boat & Home Show during the second weekend of August. Thousands of people came to the show (and the city) from all over the state and New England, from all corners of the country, and even from other countries. We are grateful, as always, to everyone who helped to make it a success, and were thrilled to orchestrate the event, which was the 16th annual.

Approximately 175 exhibitors set the scene, including 60 boats in the water and 40 on land. There was sculpture on the grounds to accent the plentiful exhibits on land and in the tents. It was a tremendous display of the breadth and diversity of fine Maine-crafted products. Great crowds turned out and healthy sales were reported by vendors, from boats and fine furniture sold to jewelry commissioned and food consumed.

Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors is very pleased to acknowledge the support of major show sponsors Awlgrip/Interlux, Bangor Savings Bank, Epifanes, Journey's End Marina, LCI Fiber Optic Networks, Rock Harbor Brewing Co., and USHarbors.com.
As always, the support of the City of Rockland and the Rockland Department of Public Works is also very much appreciated, as is that of Gordon Page and the Rockland Main Street Program.

Many thanks to all the community and city organizations, individuals, and businesses that assisted with the show. This includes the Maine Lobster Festival and the North Atlantic Blues Festival, the Harbor Park and Buoy Park businesses such as the Pearl Restaurant, daysailer Morning in Maine, and Captain Jack's Lobsterboat Adventure that share the waterfront space, the Rockland Police Department and Harbormaster's office, and the Rockland Yacht Club. Shed City provided buildings to house the on-site show offices.

Members of the West Bay Rotary were our most-excellent gate ambassadors for the 15th year in a row. Trash pickup and recycling were adroitly handled by a team from the CHRHS Transition Life Skills program.

And we could go on! Countless individuals helped the show run smoothly, including our grounds crew and dozens of dedicated individual volunteers. The list is too long for us to mention everyone here, but please know that our gratitude is boundless. We couldn't do it without the whole team.

On the Icon Boat Dock, Sunbeam V from the Maine Sea Coast Mission, R/V Friendship from Maine Maritime Academy, the Friendship sloop Blackjack from the Sail Power and Steam Museum, and the lobster boat Claire Elizabeth were visited by many.

World Championship Boatyard Dog® Trials thanks go to sponsors Bell's Furry Friends Pet Photography, Loyal Biscuit, and new sponsor Water Bark Wellness. The judges' boat was from Maritime Boats, courtesy Bamforth Marine Brunswick. Thanks also to judges Heidi Neal, co-owner of Loyal Biscuit; Louise MacLellan Ruf, former Mayor of Rockland, and Kate Griffin, owner of Water Bark Wellness, and to our emcees Mike Joyce and Alan Sprague, of WERU-FM's radio show "Boat Talk." Congrats to the winner, Zola the Wonder Dog! And of course, a warm round of paws in applause is due the other teams of brave canine contestants and their handlers.

Our hearty appreciation also goes out to the 30-plus private boat owners who showed off their craft at the Small Boat Love-In, sponsored by US Harbors.com, with help from the Traditional Small Craft Association and the Maine Island Trail Association.
Last, but far from least, we'd like to thank ALL the community members and visitors who welcomed us, our exhibitors and their crews, and all the show attendees to Rockland. Many folks from afar make this event a destination each summer because they find such a warm welcome here.

We heard so many well-deserved compliments about Rockland, the midcoast, the show, and our wonderful community; we are honored and proud to live and work in this wonderful place.

We look forward to seeing you all around town this fall, and invite you to stop by our offices at 218 South Main Street to say hello, but not until early September when we'll be back from our much-needed rest!

All best wishes,

Gretchen Piston Ogden, Show Manager, and the entire Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors team

P.S. Next year's show dates: August 9-11, 2019.