4 months ago
ROCKLAND (NEWS CENTER) -- For this year's Maine Lobster festival in Rockland, you might say it's "Anchors Away". For the first time in more than 30 years, there will not be a U.S. Navy warship in the harbor for the festival. Senator Olympia Snowe's office told festival organizers and the city earlier this week that the Navy turned down the request to send a ship to Rockland. A letter from the Navy says the decision was made on the basis of operational demands and budget restrictions. Festival President Tammy Kolmosly says they are disappointed, but are also very grateful to have had the Navy for so many years. They're hoping a ship can come next year. More disappointed are the hundreds of veterans at the Rockland American legion Post. Commander Bill Lawry says the Legion hosts the Navy sailors every year, organizing a cookout, a dance, horseshoe tournament and more. He says it's the biggest event of the year for the legion, and a chance for legion members to share experiences with today's men and women in uniform. Its also an important fund-raising opportunity for the Legion's charity projects. So with no navy ship, both the Legion and the Lobster festival plan to focus more attention on the U.S.Coast guard. They say Coast guardsmen will escort all of the contestants in this year's Maine Sea Goddess competition - a task normally shared with the Navy. They will also promote tours of Coast guard ships and the Rockland Coast Guard base. And the Coast guard is bringing its own big ship -the tall ship "Eagle " -into Rockland just a few days before the festival, which is expected to attract a lot of visitors as well. You can find a lot more information about the Eagle's visit and the Maine Lobster festival at the following links: http://www.mainelobsterfestival.com http://www.mainelighthousemuseum.com
NEWS CENTER
