The 59th Annual Windjammer Days Festival in Boothbay Harbor, ME is coming up from June 27 to July 3, and Bristol Marine at The Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor would like to invite FSS members to join us. There are many wonderful events happening in and around the harbor during this week-long event. For a full listing, visit the Windjammer Days website at:

The Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor would like to offer dock space or a mooring at no charge to all FSS members arriving by boat. For more information, contact Ross Branch at (207) 633-3171 or ross@bristolmarine.com.

The Schooner Ernestina Morrissey is in its final phase of construction at the Shipyard. On Wednesday, June 30, the Shipyard will be hosting a reception, in which all schooner and Friendship sloop captains and crew are welcome, giving people an opportunity to take one more look at the Gloucester fishing schooner before she heads to Massachusetts Maritime Academy to train cadets.

On July 1 at 3:00 pm an antique boat parade will take place in the harbor. Any vessel older than 25 years may participate. The boats are arranged from oldest to newest and pass by all the local hotels and restaurants as they motor through the inner harbor. The organizers of Windjammer Days are hoping there might be enough Friendship sloops joining the parade to have our own group. There will be a reception for participants afterwards at the Oceanside Golf Resort.

The first Boothbay Classics Race of the season will take place on Saturday, July 3. This race includes any boat whose design is older than 25 years and Friendship sloops are encouraged to participate. This race is a two part series with the second race scheduled for August 14. Participation in both races is not required.

It would be great if we could get several sloops to race on July 3. If we field enough boats, the Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor would be happy to organize a catered event after the race, to be held on the pier of the Shipyard.

In addition to reaching out to Ross Branch directly for mooring and/or dockage information, we'd like to get an idea of how many members may be interested in attending the Ernestina Morrissey reception on 6/30, Windjammer Days Antique Boat Parade on 7/1, the reception at the Oceanside Golf Resort on 7/1, and the Boothbay Classics races on 7/3 and 8/14. If you are interested in attending any of the scheduled events, please send an email to PUBLICITY@FSS.ORG regarding your interest in these events, it would be a great help for us in planning.