When the day arrived, it showed up foggy and out of sorts. When it left, it left with a bright, colorful fireworks display and lots of satisfied attendees. Thus was the story of Windjammer Day’s 2010- a foggy, gray start, moving on towards a clear afternoon, and finishing with a clear evening. The tall ships, at least those that decided to come in and anchor in the harbor, were majestic, stately and seemed to be almost pulled from a past where these giant vessels were the prime mode of transport throughout the world. Though we live in an age where the quickest solution- especially when it comes to transport- is always the most sought after, it seems we hold in our hearts a fond remembrance for the conveyances of our past. You only have to look as far as the classic automobiles that dot summer roads to know that, sometimes, older is better. And these magnificent ships are no different. A Boothbay Harbor tradition for forty-eight summers, Windjammer Days bring in throngs of people, some whom probably remember the first one. Though the number of ships may have declined, and the streets may not have been as choked with people, the two days in 2010 were successful- everyone that left our hotel had a great time, shopping, eating and taking in the events. As always, if the weather had been better Wednesday morning, then we would have achieved perfection. However, no trip to Maine could possibly be complete without a touch a fog and a dash of rain.
The event, first held in 1963 in coinciding with the 200th anniversary of shipbuilding in the Boothbay Region, honors the past by letting these glorious ladies of the sea take center stage every summer. These two days have traditionally been viewed as the “official” kick-off to summer- followed up closely by the Fourth of July holiday; it has always been a busy couple of weeks to prepare hotel, restaurant and retail staffs for the work of the summer. Many hidden gems can be found during these two days, from a pancake breakfast to the craft fair on the Boothbay common- you always have to keep your eyes open, or you might just miss something. And I will tell you from experience, there is nothing quite like one of this massive ships heading towards you, dropping anchor, and skimming to a stop just a few yards in front of you. And the cannon- well, let’s just say that your truly was almost startled directly into ocean by the cannon fire, which signifies the ship has anchored. All and all, the tall ships are truly a beautiful display of living history.
The day is always capped off with a display of pyrotechnics. In many years, the weather, always the fickle mistress of the summer traveler; postponed the fireworks. The result when this happens is twice the fireworks on the Fourth of July. However, this year, despite the foggy/rainy start to the day, the fireworks went off as scheduled. Impressive to say the least, these fireworks were the longest that I could remember for Windjammer Days- at one point, they appeared to stop, only to commence again. The crowd, which had been drifting away from the pier, lurched back in surprise, awaiting the finale. Simple though they may be, fireworks have always had an allure, and are a great way to put a proverbial cherry on the top of the treat that is Windjammer Days in Boothbay Harbor. 
In summary, Windjammer Day’s in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, is certainly worth the trip. But I would suggest that, if you want to stay in the harbor, call and book early. Here at the Fisherman’s Wharf, we book up early with many guests that have been coming for years. With those rooms filled, it leaves us with a small collection of rooms for new guests. Why not start your own tradition today and book with us for Windjammer Days 2011? We are waiting for your call.
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