Authors, makers, and science labs of Maine Lobster Festival

ROCKLAND—The seventy fifth Maine Lobster Competition is underway and there may be a lot to see and do that 12 months. Culturally, the Competition is protecting all bases with reside music all day and evening, an Arts and Crafts and Market Tent, cooking demonstrations within the North Leisure Tent, a Maine Heritage Tent, and even a Pirate Tavern. With no admission cost, it’s value testing the entire tents this weekend.

I occurred to be in The Marine Expertise Tent on Friday together with different exhibitors starting from Maine authors and artists to a Lobster Contact Tank.

Writer Ali Farell has illuminated the lobstering life in her fiction and nonfiction books.

“I’ve met so many good folks this week, so many individuals who’ve by no means even seen the ocean earlier than,” she mentioned.

Native lobsterman legend Virginia Oliver, a.okay.a. “The Lobster Woman” is 102 years outdated and nonetheless lobster fishing. Oliver is likely one of the topics featured in Farrell’s e-book Fairly Rugged about feminine lobstermen.

“She’s a celeb,” mentioned Farrell. “Everybody has seen her on TV and thinks she’s superb—and he or she is!”

C. L. Alden, one other native writer, had posters of her books on show.

“Most of my books are impressed by the Midcoast space, so a number of the locations within the books will probably be recognizable,” she mentioned. “Some names have been modified, however for instance, in my e-book Empire is definitely The Strand Theatre.”

Alden, who has been to the Maine Lobster Competition for 4 years seen a much bigger crowd this 12 months.

“The group seems nice,” she mentioned.” I really feel there are lots of people from away this 12 months and all people will get enthusiastic about Maine tales. They see these quaint, New England cities, one thing they don’t see at dwelling.”

Kathy Putzulu is the creator of With The Grain Woodworks, that includes scroll-sawed paintings with a lobster piece completely match right into a cut-out of the state of Maine form.

Cynthia Dean, co-creator of “Paint It Shoreself Ceramics” had nautical and lobster-themed ceramics at her desk, which could be hand-painted.

Two authors, Claire Ackroyd and Robert W. Spencer, representing the hybrid publishing firm, Maine Authors Publishing, have been manning a desk with practically 50 books from Maine authors on show.

Ackroyd, writer Homicide within the Maple Woods, mentioned of her e-book, “It’s fiction, however the setting is actual, providing you with an genuine view of the processing of maple syrup manufacturing.”

In the back of the tent, MLF volunteer Aiden Willis, 13, answerable for The Lobster Contact Tank, recognized varied regionally caught sea creatures within the tank holding them as much as curious guests, together with reside Maine lobsters, starfish, sea cucumbers, scallops, and crabs.

“I grew up on the water, so I’ve no downside touching any of those,” he mentioned of the creatures. “I get to really feel like an skilled for the day.”

Be aware: varied authors and makers appeared within the Maine Leisure Tent all week and never everybody was profiled on this story.

The Maine Lobster Competition continues till Sunday. For extra data go to: www.mainelobsterfestival.com

Kay Stephens could be reached at information@penbaypilot.com