It’s opening day of the 70th Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland Maine. A tradition ingrained in the lives and memories of Rockland residents for generations. Every year, the festival welcomes thousands of people from around the world to the coastal town of Rockland; an industrial town turned art and culture community. The Festival offers something for everyone – carnival rides, games, live entertainment, fine art and crafts, and educational exhibits about living and working on and off the rocky shores of the Maine coast. One of the biggest draws, however, is the fresh lobster and seafood. Thousands of pounds of fresh Maine lobster are cooked daily in a ginormous lobster cooker and served in a traditional style with lots of melted butter, a dinner roll and corn on the cob.
This year I’m so excited that I’ve been asked to be a part of all the fun! Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 4pm, I’ll be in the Marine tent signing copies of my book, The Empire. For me, what makes this such an honor is that the book is set in a fictional town inspired by Rockland and the MidCoast area. If you know the area and have read the book, you’ll have noticed that there are places in Shoreton that seem very similar to places in the Rockland area. The story is an homage to Rockland and also to small town America. The book centers around the real struggles that many quaint New England towns face – how to remain relevant in an ever-changing world while still honoring the past. I love Maine and the MidCoast area and I’m delighted that I get to be a part of this annual tradition.
Stay tuned for more photos and updates about all the fun and excitement I encounter at the 70th Maine Lobster Festival!
© 2017, C.L. Alden. All rights reserved.