Waldoboro artist Jean Kigel knows her lobsters. Her two red lobsters embracing in a “claw shake” were featured in last year’s Maine Lobster Festival poster. But this year, Kigel decided to paint one of the rarest-colored lobsters for the 2024 poster — a blue lobster. Here’s what one looks like in real life. To recap from one of our past blogs, “The Rarest Colors of Lobsters,” lobsters are born with pigments called astaxanthin, which determine their shell color (the normal mottled greenish to blackish-brown typically seen). However, mutations sometimes occur in those pigments. According to ocea ..read more

Every July/August when the Maine Lobster Festival kicks off an unforgettable week, thousands of people from all over the country — and world — make Rockland, Maine, their primary destination. Yet, there are many unique locations around the Midcoast that you should also check out while you’re here. Put these fun side trips on your bucket list for the week of July 31 to Aug. 4, 2024. Lighthouses Of course, lighthouses top the list — you’re in Maine! It would almost be a crime not to see these charming pieces of maritime history. Here are three must-see lighthouses all within 30 miles of the Fest ..read more

As we recently outlined in our February blog, “How This Winter’s Storms Have Impacted Maine and The Lobster Industry,” it wasn’t just piers, pilings, wharves, boats, and the shoreline that suffered damage. (Astoundingly, Maine has just endured its fourth 100-year storm in early March, damaging even more lobster wharves and shoreline property!) For artist and sculptor Richard Johnson, the storms generated by this El Niño winter got personal. Last year, he began a quest to cast his King Neptune sculpture in bronze to donate it to the Maine Lobster Festival in honor of long-time volunteer Alice K ..read more

Let us introduce you to Adelaide Hendricks, 19, who served in the new role of Maine Lobster Festival Delegate this year (historically known as the “Maine Sea Goddess”). While the title might be different, the role has always been the same — to serve as MLF’s ambassador during the Festival and as an advocate for the Maine lobster industry throughout the year. As Maine Lobster Festival President Celia Knight defined the new gender-neutral role in a Penobscot Bay Pilot article, “This is not a beauty pageant. It is an event to find the best person to represent the lobster industry, the Festival, a ..read more

Mainers have weathered some pretty nasty storms over the years. Many long-time residents remember the Ice Storm of ’98 and the April Fool’s Day storm of ’87. But they weren’t prepared for the wallop Mother Nature brought on Dec. 18, 2023 and then twice again with back-to-back rainstorms a few weeks later on Jan. 10 and 13 of this year. Piers, pilings, boats, property and the shoreline were severely damaged by flooding in December with significant power outages around the state and nearly $20 million in damage to public infrastructure. Eight Maine coastal counties that suffered severe flooding ..read more

Last month we explored how the iconic crustacean got its close-up in our blog, “Lobster in Pop Culture: How Lobsters are Portrayed in Movies.” To continue the series, this month we’re spotlighting Maine artists who have portrayed lobster and fishermen as the subject in various forms of artwork. Paintings & Drawings Many artists draw inspiration from their surroundings, including the following artists who incorporate lobsters into their work. We’ll start with Maine’s most notable painting family, N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, and Jamie Wyeth — all three artists created multiple paintings featur ..read more

Renowned for its delectable taste and luxurious appeal, lobster offers more than just a gourmet delight — it’s a nutritional powerhouse packed with high-quality protein, essential vitamins and minerals. Let’s explore its nutritional content, delve into the health benefits it brings to the table, and discover the ideal place lobster holds in a well-rounded, healthy eating plan. Get ready to savor not just the flavor but the nourishment lobster can bring to your plate and your well-being. Vitamin and Protein Powerhouse Lobster, with its high-quality protein content, is a delightful solution for ..read more

The lobstering industry’s work cycles follow the seasons. Although lobsters are harvested year-round in Maine, the majority of our coastal lobstermen catch them between late June and late December.  Maine lobstermen power down during the winter months due to weather conditions and the behavior of lobsters, as lobsters tend to migrate out to deeper waters when the temperatures get cold. Most people who work year-round can’t fathom how lobstermen can take six months off from hauling and still pay their bills, but if a lobsterman has earned enough of an income through the summer and fall, of ..read more

Is there someone on your list whose favorite food is Maine lobster? If so, we have six unique lobster-themed gifts they will love — all sourced from Maine craftspeople and Maine makers. Mini Lobster Buoy Ornaments Maine artist Beth Doan has taken the colorful icon of lobster buoys and miniaturized them for your holiday tree, carefully hand-painting each one (3.25 inches). They can also be used as napkin rings, place setting gifts, zipper pulls on a bag, and so much more! $9 at Down East Shop Lobster Rope Wreaths WharfWarp, a Freeport-based home décor company, makes eco-friendly products using ..read more

With the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike in the news recently, it seems the right time to talk about “the third character” in a lot of classic and modern movies — the Maine lobster. Mr. DeMille, they are ready for their close-up! Symbol of Wealth & Indulgence In many films, lobsters are depicted as gourmet or luxury food items. They are often shown being prepared and served in upscale restaurants, highlighting their high cost and status as a culinary delicacy. Movies may also show characters enjoying lobster dinners as a symbol of wealth or indulgence. Going back to “Titanic” (1997), the sweeping ..read more