9th Windjammer ‘easily most successful’ Weekend starts with unsecured vessels, tight parking but soon smoothes out

CAMDEN – The ninth annual Windjammer Weekend had a few ripples to start, but it was smooth sailing throughout the rest of the three-day event.

On Friday, Harbor Master Steve Pixley was leading a parade of 24 windjammers into the harbor, when a 60-foot vessel began dragging its anchor, he said Saturday. Another minor boating incident also needed immediate attention at about the same time. With the help of a few local friends, event officials were able to secure the vessels quickly and carry on with the procession of sailing ships.

“[Steve Pixley] is a lot of the driving force around here,” Greg Dugal, executive director of the Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce, said Saturday, referring to the harbor master’s role in the annual event. Pixley also is a member of the Windjammer Weekend Committee.

The weekend officially started at noon Friday with the arrival of the windjammers that tied up in the harbor.

For landlubbers, it was rough sailing Friday night trying to find a parking spot in Camden because of the special attractions.

The Schooner Bum Talent Show, Flash in the Pan steel drum band, and a fireworks display that night drew a large crowd, Dugal said, particularly the band.

“The hill was full for that,” he said.

Another big attraction – new this year – was the Maine Grand Opera, which performed “Pirates of Penzance” in Harbor Park, he said.

Besides open houses on the schooners, nautical workshops, a boat building contest, treasure hunt, sea music and a boat parade – all free – the weekend provided people an opportunity to sit by the harbor, take in the sights, relax and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Organizers already are looking ahead to the 10th annual Windjammer Weekend, Pixley said, noting, “We’re [soliciting] for the first time for applicants for the 10th annual committee.”

The nonprofit volunteer group will focus on making the event even bigger and better in future years, he said.

“This is the ninth [Windjammer Weekend] and easily the most successful,” committee Chair Annie Higbee said.