ROCKLAND – Maine Lighthouse Week begins Saturday, June 17 and runs through Sunday June 24 with a host of events celebrating the midcoast region’s rich maritime heritage.

The celebration includes a lighthouse cruise on Penobscot Bay, a Gordon Bok concert, a gala dinner, a walk/run, and the grand opening of the final phase of the Maine Lighthouse Museum at the Discovery Center at One Park Drive.

The week kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday with the grand opening of the Maine Discovery Center and the christening of the CWO Kenneth Black Exhibition Hall. This will be the public’s first look at the entire collection of lights, rare lenses, and the large and impressive collection of lighthouse artifacts dating to the 18th century.

Among the dignitaries expected to attend are Maine’s first lady Karen Baldacci and Rear Adm. David Pekoske, commander of the First U.S. Coast Guard District, Boston.

On Saturday evening, the American Lighthouse Foundation, or ALF, will host a special dinner at the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion honoring Black, who retired in 1973 from the Coast Guard after 32 years of service. He is the founder of the Maine Lighthouse Museum and its collection.

The 6 p.m. dinner will feature raffles, door prizes, and a few surprises. Tickets for the evening are available to the public at $35.00 each. Proceeds will benefit ALF, Maine Lighthouse Museum, and the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.

On Sunday, June 18, The Friends of the Rockland Breakwater, which brought about Maine Lighthouse Week several years ago, will host a Light-to-Light Fun Walk and Run,” which starts at 8 a.m. at the Owl’s Head Lighthouse and ends at Breakwater Park.

In 2001, Gov. Angus King proclaimed the third week in June Maine Lighthouse Week to honor and remember the important role lighthouses have played in Maine history.

A concert by nationally acclaimed folk singer and local resident Gordon Bok takes place at The Strand Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday, June 23. Tickets available at the theater are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

On Saturday, June 24, the Friends will host a gala cruise aboard M.V. Monhegan. The six-hour trip will take passengers by at least eight lighthouses and other historic sites. The 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. excursion leaves from the Rockland Public Landing Middle Pier at Buoy Park.

For tickets, or other Lighthouse Week event information, call Dot Black at 785-4609.