ROCKLAND – The city’s waterfront is buzzing in anticipation of this weekend’s sixth annual Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Show.

“This is the show for anyone who appreciates the Maine coast and all it has to offer,” said show’s founder John K. Hanson Jr. “It’s a fun and eclectic blend of coastal life and style that offers something for everyone.”

Presented by Hanson’s magazine, Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors, the Aug. 8-10 event will feature approximately 300 exhibitors showing everything from sleek rowing shells to around-the-world cruising sailboats. There also will be exhibits of fine furniture by some of the state’s top woodworkers.

The only annual in-the-water event of its kind in the state, more than 70 boats will be arrayed in the harbor along 1,500 linear feet of dock space. On land, there will be even more boats, plus the finest goods for the home. Visitors to the show are invited to come on board to talk to the boat builders and see, in detail, what makes Maine-made boats and hand-crafted furniture world-famous for design and construction.

“Where else can you step aboard gorgeous boats by builders like Atlantic Boat, Hinckley, Lyman-Morse, Morris Yachts, Pulsifer, Sabre Yachts and John Williams and then go try out a handmade Windsor chair by a famous maker such as Thomas Moser, or view the custom cabinetry of the Kennebec Company?” asked Hanson.

Special features of this year’s show will include “Tremolino and the work of Lance Lee” and the 83-foot-long Jacob Pike, the recently retired sardine carrier that is now part of the Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport and an active symbol of two of Maine’s most important industries, fishing and shipbuilding. Lee is an educator and boat builder who has worked the coast of Maine for more than 40 years. His Apprenticeshop, Atlantic Challenge International and Tremolino Project have all enhanced life on the coast.

Along with the boats, Harbor Park and the Fishermen’s Memorial will team with exhibits, demonstrations of marine arts and crafts, live music and local food. The show also will feature artists, jewelers, craftsmen, architects and garden designers.

There will be a kid’s fun zone where children will have opportunities to learn practical nautical skills, including skiff painting, caulking and knot tying. There also will be paper crafts and mural painting on canvas sails. Youngsters will be able to race foot-long remote-controlled sailboats in the Footy Competition or watch a remote-controlled powerboat model negotiate a slalom course, all on the show’s custom-built 32-foot-long model pond.

The always popular World Championship Boatyard Dog Trials will be held the final day of the show at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 10. The trials are a mix of skill and silliness as dogs fetch and splash their stuff. Only dogs that have pre-qualified to compete are allowed on the show grounds.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, and Saturday, Aug. 9, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10. Admission is $10. A two-day pass is $15 and a three-day pass is $25. Children under 12 are admitted free.

For information, go to http:// maineboats.com.

wgriffin@bangordailynews.net

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