After a pause in 2023, Schoonerfest has been reinvented as a one-day event to celebrate the Wiscasset waterfront. We’ll showcase schooners, tall ships and other watercraft, along with food, live music and fun kids’ activities. The festival will feature kayak tours around White’s Island – with a local historian describing Wiscasset’s boat-building industry – and a walking tour of historic homes and a colonial reenactment march to the waterfront.   Schoonerfest continues to celebrate the town’s maritime history and is especially excited to announce the arrival of Maine’s first ship, the Virginia. This historic replica ship, built by dedicated volunteers, is a testament to Maine's rich shipbuilding heritage and will be a highlight of the event. The ship will be open for on-deck tours and sailing excursions on the Sheepscot River.  

The mission of this small-town festival, managed by an all-volunteer force, is to bring the community together to celebrate our waterfront and its important nautical past.

The event at 1 Water St. is Saturday, Sept. 21 from noon to 8 p.m. Admission is free to all musical performances. There are activities on the river, children’s games, food trucks, and visit a lobsterboat! Music by The Salty Dogs, Leopard Girls, Pan Fried Steel, and Dam Jam. Dance by the moonlight to the Leopard Girls and watch fireworks!

For the full schedule, visit wiscassetschoonerfest.com