Wormfest year three is planned in detail, from the music, parking and more, down to the festival's trash. New and returning features will make up Wormfest 2026, according to plans shared ahead of selectmen's Tuesday, May 5 board meeting. Wormfest organizers were asking for Railroad Avenue's shutdown from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 13 for the 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. festival in the town National Geographic once declared the worm capital of the world. 

The Wormfest committee's request notes the first two years each drew about 1,000 people "despite quite a bit of rain."

The committee said it again wants to bring the community together and offer an "extremely low-cost" day for families. Music starts with Wiscasset Middle High School band's kicking off the June 13 event at 11 a.m. with the national anthem and more; local musician Caleb Jones from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; “Sierra & Chris” from 1 to 3 p.m.; and featured band, The Crab Shack Band, from 4 to 7 p.m.

"We hope this will be great for families who want to bring kids and also not be too late to disturb any neighbors. The bands will be under a large tent in the corner of the Railroad Avenue parking lot like last year. We will submit a special amusement permit for this piece of the festival."

Committee members add, they are also working to get licensing for a beer garden again, near the band tent.

"This year we will again give out two or three $2,500 scholarships to Wiscasset (Middle) High School seniors who have given back to the community.

"Our official mission statement is: Wormfest celebrates the unique heritage and vibrant spirit of Wiscasset, the 'worm capital of the world.' Through food, fun, and festivities, we bring our community together to honor our working waterfront, cherish local traditions, and share the charm of our town with neighbors and visitors alike."

The “Worm Crawl” at restaurants returns on Wormfest eve, Friday June 12; and June 14 brings a new, 5k road race, from
Wiscasset Speedway to Wiscasset Yacht Club.

"And we are working with public safety folks to make sure the route is secure and safe," the committee writes.

As for Wormfest trash, the committee writes: "We will provide large trash bins (or we’d love to borrow them if the town has them) and bags and we will take care of keeping up with trash and taking it to the transfer station, as well as recycling. Bins for trash and recycling will be placed along the closed off area of Railroad Avenue. Like last year, volunteers will take care of monitoring all trash bins and we will take care of disposing of it."

Besides the road closure June 13, the committee was asking to again use the town-owned Scout Hall for the festival's history and museum exhibit in partnership with Historic New England. 

Plans call for festival goers to park downtown on-street or in a Middle Street lot or at Wiscasset Elementary School. "And we are working on a small shuttle bus to go back and forth. The handicap spots on Railroad Avenue will still be accessible. We have not had any complaints about parking and hope to continue that with added awareness about using the school lot."

The committee, made up of Sarah Whitfield, Lucy Oyster, Julee Ketelhut, Tracey Whitney and Michelle Wentworth, was asking for festival-goers to be able to use Scout Hall's restroom. "We plan to have rotating shifts of volunteers who would check the bathroom each hour to make sure it’s clean and stocked. Portapotties are also available on the creamery pier and near Red’s Eats and we will have two additional portapotties, with a handwashing station, near the bus parking in the Railroad Avenue parking lot."

Also May 5, selectmen were set to appoint election clerks. Look for meeting results at wiscassetnewspaper.com and in the May 14 print edition. 

The meeting is at 6 p.m. May 5 at the town office and on Zoom. Find the link on the agenda at wiscasset.gov