The historic fishing village of Frenchboro on Long Island will host the 45th annual Frenchboro Lobster Festival on Saturday, August 11, 2007.

The annual event at Frenchboro, located eight miles across Blue Hill Bay from Mount Desert Island, features a beautiful boat ride and some of the best lobster in the world. This year’s festival also will feature country and rock music by Boots Murphy and the Heels, folk and bluegrass music by Scott Sell, and readings and signings by Maine authors Virginia Libhart (Carrie Makes Waves) and Richard Johnson (A is for Acadia). In addition, there will be a special celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the still-active one-room Frenchboro schoolhouse.

Frenchboro is one of just a handful of year-round island fishing villages on the coast of Maine. Established as a community in 1822, the island now has a population of about 70, with more than 20 children of elementary school age or younger—up from just one in the 1970s. Island attractions and activities include great walking trails, breathtaking vistas of the Atlantic and outer islands, a working one-room school, and the Frenchboro Historical Society Museum and Gift Shop.

The dinner, served on the banks of scenic Lunt Harbor, includes Maine lobster, chicken salad, hot dogs, cole slaw, homemade pies, potato chips and soda. Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. rain or shine. Proceeds benefit the 118-year-old Outer Long Island Congregational Church.

The Maine State Ferry (passengers only) will make a special Frenchboro Lobster Festival run, leaving Bass Harbor at 9 a.m. and then leaving Frenchboro for the return trip at 3:30 p.m. Ferry tickets cost $5 each and can be purchased the day of the event outside the Bass Harbor Ferry Terminal. In addition, moorings and anchorage are available in Lunt Harbor and fuel and water are available at the Lunt & Lunt dock (334-2922).

For more information about the Frenchboro Lobster Festival call 334-2974 or 334-2923.

Spend the day in the historic fishing village of Frenchboro on Long Island, located eight miles from Mount Desert Island in beautiful Blue Hill Bay. Enjoy the ferry ride across Blue Hill Bay, Maine lobster, our walking trails and breathtaking scenery, homemade pie and more! Ferry tickets cost $5.00 and Lobster Dinners are $20.00. Moorings and anchorage are also available in Lunt Harbor. For more information, call 207-334-2974 or 207-334-2923.

The Maine State Ferry will make a special round-trip to the island on that day. Questions? Click here to ask.

Now in its 55th year of operation, Lunt & Lunt Lobster Company sells fuel, water, limited supplies and live lobsters at its dock on Lunt Harbor. Lunt & Lunt also rents moorings ($20 per boat) on a first come, first served basis.

Entering its 20th year, Lunt's offers a variety of food, including its famous lobster rolls and fish chowder. Lunt's is open during July and August and is located on the Lunt & Lunt dock. Lunt's is generally open for lunch and dinner, but hours are subject to change. Call to confirm hours of operation. No reservations.

The Frenchboro Historical Society operates a seasonal museum daily from about Memorial Day until (about) Labor Day. It is typically open from 12:30 to 5 p.m., but hours are subject to change. For information about joining or supporting the Frenchboro Historical Society, please click here.

Island Cruises operates a 3.5-hour lunch cruise from Bass Harbor that includes a walking tour of the Frenchboro village and lunch on Lunt Harbor. Call for more information or visit: http://www.acadiainfo.com/iscruise.htm

The Maine State Ferry operates an auto ferry to Long Island three days per week and a seasonal passenger ferry on Fridays. Please note only the Friday ferry runs a round-trip in a single day.