The historic fishing village of Frenchboro on Long Island will host the 48th annual Frenchboro Lobster Festival on Saturday, August 8, 2009.
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.
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 about 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 is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. rain or shine. Proceeds benefit the 120-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 can only 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 or 334-2902).
For more information about the Frenchboro Lobster Festival call 334-2974 or 334-2923.
Questions? Click here to ask.
The Outer Long Island Congregational Church was founded July 23, 1889. Its formation was spearheaded by Alexander P. MacDonald, who years later would found the Maine Sea Coast Missionary Society. The chapel, which is still in use, was built and dedicated on Sept. 10, 1890. Services are held monthly during the winter months and weekly in July and August. Services typically start at 10 a.m.
If you would like to support the historic island Church, please click here.
The Frenchboro Church Parsonage was built in 1904. For decades, the island's school teachers lived in the Parsonage during the school year. For several years in the past decade, the Parsonage was home to an island preschool. It still provides lodging for island guests and the visiting ministers and can be rented for select weeks during the summer and early fall. For more information about renting the parsonage, please visit www.swansislandvacations.info.
Entering its 22th 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 historic Israel B. Lunt house, built in the 1840s, features a rental cottage. Open May to September.
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 additional Maine State Ferry Information visit:
http://www.maine.gov/mdot/opt/ferry/215-frenchboro.php
Captain Henry Lee
Bass Harbor and Frenchboro
8.25 miles, 50-minute crossing time
| DEPARTURE TIMES: | |
| BASS HARBOR | FRENCHBORO |
| Wednesdays | |
| 9:00 A.M. | 10:00 A.M. |
| Thursdays | |
| 12:00 Noon | 1:00 P.M. |
| Sundays - January 6 through March 23, October 26 through December 28 | |
| 11:30 A.M. | 12:30 P.M. |
| Sundays - March 30 through October 19 | |
| 12:15 P.M. | 1:15 P.M. |
| Fridays (passengers only) - April 4 thru October 31 | |
| 8:00 A.M. | 9:00 A.M. |
| 5:00 P.M. | 6:00 P.M. |
| Fridays (passengers only) - November 7 Thru November 28 | |
| 8:00 A.M. | 9:00 A.M. |
| 4:00 P.M. | 5:00 P.M. |