Enjoy Yarmouth's 56th Annual Clam Festival this weekend right here in our hometown! Here are some highlights from the festival that you shouldn't miss.
Friday - July 21
Kick off this weekend by watching the Yarmouth Clam Festival Parade! If you've been driving around town, you've surely noticed all kinds of chairs lined up on the side of the road. Yarmouth residents like to claim their seats early—up to weeks in advance—for this long-standing gathering. It speaks to the nature of the community here in Yarmouth, and Maine at large, that everyone respects the "first come, first serve" policy.
This year, the parade will be from 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Its theme is "People In Your Neighborhood" : special organizations, people, businesses, and activities. With over 130 participants, you're guaranteed to see antique cars, marching bands, floats, and more!
Make sure to note that streets close early at 5:30 p.m., so get there with plenty of time to find a great spot—or get your chair up now!
Saturday - July 22
There are too many events to go into all of them, so I'll just mention a few highlights and then get to what's most important: the food.
Both the Clam Festival Kid's Fun Run and the Pat's Pizza 41st Annual 5-Mile Road Race will take place early Saturday morning after a pancake breakfast, followed by the Maine State Clam Shucking Contest. Whether you work up an appetite from racing, seeing all those clams, or while listening to the concert series on one of the four stages, I'm positive you will be satisfied by the selection of food the festival has.
If you find these stands, you're in the right place. Each booth is managed by a different Yarmouth-based nonprofit, which will receive the proceeds of your purchase.
The festival will have food available on the following days and times:
Friday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
My favorite items to get are fried dough and a Lime Rickey. I also love cotton candy, which can be found inside the carnival area. With even more food options, this carnival—brought to Yarmouth by Smokey's Greater Shows—has multiple rides and games to keep both adults and kids entertained.
Carnival Schedule:
Wednesday and Thursday: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday - July 23
Don't miss out on the Craft and Fine Arts Shows!
Open all three days, these shows feature work and goods from local artists. The Fine Arts show can be found on the lawn of the Merrill Memorial Library, featuring more traditional types of artwork. The Craft Show has many tents full of clothing, woodcarvings, pottery, jewelry, jams, and more!
Find the map and vendor list at this link : https://www.clamfestival.com/activities/arts-crafts/craft-show-vendor-list-map/
Craft Show Schedule:
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm
Fine Arts Show Schedule:
Friday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
For more information about the 2023 Yarmouth Clam Festival, visit https://www.clamfestival.com/