Find us on Facebook

 Find us on Facebook  

Welcome to the Harpswell Anchor

Welcome to the Harpswell Anchor. Here you can find information on our unique community whether it be local events, historical vignettes, and profiles of some of our unique individual residents.

Anchor Publishing also publishes books, maps and other materials which are on display here.

Click on your computer's "refresh" button to see more images. Enjoy your virtual trip through Harpswell!

The Anchor Staff

Harpswell Readies For Summer's Marquee Events Print

Written by Thomas Owen | 15 July 2010

The end of this month marks another year of the annual Harpswell Festival. On July 24th and 25th, citizens and visitors to the Harpswell area can enjoy a multitude of events, some new, some old.

"Food, fun, fireworks. That's been the tagline from the beginning," says Tom Allen, the Festival's executive director. "Come get a bite to eat, do some activities, browse the vendors, listen to music, take a walk on the beach, stay for the fireworks at 9."

"The location is unequaled," Allen says. "I'm sure there are other waterfront venues around, but the view across Middle Bay at sunset is incredible. I'm not sure even Harpswell people really know how lucky we are to have such a beautiful property to share."

Among the festivities will include the annual Harpswell Lobster Boat Races, perhaps the town's most famous tradition. This year, the races will be held in a new area over by Middle Bay. Henry W. Barnes, this years LBR's director, discusses the thought process behind the relocation.

Read more...

Blessing Of The Fleet Print

Written by Amber Skinner | 15 July 2010


In addition to the Blessing of the Fleet (BOF) traditionally performed during Cundy's Harbor Days, a second mass BOF will take place as part of the Lobster Boat Races (LBR) on July 25 at 10 a.m. Pastor Veronica Gonsior of Cundy's Harbor Community Church of the Nazarene will officiate this "general blessing of the day and all fishermen," she said.
The LBR will be held in Middle Bay off George J. Mitchell Field as part of the Harpswell Shindig, scheduled to last from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Shindig, basically a continuation of the Harpswell Festival, held the day before and also at Mitchell Field, will offer food vendors, local crafts for sale and children's activities.
This will be Gonsior's first time attending the LBR "because it's always held on Sunday and I'm expected to be at church," she explained, laughing. But when she was asked to perform the BOF prior to the LBR this year, her "congregation said: 'You need to be there.' I'm fortunate to have such a supportive congregation," she continued. Before the races begin, she'll be taken out on a float in Middle Bay to say a prayer.

Read more...

You might be a Harpswellite if.. Print

Written by Nelson Barter | 15 July 2010

With special thanks to Sergeant Major Shirley Thompson of the Harpswell Militia

You wear beach sandals and a fleece vest in July
You still refer to the Museum as "Bailey's"
Going to Fatboy's is a big night out
Your social networking site is the VHF
Your idea of international travel is "going up to camp."