AldermereArtPosterMSmith

Art show in the Farm House of Aldermere Farm 20 Russell Avenue. Proceeds benefit the activities of the Farm. The Farm is a wonderful place to visit and see the Belted Galloway cows. Visit the art show where you can purchase lovely paintings of the cows. This farm is about 3 miles from the Inn. It is a lovely drive through beautiful neighborhoods on the coast. The homes and fields are spectacular.

CAMDEN, Maine (July 26, 2010) – More than a dozen schooners will sail into one of the country’s most-scenic harbors this Labor Day Weekend as the centerpiece of Camden Windjammer Festival 2010 – a celebration of the area’s maritime heritage and Maine’s sea-faring culture.

Some of Maine’s best-known musicians will perform at concerts that people can attend for free, and artisans will ply their trades at a Maritime Heritage Fair. These tradespeople include boat builders, blacksmiths, coopers, sail makers, blacksmiths and fishermen. Performers will stage a “pirate attack” on the town.

“When the schooners enter this harbor that’s framed by mountains, it’s amazing to see,” said Meg Maiden, Maine Windjammer Association marketing director. “The windjammers are powered primarily by sail and have no engines; most are designated National Historic Landmarks.”

What: Camden Windjammer Festival 2010

When: Sept. 3-5, 2010

Highlights: Schooners arrival; music (including Gordon Bok and Paranoid Social Club); Maritime Heritage Fair; Pirates of the Dark Rose attack; fireworks display; lobster crate and R/C boat races; schooner-crew talent show; all-comers boat parade.

Full Schedule: Available online at www.camdenwindjammerfestival.com/events

Each year, thousands of people from different parts of the country and some international locations attend this end-of-summer event. Camden has been celebrating its maritime heritage each Labor Day Weekend since the mid-1990s.

“It’s an authentic experience,” Maiden said. “The skills that the captains display have been passed down through the generations. All of them have worked their way up on sailing vessels.”

The schooners will host open houses, where visitors will be able to tour the schooners at no cost and learn about the tradition these windjammers represent. In the mid-1800s, ship builders regularly launched schooners into Camden Harbor, and for decades, Camden served as home port for cargo-carrying vessels that traveled to locales such as those in the West Indies.

Camden also is the birthplace of recreational schooner trips, with vessels beginning to carry passengers in the 1930s. Today, Camden remains home port to a dozen schooners, and these majestic sailing ships continue to offer trips where passengers can contribute to the sailing of the big ships, experience life on a windjammer, enjoy the stunning scenery and participate in activities such as lobster bakes.

On shore, the Heritage Fair also will offer free educational and fun activities to visitors.

“The whole impulse around this is activity and not just static displays,” said Bridget Qualey, chair of the Maritime Heritage Fair committee. “It takes people back into their memories and family recollections. It allows visitors to ask questions and learn new things.”

Contemporary Maine culture also will be on display, with free activities such as the performance of Maine’s premier rock band, Paranoid Social Club, on Saturday evening, and a closing performance Sunday by legendary Maine folk artist Gordon Bok.

“We call him the voice of the sea,” said John Orlando, the festival’s entertainment chair. “He’s a Maine native and loves sailing.”

Most events are free for those who attend. More information about the festival and the Camden’s maritime heritage is available online at www.camdenwindjammerfestival.com.

Vin Fest
October 1 &2, 2010
Cellardoor Winery’s 4th Annual Vin Fest.  Come fall, it is grape stomping time. This magical weekend begins Friday night with a 4 course dinner-dance under the stars in the vineyard. Each course will be paired with Cellardoor wines, and the evening’s menu will be prepared by local star chefs Lawrence Klang (Natalie’s Camden Harbour Inn), Chris Bassett (Azure Cafe), and Michael Salmon (Hartstone Inn). Dinner will be followed by desserts and dancing, with dance music provided by the Chris Humphrey Big Band.

The Winery is 5 miles from the Inn.

Camden International Film Festival
Sept 30 , 2010 to October 3, 2010
The 6th Annual Camden International Film Festival will take place from September 30th – October 3rd 2010, screening the best international documentary film to audiences in venues throughout Midcoast Maine. Fun exciting event that attracts hip young folk from the north coast to see innovative new films. Come and meet film makers, film producers, film enthusiasts.
Camden Windward House is a sponsor of this event, hosting staff and film producers.

COLORS OF CAMDEN MAINE
Maritime Fall Foliage & Event Calendar make Camden Maine a unique New England Fall Vacation.

The fantastic spectacle that is the maritime fall foliage, the lush mountains and calm ocean set Maine fall foliage apart from other New England foliage experiences. Camden Maine Innkeeper, Kristen Bifulco, stated “guests call us in January and ask when the leaves are going to change, visitors look forward to Camden’s Fall foliage all year round.”
The Colors of Camden, like an antique New England quilt formed by the meeting of Camden Harbor, Beauchamp Point, Penobscot Bay and the Camden Hills whether viewed from the air, aboard a scenic helicopter tour, the peak of Mt. Battie, Maiden’s cliff, aboard a Historic Schooner, or the lawn of the Camden Public Library, are breathtaking. Each aspect of land, mountain, sea and sky form a unique patch in this harmonious whole of the natural beauty of Autumn: deep ocean blue and light sky blue mingle with wispy white clouds, and the deep reds of sugar Maples veined with the vibrant gold and yellow of beeches, birches, elms, and green and black ash, and the rust and amber of oaks. The backdrop of Windjammer sails and American Bald Eagles in addition to leaves and trees, make Camden Maine a unique Fall experience.

In addition to the inherently economical fun of leaf peeping, Camden has lots of local events that are worth taking that scenic Rt1 trip up the coast to enjoy. Fall events are for the sophisticated movie buffs, boat lovers, cutting edge leaders and wine aficionados.
For those that want to see Camden fall foliage from the sky, Spirit Soaring Glider Rides http://www.spiritsoaring.org/   is a great choice.
To see the foliage from the sea: Schooner Olad, Schooner Surprise and Schooner Heron offer great harbor views.

Camden Maine Lodging Fall Packages:
Camden Windward House Fall Foliage Pancake Pan-tacular:
Come to Camden Windward House in October for the Fall Foliage Pancake Pan-tacular. Commencing October 17 until October 29th, The Fall Foliage Pancake Pan-tacular includes a gourmet menu breakfast featuring several of your favorite pancake recipes and afternoon tea will feature a sampling of local apples. For breakfast try the locally picked apple pancakes with saut~ed apples on top or the pumpkin pancakes with warm Maine Maple syrup. In the afternoon sample local apples and decide if you like the Macintosh or the Cortland’s. The Innkeepers will also provide maps of some of their favorite fall foliage walking and driving tours through the Camden area. The dates of this package might change if leaves change earlier in the season.
Offer start at $130.00 based on double occupancy. Tax is additional
Camden Windward House Lovely Leaves and Lodging:
See Camden Fall Foliage from the sea or air, stay 3 nights at Camden Windward House and receive a 10% discount on your sailings, or glider ride. Ask your innkeeper for more details.
Camden Calendar of Events:
Camden Windjammer Festival: Sept 3,4,&5 2010
The Camden Windjammer Festival is a community-led celebration of Camden’s maritime heritage and living traditions.
Camden International Film Festival
Sept 30 , 2010 to October 3, 2010
The 6th Annual Camden International Film Festival will take place from September 30th – October 3rd 2010, screening the best international documentary film to audiences in venues throughout Midcoast Maine. Fun exciting event that attracts hip young folk from the north coast to see innovative new films. Come and meet film makers, film producers, film enthusiasts.
Vin Fest
October 1 &2, 2010
Cellardoor Winery’s 4th Annual Vin Fest.  Come fall, it is grape stomping time. This magical weekend begins Friday night with a 4 course dinner-dance under the stars in the vineyard. Each course will be paired with Cellardoor wines, and the evening’s menu will be prepared by local star chefs Lawrence Klang (Natalie’s Camden Harbour Inn), Chris Bassett (Azure Cafe), and Michael Salmon (Hartstone Inn). Dinner will be followed by desserts and dancing, with dance music provided by the Chris Humphrey Big Band.

Tickets to Fridays dinner-dance will also gain you access to the Saturday, October 2 Vinfest festivities Advanced ticket purchase required, call 207-763-4478. Tickets are $100 and are now available for purchase on www.brownpapertickets.com
Pop Tech
October 20 – 23rd 2010
Pop Tech is a 4 day seminar about the effects of technology on People. It is an exciting seminar bringing amazing minds to Camden Maine. If you are not coming for the seminar, be sure you have a reservation for your room and your restaurant before you get here. Rooms are hard to come by during this week in October. 2010 theme: Brilliant Accidents, Necessary Failures, and Improbable Breakthroughs. For more information on Pop Tech go to: http://www.poptech.org/

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Camden Windward House is a Bed and Breakfast in the historic district of Camden Maine, one block from the downtown and harbor, walking distance to all Camden activities. The Camden Windward House Bed and breakfast website is dedicated to posting area events and activities, as well as selling comfortable lodging in Camden Maine. The Camden Windward House web site, www.windwardhouse.com, is a great resource for travelers coming to the Mid Coast of Maine.

The Hope Jazz Festival presents jazz performers at an exciting, daylong family festival. The 2010 festival will showcase Jazz artists at the Camden Maine Snow Bowl.  The Hope Jazz Festival will offer the finest Jazz Bands based in Maine.  Stay at Windward House Bed and Breakfast for this event, only 5 minutes from the venue. This year’s artists include Primo Cubano, the Steve Grover Band and back again to celebrate Django Reinhardt’s 100th birthday and Gypsy Jazz, The John Jorgenson Quintet. http://www.hopejazzfestival.com/

This Saturday July 17th 2010, 10am – 3:00pm the Friends of Rockland Public Library will host their third annual garden tour as a fundraiser for the library.  The event will take place from 10 – 3 and tickets cost $12 in advance and $15 the day of the tour.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Rockland library. For more information, please ask the Windward Innkeeper. If you would like advance tickets, please let Innkeeper know and we will have them for you upon arrival. Windward House supports all things LIBRARY!  http://www.rocklandlibrary.org/cs/?render=homepage

In alliance with the NY City’s Lincoln Center Institute, a musical version of the Hans Christian Andersen story at the Strand Theater in Rockland Maine. For all ages, this event is free, no reservations needed.   http://www.farnsworthmuseum.org/education/nightingale-free-performance-figures-speech-theater

Maine’s newest vineyard and winery located in scenic Owls head! Opening Weekend July 10 – 11, 2010 12:00 – 5:00pm then open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 – 5:00pm through October 2010, http://www.breakwatervineyards.com/ Owls Head is a short drive from beautiful Camden Maine. This is just one of the many wineries you can try while on the mid coast of Maine. Since it is new, I have not tried it yet myself, so if you have, please let me know. If I ever get a day off from Innkeeping, I am headed to Owls Head to try the wine and enjoy the coastal views!

Aldermere Farm Visitor’s Center Open for Season; Farm Tours Offered Fridays

Summer is here, and the black-and-white Belted Galloways are grazing the pastures at Aldermere Farm in Rockport.  For those passersby who would like to learn about the Farm, the Aldermere visitor’s center at 20 Russell Avenue will be open during the summer months.

The visitor’s center is staffed by knowledgeable and friendly volunteers who can answer questions about the Farm, and orient visitors to its trails and cattle viewing sites.  There are also “Beltie” retail items for sale.  Sales of these items support Aldermere Farm and its mission to protect a working landscape in Rockport and conduct farm-based educational programming.

Because it is volunteer-staffed, open hours may vary at the visitor’s center.  Currently, it is open Mondays from 2-4, Tuesdays from 2-4 starting July 12^th, Wednesdays from 10-4, Thursdays from 10-5, Fridays from 10-2, and Saturdays from 10-2.  If you are traveling a long distance, please call the Aldermere office at 236-2739 to confirm the center will be open.

For those that would like an even more in-depth experience at Aldermere Farm, there will be guided farm tours happening every Friday starting at 10 AM.  These tours will meet at the visitor’s center.

Aldermere Farm is a program of Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a statewide land trust.