Salmon and seafood to be savored

For over 30 years, the end of summer in Eastport has been celebrated with a festival paying homage to the Atlantic salmon and other delicious seafood found in local waters. The 2018 Eastport Salmon & Seafood Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 1 and 2, of Labor Day weekend and will include lots of arts and crafts, history, a fishing contest and salmon dinner.
The schedule on Saturday, September 1, includes the 20th annual Paint Eastport Day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the Trees of Eastport walking tour from 9 to 11 a.m.; downtown flea market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m; children's activities at the library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the exhibition, "Passionate Observer," Tides Institute, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; exhibition, "She's Ever Present," by artist Sarah Hewitt, Tides Institute and Museum of Art's (TIMA) North Church Project Space, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; local food, craft and educational exhibits from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; members' themed show "Pirates" at the Eastport Gallery, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; farmers' market from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the post office; and oysters on the half shell from 11 a.m. until gone. There will be live music by Washington County musicians downtown from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well as local brews on tap and wine and samples and sales of Shantytown Rum by Dooryard Shine.
The sale of desserts at the senior center on Boynton Street begins at 12 noon and continues until they are gone; soups, chowders and stews will be for sale under the tents from 12 noon until they are gone; the Barracks Museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m.; tours of five of TIMA's buildings will be offered from 2 to 4 p.m; the Paint Eastport Day silent auction and reception, Eastport Arts Center, 5 to 6 p.m.; and the Moonlight Movie African Queen at the Sutherland Amphitheater at dusk.
Salmon Sunday, September 2, starts with the Trees of Eastport walking tour from 9 to 11 a.m. beginning in front of the library; lobster pound tour at Lobster & Bait at 10 a.m.; the George S. Harris Sr. Memorial Fishing Derby for Youth from 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the breakwater; local food and crafts vendors and educational exhibits from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.; and the exhibition "Passionate Observer," Tides Institute, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shantytown Rum by Dooryard Shine, oysters on the half shell and beer on tap by Andrew's Brewing Company and Lubec Brewing Company will be sold from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., which is also when Washington County musicians will provide musical entertainment downtown. The "Pirates" theme show will be at the Eastport Gallery from 12 noon until 5 p.m.
The centerpiece of Salmon Sunday has always been the salmon dinner, which is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. under the tent where friends and visitors enjoy gazing contentedly at the breathtaking view of Passamaquoddy Bay just a few feet away. Served this year will be grilled 5-ounce salmon fillets with Raye's Mustard Salmon Sauce, rosemary roasted potatoes, peas, locally sourced greens with homemade dressing, homemade rolls and blueberry desserts. Included in the $16 price is an educational tour by Dave Morang of Cooke Aquaculture of the salmon pens by boat.
There will be a silent auction drawing under the tent at 4 p.m.