

The Portland Old Port Festival, which first began in 1973, was traditionally held on the first Saturday of June for its initial 36 years. In 2010, however, the date shifted to the second Saturday of June in hopes of avoiding the frequent rainstorms that often dampened the original weekend.
Locals came to know and love Old Port Fest for its lively atmosphere, featuring live music, art exhibits, local artisans, food and drink vendors, and much more. In 2009, the festival even gained national attention with an ambitious attempt to create the world’s largest lobster roll, which included 48 pounds of lobster meat and stretched an impressive 61 feet and 9.5 inches.
Despite its widespread popularity, the beloved festival came to an abrupt end in 2019, when organizers decided to discontinue it. Despite efforts by local business owners and residents to keep the festival alive, attempts to revive it were ultimately unsuccessful.