Windjammer Days 2025

Mon, 06/23/2025 - 9:04am

KEVIN BURNHAM

Area clergy provide the Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday, June 22 from Boothbay Harbor Fish Pier. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The gathering of the Memorial Service at the Fishermen's Memorial across from the Catholic Church. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Dan Hallinan gives a wave. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Jen Sherman and Brandy Pottle wave. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Judi White, organizer of the event. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Bell ringer Rick Chaplin. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Helping to set up the public address system were Rob Ham, left, and Darrell Gudroe, seen here talking with Rick Chaplin. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Bagpiper Jim Thibodeau. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Tammy Judkins. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Imij Armstead. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Flag bearer Chris Armstead. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Rev. Todd Weir. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

John O'Connell. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Dave Patch. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Dr. Barclay Shepard and Anthony Konet, USCG. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Rev. Glen Carter. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Area clergy provide the Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday, June 22 from Boothbay Harbor Fish Pier. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The gathering of the Memorial Service at the Fishermen's Memorial across from the Catholic Church. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Dan Hallinan gives a wave. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Jen Sherman and Brandy Pottle wave. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Judi White, organizer of the event. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Bell ringer Rick Chaplin. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Helping to set up the public address system were Rob Ham, left, and Darrell Gudroe, seen here talking with Rick Chaplin. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Bagpiper Jim Thibodeau. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Tammy Judkins. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Imij Armstead. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Flag bearer Chris Armstead. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Rev. Todd Weir. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

John O'Connell. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Dave Patch. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Dr. Barclay Shepard and Anthony Konet, USCG. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Rev. Glen Carter. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The blue skies with a slight breeze made for great conditions for the 2025 Windjammer Days Blessing of the Fleet and Memorial Service on Sunday afternoon, June 22.

It was the opening event of the week-long festival. About 25 boats participated in the blessing which was conducted by Father Peter Shaba of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Tammy Judkins of United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor, Rev. Todd Weir of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, and Rev. Glen Carter of Boothbay Baptist Church.

After the blessing, those gathered at Boothbay Harbor Fish Pier were led to the Fishermen’s Memorial Park by bagpiper Jim Thibodeau.

The event, organized by Judi White, daughter of longtime organizer, the late Estelle Appel, began with White welcoming the large crowd.

A welcoming prayer was offered by Judkins, followed by a song, “Across the Vast Eternal Sky,” by local teen Imij Armstead.

Rev. Weir recited a prayer for those lost at sea from 1798 through 1898, followed by the reading of names for those lost at sea from 1905 to the present by John O’Connell, David Patch and White. As each name was read, Rick Chaplin rang a bell.

Following the singing of “God Bless America,” led by Armstead, retired U.S. Navy Medical Corps captain Barclay Shepard conducted the laying of a wreath with assistance from local Coast Guard representative Anthoy Konet. “Taps” was provided by Thibodeau and Rev. Glen Carter provided the benediction.