Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to travel to the 4-Port Loop communities and all the adjoining towns and historical societies in between. Visit 4portloop.me to download a map of riverfront picnic, launching and viewing sites and a historical site map.

Penobscot Maritime

Heritage Association

P.O. Box 123

Orrington, Maine 04474

Leave message or text: 207-745-7748

Celebrate America's 250th and the Penobscot River's Maritime History, July 28-August 3!

Penobscot Maritime Heritage Association (PMHA) is bringing tall ships to board, tour and enjoy along with displays in the Waterfront Exhibit Area... all commemorating the maritime history of the lower Penobscot River basin!

Get In The Loop!

The Penobscot Maritime Heritage Association (PMHA) committee is looking for businesses, organizations and folks to host events during the 4-Port Loop celebrations commemorating America's 250th birthday July 28-August 3, 2026. The 4-Port Loop is anchored by the towns of Bangor/Brewer, Bucksport, Castine and Searsport and includes the many towns along the lower Penobscot River basin. It is with the participation of our local businesses and organizations that the celebration can be filled with activities for our residents and visitors to enjoy and they will enjoy them in our beautiful towns.

The 4-Port Loop project is the perfect vehicle for your organization to be a part of, and possibly fundraise at the same time! If your organization would like to host or assist with an event, please let us know. The PMHA Committee will then advertise and promote the events as part of the whole 4-Port Loop package. This will create a greater impact not only for the individual organization's event but also for the entire celebration.

Marketing the 2026 4-Port Loop celebration will be far-reaching. Newspaper, printed materials (brochures, rack cards, posters, fliers), television, radio, social media and collateral materials (banners, flags, etc.) will all be utilized across not only the region, but the entire state and New England and beyond. Maine has been featured as the #3 top travel destination in the world again this year, according to Lonely Planet, so we anticipate a huge increase in tourism. This year is the greatest opportunity to show off our area and our hospitality to the world!

If you need some ideas to ponder, consider these activities: Reneactments; historical displays; fireworks; parades; golf, baseball, softball, street hockey tournaments; arts and crafts fair; road races; breakfasts, lunches and suppers; street dance and live bands; decorated bicycle parade and bike safety; touch a truck; pet parade; library events; recitals and talent shows; teas and tours; plays and pageants; pet show or whatever your group can imagine! Contact any of the PMHA Committee members listed on the website. We will gladly help you promote your America's 250th event!

DOWNLOAD THE EVENT FORM HERE!

Harvey Gamage

Bucksport, Bangor, Castine

The Tall Ship Harvey Gamage is a 131' gaff rigged schooner that was launched in 1973 in South Bristol, Maine. The United States Congress created a special service category of vessel for Sail Training and the Harvey Gamage is one of a handful of vessels licensed for this service. She has been educating students along the east coast almost continuously since her launch.

The Harvey Gamage arrives in Bucksport on Thursday evening, July 30. The Harvey Gamage will be open for FREE public tours on Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Donations are accepted.

Special Day Cruises

aboard the Harvey Gamage!

The Harvey Gamage is offering a once-in-a-lifetime trips up the Penobscot River from Bucksport to Bangor on Friday, July 31. Travel upriver through history aboard the historic schooner Harvey Gamage during this one-way morning voyage from Bucksport to Bangor. There will also be a one-way afternoon return voyage from Bangor to Bucksport.

Join fellow north-bound passengers and crew on at the Bucksport Municipal Dock, 94 Main Street, Bucksport. As you sail along the Penobscot River, historians from the Penobscot Marine Museum will share the stories of the river's historic communities, old wharves, maritime landmarks, and industries. Discover how the Penobscot River's reach into the heart of Maine helped shape the region's maritime history.

Guests will be joined by Penobscot Marine Museum historians Cipperly Good and Jon Johansen, who will help bring the river's past to life, along with Jeff Roberts, a historical reenactor who will speak about the Penobscot Expedition.

Whether you are an experienced sailor or stepping aboard for the first time, you are invited to become part of the crew. Help raise and trim the sails, take a turn at the helm, learn about traditional seamanship, or relax on deck and enjoy the river.

Every voyage is shaped by the wind, tides, weather, and river conditions. Guests are welcome to help raise and trim the sails, take a turn at the helm, learn about traditional seamanship, or simply relax on deck and enjoy Maine's scenery beneath Harvey Gamage's canvas.

Following the sail, passengers will disembark at the Bangor City Dock at approximately 11:15 AM. A chartered bus will arrive at 12:15 PM to transport morning passengers back to their vehicles at the Bucksport Town Dock.

The afternoon voyage will begin boarding at 1:45 PM at the Bangor City Dock at 5 Front Street. The Harvey Gamage is expected to arrive at the Bucksport Town Dock at approximately 5:30 PM. A chartered bus will arrive at 5:45 PM to return afternoon passengers to their vehicles in Bangor.

Your ticket includes:

· One-way voyage aboard the Harvey Gamage from Bucksport to Bangor or Bangor to Bucksport

· Historical interpretation from Penobscot Marine Museum historians

· Historical reenactors aboard the vessel

· Chartered bus transportation from Bangor back to Bucksport

· Water, soda, and light snacks

· A U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain and professional crew

· Opportunities to participate in sailing the schooner

P Proceeds from this special fundraising sail will support the Penobscot Marine Museum and youth sail-training programs through the Marine Learning Project.

SSailing and arrival times are approximate and may change based on wind, tides, weather, and river conditions.

GGuests may bring beer or wine to enjoy responsibly while underway. Please dress for changing conditions on the water and wear comfortable, secure footwear. Each direction is a separately ticketed event; guests wishing to sail both ways must purchase tickets for both voyages. Reserve your spot online at www.marinelearningproject.org/upcoming-sails

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Presumpscot &

Merrymeeting II

Bangor, Brewer

Bangor will host Sailing Ships Maine on Sunday, August 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., when they bring their two 32-foot long Whitby (Cornish) Pilot Gigs, the Presumpscot and Merrymeeting II, to the cruise ship docks. They will offer three sessions (10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:15 p.m.) of free Gig Boat rowing lessons. Pre-registration is necessary, as space is limited. CLICK HERE to register.

Then get ready for Gig Boat rowing competitions with qualified row teams between the bridges from 1-2 p.m. Come on down and cheer on your favorite teams from the Bangor and Brewer riverwalks! FMI: sailingshipsmaine.org

Explore, Educate, Experience and Enjoy the History of the Mighty Penobscot

See the mighty Penobscot River come to life with Tall Ships & vessels from the past and future! Visit the 14 riverfront ports of Bangor, Brewer, Bucksport, Castine, Frankfort, Hampden, Orland, Orrington, Penobscot, Prospect, Searsport, Stockton Springs,Verona Island and Winterport to capture the maritime essence of Maine.

From dock-side Tall Ship Tours to week-long Student Training Adventures; from Yacht Races to Gig Boat Crew Races; from special Museum Displays to Maritime History Movies; and so many historical sites all along the 4-Port Loop... you will be ensconced in maritime history from July 28-August 3.

See these ships and visit these towns (Bucksport, Castine, Bangor/Brewer, Searsport) for a myriad of special events.

Viola, Notre Dame des Flots, Eros

Castine

See these crown jewels of the Principality of Monaco in Castine Harbor on Wednesday, July 29. Viola, one of the crown jewels of the Yacht Club of Monaco is a Fife-designed gaff cutter, built in 1908. The Notre Dame des Flots, will also be visiting. Built in 1947 as a gaff-rigged North Sea fishing schooner, she was abandoned on the beaches of Dunkirk, before being restored from 1975 to 1983. Take photos, but no boarding. They are joined by the elegant 115' sailing yacht, Eros, that was built in England in 1939.

Viola

Eros

Notre Dame des Flots

See the Spectacular Drone Light Show over the River!

Instead of fireworks, 300 drones will be flying over the Penobscot River for 2 awesome 10+ minute aerial light shows celebrating America's 250th birthday! Bring your chairs and cameras and watch from the riverwalks in Bucksport (Saturday, August 1) and Bangor & Brewer (Sunday, August 2) at 8:45 p.m.!

Bangor/Brewer show launches 400' above the Joshua Chamberlain bridge... so view it at least 100 ' south of the bridge.

NOTE: These shows are weather dependent.

Sailing Ships Maine

Bangor, Brewer

Sailing Ships Maine Student Training Programs help youth build self-confidence, develop critical leadership and teamwork skills, and open their minds to new life possibilities.

Our mission is to take students aged 14-18 on a voyage of self-discovery. Students will join our crew of licensed professional mariners on six-passenger sailing vessels, where they will learn nautical skills, build friendships, explore their environments, and fully participate in all the work required to travel and live on a sailboat.

These trips are a chance for students to disconnect from social media and build meaningful skills and connections. our goal as educators is to facilitate their learning, while encouraging them to invest themselves fully in the experience and build community, skill, and awareness of our local environment.

FMI or to register for trip, see their booth in the Exhibit Tent at the Bucksport Waterfront Exhibit Area on August 1 and along the Bangor or Brewer waterfront on Sunday, August 2: sailingshipsmaine.org

State of Maine

Castine

Maine Maritime Academy's new cutting-edge national security multi-mission vessel, the 525' State of Maine, will serve as it's next generation training ship, holding 600 cadets. See this massive ship in port starting on July 12. Due to access restrictions, there will not be any onboard tours, but there are plenty of opportunities to take photos of this behemoth at the dock. FMI: mainemaritime.edu

Additional MMA training ships (tug, navigation traing ship, ROV) may also participate in events in Bucksport and Bangor.

3Dirigo

Bucksport, Bangor, Brewer

3Dirigo was developed by the Advanced Structures & Composites Center of the University of Maine. It curently holds two world records, being the world’s largest 3D printed boat, and being the world’s largest 3D printed object. At 25 feet long and 5,000 pounds, 3Dirigo was one of the University of Maine’s first examples of the applications of large-scale additive manufacturing. Printed in 72 hours in 2019, 3Dirigo showed the world that large-scale additive manufacturing is a viable option for manufacturing. You can see this technological masterpiece in Bucksport (August 1) and Bangor/Brewer (August 2). CLICK HERE for more information.

American Independence,

Maverick & Pioneer

Bucksport, Bangor, Brewer

American Cruise Line's fleet of small ships ply the waters of the Penobscot River and the coast of Maine and New England all summer. With just 90 to 130 guests, the well-appointed ships offer a comfortable and relaxing cruise experience. Guests can look forward to a variety of distinctive lounges, expansive observation decks, and large staterooms with private balconies, where you can admire the breathtaking landscapes. The American Independence will be in Bucksport on July 26-27 and Bangor on July 28 for your photo opportunities. CLICK HERE for more dates, schedules and itineraries.

CLICK HERE

to download Comprehensive 2026 Press Release

THIS JUST IN! The Harvey Gamage will now offer the following additional special one-way sailing excursions: A morning sail from Bucksport to Castine on Monday, August 3 departing at 7:45 a.m.; another sail from Castine to Stonington; a new sail from Stonington to North Haven; then a trip from North Haven to Rockland! For details and reservations, visit www.marinelearningproject.org/upcoming-sails