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 Tent... all commemorating the maritime history of the lower Penobscot River basin!
© Penobscot Maritime Heritage Association 2022
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!
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 & 2 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Donations are accepted. She will also arrive in Castine on Monday, August 3 with students.
High school students can sign up for a special Penobscot Bay Expedition from August 2–7 2026, boarding in Bucksport on Sunday at 1 p.m. and offloading in Rockland on Friday at 4 p.m. Students will sail through Penobscot Bay with stops at Maine Maritime Academy, Hurricane Island, and Stonington. These Discovery Voyages are immersive, hands-on sailing programs designed for students entering 8th through 12th grade. While living and working at sea, participants engage directly with maritime history, marine science, and ocean systems, all within the context of Maine’s working waterfront and maritime heritage.
Students are not passive observers—they are active crew members. Each participant takes part in sailing the vessel, standing watch, and contributing to daily shipboard operations. This real-world environment fosters the development of critical life and workforce skills, including leadership, communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving.
Each voyage is intentionally limited to a maximum of 23 students to ensure a highly engaged, team-oriented experience aboard the vessel. $1,800. For details and register, CLICK HERE.
Special Day Cruise
aboard the Harvey Gamage!
On Friday, July 31 at 7:30 a.m. the Harvey Gamage departs on a once-in-a-lifetime day trip up the Penobscot River where she will dock at Bangor's Cruise Ship Dock for lunch and will return to Bucksport by 4 p.m. Sign up for this incredible opportunity ASAP. Space is limited.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Presumpscot & Merrymeeting II
Bangor, Brewer
Two 32' long Whitby (Cornish) Pilot Gigs will be giving FREE rowing lessons and will participate in races with teams of 6 rowers of local dignitaries and athletes! You can see these boats at the Bangor Waterfront docks on Sunday, August 2 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Watch the races from the beautiful riverfront walkways in Bangor & Brewer. Bring a chair and cheer on your team! 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, Tuiga &
Notre Dame des Flots
Castine
See these crown jewels of the Principality of Monaco in Castine Harbor on Wednesday, July 29. Viola, a Fife-designed gaff cutter, built in 1908, and one of the crown jewels of the Yacht Club of Monaco joins Tuiga, a 1909 Fife-design that serves as the YCM's flagship. 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.
Viola
Tuiga
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 10-15 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.!
NOTE: These shows are weather dependent.
Sailing Ships Maine
Bangor, Brewer
Sailing Ships Maine 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 Marina 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 AdvancedStructures & 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 Penobcot 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.
Other ships may be in Buckport, Castine and Bangor from
July 28-August 3.
Check back often for updates!