It's that time of year again! The Annual MS Regatta Harborfest is taking place this coming weekend, and, with over one-hundred sailing vessels, it is a sight to behold on Portland Harbor. The Regatta event takes place Saturday the 21st. The festival has made some changes over the years but the Regatta itself is among the longest running of the events with the MS Powerboat Poker Run in it's 8th year and the MS Tugboat Muster in it's 9th year.
The Tugboat Muster starts at the Maine State Pier and is best viewed from the Pier, Eastern Promenade or Bug Light Park in South Portland. The MS Harborfest Powerboat Poker Run is a fun family event on the protected waters of Portland Harbor and Casco Bay. After a parade around Portland Harbor, boats travel to area marinas to pick up a card-stop tag before tying up at DiMillo's Marina for the party. Under the big tent, the card-stop tags are exchanged for playing cards. The highest poker hands win valuable prizes.
The MS Regatta begins with a spectacular yacht parade into Portland Harbor where more than 100 sailing vessels show their colors with skippers, crew and sponsors aboard. After the parade, the boats begin jockeying for positions in 12 different fleets at the start line off Fort Gorges in Casco Bay. Skippers, crew and sponsors return back to Handy Boat after the completion of the race for awards, recognition and a wrap-up barbeque.
The MS Harborfest started as "Regatta '82", an afternoon sailboat race and celebrity auction with the proceeds going to the Maine Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. By 1983 the race was officially named the MS Regatta. The very first year the young event brought out 39 boats and raised $12,638. From the beginning cruising and racing sailboats have participated side by side to fulfill a promise to their individual fund-donating sponsors. The promise continues to this day: to represent their sponsor by doing their best, to support this cause and to be a sportsman. By the 10th Annual MS Regatta in 1991, the events had raised $217,000. The million-dollar mark was surpassed in 2003.
It's a wonderful way to spend the day on the waterfront for the entire family!
If you would like to volunteer, or make a donation, please contact the Maine Chapter of the National MS Society:
National MS Society, Maine Chapter
170 US Route One, Suite 200
Falmouth, ME 04105
(800) 526-8890 office
(207) 781-7961 fax
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