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See you next year!

WALK THE WORKING

WATERfront

EXPLORING THE PIERS AND WHARVES

JOIN US!
May 31, 2025
11AM-3PM

Celebrate the people, businesses, and infrastructure

that comprise the heart of Casco Bay's ocean economy.

 

From Becky's Diner to the Maine State Pier,

we welcome you onto Portland’s working wharves

to tour vessels, see real working gear & hands-on exhibits, ask questions about the marine industry and sea farming with commercial fishermen, and most importantly 

to celebrate Maine’s coastal cultural identity and

elevate the value and attention paid to our

extraordinary working waterfront.

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Event Hosts

COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY EFFORT

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Learn more about the

event's mission and history.

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2025 EVENT Map

EXPERIENCES

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MEET FISHERMEN

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Visit Rocky Bottom Fisheries at Portland Pier to meet local lobstermen, see a demonstration on how a lobster trap works and tour their facility. 

 

See commercial fishing nets in action at “The Desert” on Merrils’s Wharf and learn more about the techniques used by commercial fishermen while at sea.

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Tour Coast Guard Vessels

 

On Wrights Wharf, the United States Coast Guard invites visitors to tour their 87’ coast guard ship and the 140’ icebreaking tug. They have a Response boat and an AIDS to Navigation boat on display along with information at the CG Auxiliary booth, Law Enforcement booth and also the Pollution Response Specialist booth which include an opportunity to meet with the pollution responders and the drone operations team. If weather permits they will conduct a helicopter rescue swimmer demonstration!

 

Over at the Maine State Pier, take a sail on a historic schooner or tour the City fireboat and talk to the firefighters who keep Casco Bay Island residents connected to Portland’s emergency services!

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Learn ALL ABOUT  SEAFOOD

 

Along the walk, there are many opportunities to learn more about our local marine industry and sample seafood products, purchase snacks, and stay hydrated with cold water available at the Eimskip water station. Don’t miss Portland’s iconic Harbor Fish Market on Custom House Wharf! Dating back to the 1800s, Harbor Fish Market is a Portland waterfront landmark and the perfect authentic fish market experience with a large variety of fish and other seafood, much of which is caught or farmed in the Gulf of Maine.

 

Nearby, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute is celebrating 20 years on the waterfront! Stop by to meet our experts and dive into topics like aquaculture, coastal and marine economics, sustainable seafood, and more. Try your hand at a virtual trap-sorting activity in the Cohen Center for Interactive Learning or get an up-close look at one of our research vessels—there’s something for everyone to enjoy! 

Inform the future

 

Find posted signs along Commercial Street inviting you to share your pictures and observations on the weather, water level, and impact concerns associated with localized coastal flooding. As part of GMRI’s Coastal Flooding Community Science Project, this data will inform and prioritize future decisions to support coastal community resilience planning. Help your community gather data around high tides and storms, anytime, all year long!

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Participating Organizations

Bangs Island Mussels

Becky's Diner

Big Fish Gyotaku

Casco Bay Artisans

Casco Bay Estuary Partnership

Department of Marine Resources

DiMilllo's on the Water

Friends of Casco Bay

Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Harbor Fish Market

Luke's Lobster

Maine Coast Fisherman's Association

Maine Coastal Program

Maine Port Authority

Nanuq Kayaking

One Climate Future

Portland Fire Department

Portland Fish Exchange

Portland Harbor Master

Portland Schooner Co.

Rocky Bottom Fisheries

Seafarers' Friends

The Waterfront Alliance

Union Wharf Market

United States Coast Guard

Upstream Trucking Co

Widgery Wharf

Thanks to all who make this event happen each year!

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