Pictured, from left, are Maine Lobster Festival President Tim Carroll, Festival Secretary Heidi Vanorse, Rockland Main Street, Inc. Executive Director Lorain K. Francis and Rockland Main Street, Inc. President Jeff Charland. Kelly Woods

ROCKLAND – As part of its ongoing commitment to give back to its community, the Maine Lobster Festival has donated $3,000 to Rockland Main Street, Inc. Rockland Main Street, Inc. is a focused partnership of residents, businesses and local government whose mission is to enhance and protect the unique sense of place and economic vitality of downtown Rockland. The festival’s donation helped the organization reach its fundraising goal to become a Main Street Community. In addition to its $3,000 donation, the festival pledged to give the group $3,000 for two additional years. “We are honored to receive support from the Maine Lobster Festival,” said Jeff Charland, President of Rockland Main Street. “With over 60 years of hosting great festivals and providing support for the community, the festival stands alone as a leader in Rockland. This financial contribution will allow Rockland Main Street to continue to work on behalf of the citizens, businesses and City of Rockland.” Rockland Main Street, Inc. is one of nine Main Street Communities in Maine. Affiliated with the National Trust Main Street Center and the Maine Downtown Center (Maine Development Foundation), it is a national program to sustain vibrant downtowns through historic preservation, economic restructuring, promotion, design and organization. Using the National Main Street Center's four point approach, it protects the community’s sense of place, creates jobs, generates new business and brings investments to the local economy The 63rd annual Maine Lobster Festival will take place Wednesday through Sunday Aug. 4-8 at Rockland’s Harbor Park. If you would like to become an active part of the festival, meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month at the Maine Lighthouse Museum, One Park Drive, Rockland, and are open to the public. If you want to become a member of the festival, dues are $10 a year. For more, visit www.MaineLobsterFestival.com.