• Festival of Lights: The second Saturday in December is the usual date for the Festival of Lights. The Water Street store fronts are decorated and the Eastport Gallery is alive with festivities, starting at 10 in the morning. Santa and his elves parade in the streets. Decorated boats form a parade in front of the Breakwater while the community Christmas tree is lit near the Fish Pier. Santa waves from atop the Coast Guard boat while festive music fills the chilled evening air and people gather around burn barrels. Cocoa and treats are enjoyed by all while Santa hears children's wishes at the Peavey Library.


Most of the hills are now paved but in the past the time of the Festival of Lights was a time for sledding. On February 4, 2002, Paul Richardson, 90 years old wrote his memories of wintertime in Eastport when he was a child.

When we were kids, sliding on Adams Street Hill was the thing to do. We'd take Flexible Flyers, most were Model 2A's that could carry 3 daredevils. Usually snow and ice covered the surfaces. By the time we hit Water Street, we were making 50 MPH, at least. There was a slight rise entering Water Street. The sled would become airborne for about 20+ feet and land about half way down by my house. When we crossed Madison Street, we went down the present road and onto Blanchard's wharf, dragging feet all the way from Madison Street so that we wouldn't go off the end of wharf. Fortunately, Dave Blanchard had the wharf cleared of snow and ice. Not much traffic in those days. Yeah. Some close calls. I haven't seen a sled in years.

Dr. Bibber's(DDS) son, Reid, had a big Flexible Flyer. Lived in a large house where Bangor Savings is now. He'd get a load of 5 aboard, at top of Fort Hill, slide all the way to South End and past Battery Street. Then to top of Princess Hill and slide back and usually cross the RR tracks. Walk back up to top of Fort Hill and do it again. North End Hill was pretty good also. Have to start about where Karmann lives, at 1 Clark. Sometimes wind up on the beach. Usually made a turn where new home for assisted living is and go down into field or pile up in snowbank. Anyway, we had lots of fun and kept out of trouble, most of the time.

Many locations in Eastport have free copies of a map detailing the Eastport/Lubec Quoddy Loop vicinity. Carry one with you. This map details roads and ferry routes connecting the entire area. You'll enjoy each of these day trips more fully if you have a camera and binoculars always at hand. At every turn you have the opportunity for a moose to appear, an eagle to soar overhead, or some other breathtaking sight to awaken your senses. Many days you'll want a sweater or sweatshirt within easy reach. Bring along water and food so you'll have the freedom to explore in every direction.

Eastport, Maine: Easternmost City in the U.S.A.