(Photo by Sarah Thompson) A chariot of steel. Outgoing Princess Erin Dugan and her court arrive at the 72nd annual Maine Lobster Festival, Wednesday, July 31. The U.S. Coast Guard would go on to celebrate its anniversary five days later. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Warning: Sweet smile on the right. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Land ho! Don’t need a spy glass or a parrot to find land here. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Just remember, the heavier the treasure chest, the richer the loot....maybe. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Attack of the giant scissors!! (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) The Wednesday 12 p.m. crowd showed remarkable patience despite many of them standing in line for an hour in the hot sun....although many of them went straight into the souvenier/information tent for a brief shady recourse. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Sending that message-in-a-bottle home from sea camp. “Dear Mollusk, my barnacles itch. Please send kelp gel.” (Photo by Sarah Thompson) These ladies had prime volunteering location during the Wednesday, 12 to 4 p.m. shift. Shade, harbor breeze, unlimited hand dips into the touch tank. Score! (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Sometimes trying out the equipment is the best form of volunteering. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Actually, I thought this mermaid was holding a hot dog, not a conch shell. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Hi-speeding in the fast lane. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Miss Rockland International. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Jambalaya at the Lobster Festival. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) The Tempest or the temptress? (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Finding home. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Setting up for Midcoast Music Academy concert. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) You’ve already got her in a bubble. How many more safety precautions do you need? Just kidding. I’m well aware. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) The batter station. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Pancakes take shape as Sarah adds the customary blueberries. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) As Paul empties lunch/dinner cole slaw into tubs, volunteers behind him mix pancake batter for the morning breakfast. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Three tubs of cole slaw per day. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Sunday morning. The total pounds cooked will change later in the day. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) These clothes may be a little big. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Perhaps the bow isn’t the best place to sit. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Being saved from a sinking. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Button two snaps. Any two snaps. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Taking a moment to ponder. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) With previous experience in fish carrying, he knew how the fish would feel.... (Photo by Sarah Thompson) ...which may be why it immediately fell out of his hands. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Similar facial expressions. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Just my size? (Photo by Sarah Thompson) The over-the-shoulder carry. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Try smiling for your mother’s camera just after this look of disgust. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Sun, sand, and neon ocean critters. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) A lazy Sunday fishing trip. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) One more picture. Okay, maybe two more. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) A boy in a bikini. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Being led by an air dog. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Shrimp on a stick. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) The duck lottery game. Three chances to pick up a winning duck. This girl had a hard time choosing. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Break it this way, said the pirate. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Do you even like lobster? (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) A quiet moment interrupted by the click of a camera. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) The lunch rush. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Looking toward the sea...of people. Or, if you play the book-title poetry challenge – Love. The North. Coast. (Photo by Sarah Thompson)