The Maine Ocean Festival came into existence when the staff at the Oceanarium brainstormed about creating our first annual fundraiser to support our mission of providing educational exhibits and programs for all ages on local ecology, marine biology and research, citizen science, dark skies, fisheries and aquaculture, and STEM education in partnership with Maine schools.<\/p>\n
With our focus on the Gulf of Maine and families, creating an event inspired by World Ocean Day, held annually, seemed like a no-brainer. World Ocean Day unites and rallies the world to protect and restore our blue planet and it seemed a perfect backdrop for our festival.<\/p>\n
The Maine Ocean Festival will host speakers<\/a> discussing the challenges and opportunities to the Gulf of Maine as well as educate us on the marine life that exists beneath the ocean\u2019s surface and along our shores. The speakers will challenge us to take action and to think deeply about how our individual efforts can aid in the health and existence of the Gulf of Maine.<\/p>\n We will also host a carnival with games, art, live music<\/a>, and local Maine artists where children can play, interact, and learn about the Ocean.<\/p>\n