Huge lobster roll, lots of music at Old Port Fest

PORTLAND — The 36th Annual Old Port Festival takes place Sunday, June 7.

This year's unofficial kick-off to summer features seven music stages throughout the Old Port, an exotic petting zoo, rock climbing wall, amusement rides for kids – and what promoters hope will be a record-breaking lobster roll.

The festival kicks off at 11 a.m. with an Exchange Street parade. Bands of all genres play throughout the afternoon and there will be arts and crafts for sale along Exchange Street, pony rides on Newbury Street and kids entertainment at Canal Plaza on Middle Street.

Former "American Idol" contestant Elliot Yamin is scheduled to perform at the Q97.9 stage on Dana Street at 1:45 p.m.

Local favorite Pete Kilpatrick is scheduled to play at 1 p.m. on the WCLZ stage at Silver and Fore Streets. Jason Spooner takes to the same stage at 3 p.m.

Portland's future rock stars jam out on the Maine Academy of Modern Music stage at Middle and Temple Streets all day.

There should be no shortage of lobster roll at this year's festival. The West End Neighborhood Association has teamed up with Linda Bean's Perfect Maine to try to break the "Guinness Book of World Records" longest lobster roll record.

A 60-foot hot-dog roll, courtesy of J.J. Nissan, is being trucked to Commercial Street by flatbed for the event. Once there, a mixture of 45 pounds of lobster meat and Miracle Whip will be slathered on the giant roll.

The roll will be placed on tables in front of the Portland Lobster Co. After it is assembled and measured, it will be cut into 4-inch sections and sold with chips and a soda. Funds raised will benefit children in the West End.

The Old Port Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a full schedule go to portlandmaine.com and select the Old Port Fest link under Seasonal Events.  

This story was edited on June 3 at 10:30 a.m.