BEST OF 2013: 2013 Maine Sea Goddess Coronation

Doug Mills  story and video
David Mills  photography
RCN America network

Rockland, Maine - All that the Sea Princesses have done in the last six weeks has led up to this one event, the 2013 Maine Sea Goddess Coronation on the main stage at the 66th Maine Lobster Festival.

It is a long day for the girls starting at 11 AM and not finishing till nearly 10:30 that evening.  The first order of business is the full rehearsal, the last rehearsal, for the evenings coronation. This is followed by a full afternoon of hair and makeup, with the girls arriving back on the festival grounds about 5 in the afternoon dressed and ready for the evenings festivities.

At 6:00 the girls make the rounds of the festival grounds, greeting all those who were attending the Maine Lobster festival and on to the Pearl Restaurant for dinner with the judges, the coronation officials and the police and military escorts for the girls.  Next stop the main stage where the next Maine Sea Goddess will be crowned.

By 8:00 the stage lights are on and it is time to start the 2013 Maine Sea Goddess Coronation. Each of the girls are introduced  and it is time to reveal the girl who was voted by all the girls as Miss Congeniality and the honor goes to Miss Zoe Proctor of Rockland.  Next King Neptune announces the Crowned Princess for 2013, Miss Hanna Plourde also of Rockland.  The new Maine Sea Goddess for 2013 is...Miss Milissa Philbrook of Warren.

Sea Princess Saga: First Practice

Doug Mills
RCN America Network

Rockland, Maine-It is a lot more than a winning smile, perfect hair, learning to walk in heels and that “princess wave” to become the next Maine Sea Goddess.  Over and over through the evening it is impressed on the girls that they are ambassadors not only for the Maine Lobster Festival but that they represent the state of Maine and all that this area has to offer.

 After some basic instruction on how to walk on the runway and how to stand and wave, it is time for each of the girls to practice the walk and the wave.  All the things you would expect of a practice for the Sea Goddess Coronation. But wait, there is more, much more. Each of these girls are expected to be able to answer questions about, the Maine Lobster Festival, the lobstering industry, tourism, local attractions, just about anything that concerns the State of Maine. Not only are they expected to learn as much as possible on these subjects, but each girl is required to volunteer at least four hours working on the festival setup.

This is all about creating Ambassadors for the State of Maine, this is about helping the next business and community leaders take their first steps toward those leadership positions.

Following the stage practice there is a question session. The girls introduce themselves and are expected to answer many questions about the festival, it’s history, the lobster industry and points of interest in the State of Maine.

The last order of business is the portrait photo session.

 How to walk, How to wave, How to stand, How to answer all those questions, How to stay composed when inside the butterflies are as big as a 747, these girls have a lot on their plate. It takes dedication and hard work for these girls.