EASTPORT, Maine — The secret to Eastport’s success has been “shameless self promotion,” according to the city manager.
“We’re not afraid to try,” Elaine Abbott told members of the Machias Rotary Club on Aug. 25. “We’re not afraid to fail. We know what we’re celebrating and we love a party.”
One such party took place Aug. 1 when the city welcomed a bronze mermaid statue by artist Richard Klyver.
The unveiling of the statue kicked off what was called “Bay Day,” an all-day celebration that included activities such as toilet races and an open air movie.
Abbott said Eastport is situated 7 miles off Route 1, which means the city of approximately 1,300 residents is not always an obvious stop for tourists. “We’re kind of isolated. People don’t buzz by when they’re on Route 1. We have to bring them there,” Abbott said.
Festivals help to bring people in. Eastport is the site of four major festivals each year — New Year’s Eve, the 4th of July Festival, the Eastport Salmon & Seafood Festival (set for Sept. 6) and the Eastport Pirate Festival (set for Sept. 11-13).
Each of these is run by a different group and provides a different experience, Abbott said.
The New Year’s Eve festival, for example, is billed as an international event. It includes both a maple leaf drop and a sardine drop. In addition, it marks the start of the new year in both Canada and the United States.
“Eastport is being recognized by national and international media because it’s a little bit crazy,” she said.
Eastport also works to make visitors feel welcome. When cruise ships visit, for example, merchants set up tents to provide information on where to go and what to see. Shuttles are provided so that visitors can visit places such as Raye’s Mustard, which is not within walking distance of downtown.
When officials noticed a lot of visitors coming on bicycles or bringing bikes with them, the city purchased and installed bicycle racks.
“They were no sooner loaded off the trucks when people were putting bicycles into them,” Abbott said.
City merchants sell items such as “I (heart) Eastport” stickers. Abbott said she is thrilled when she is out of town and sees one of those.
“Eastport is pretty shameless about promoting itself,” she said.
Abbott also was nominated to be among about a dozen business and community leaders from across Maine to take a trip to Denmark to see how that country is aiming to become carbon neutral.
“I’m very proud and very pleased to be a part of this group,” she said.
She left Aug. 28 and will return Sept. 6, she said.
“I thought her talk was superb,” said Wayne Peters, Rotary program coordinator.
He chooses speakers by asking for input from club members “and anyone else who offers up ideas,” he said. He goes outside the immediate Machias area in order to keep the pool of potential speakers from becoming too small.