Maine Postcards from the Edge

Voted one of the top 10 Great Streets in America for 2008, by the American Planning Association (APA), “Commercial Street stands out for its unique character, strong sense of place, and mixture of uses involving marine and fishing industries, tourism, retail trade, commercial offices, and residential housing.” The street “…blurs the distinctions among working waterfront, downtown Main Street, and historic tourist district. It is a place where moored fishing boats, lobster pots and fishing gear, and crying seagulls mix with downtown office employees going to work, residents living in dockside condominiums, and tourists visiting restaurants and boutique shops. It’s a dynamic yet precariously balanced amalgam crafted through years of debate and compromise.” For more on the APA’s review click here.

I live here, so it’s hard to maintain a detached perspective. The success of Commercial Street, the Old Port shopping district, and the cities reputation as one of the best cities for foodies in the northeast has made life in the warmer months seem a bit like living in DC, where I lived before returning to Maine. The difference is the exciting mix of sophistication and downeast  authenticity, with it’s concomitant lack of pretense, makes this a wonderful and comfortable place to live, work, and vacation. All of this probably explains why Portland has been among the choicest ports of call for cruise lines. On the day I was filming the Queen Victoria (the newest of the Cunard liners) was in port. As you’ll see in the video below, she’s a great looking ship. For more on The Queen click here.

Enjoy

Fast Tube by Casper

The Portland Sidewalk Art Festival happens every year around the 3rd Saturday in August * It usually runs all day from around 9 am until 4 pm (Portland closes Congress Street, to all but pedestrian traffic and art stalls, from Monument Sq. to almost Longfellow Sq.), and includes about 300 Artists. This year they had about 40,000 visitors attend the event. It’s the oldest and largest one-day art festival in Northern New England – 2009 marks it’s 44th consecutive year. Four (4) cash prizes are awarded. Each participating artist may designate one work for consideration.

Many people spend hours at the show as a way to refresh the spirit. You can take a virtual tour in just over 7 minutes by viewing the video below.

* This year, the Sidewalk Art Festival was on the 4th Saturday because the month began on a Saturday.

Fast Tube by Casper