, will adorn the pier in East Boothbay for the annual festival scheduled for Sunday, August 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The early news from the 2008 Boothbay Boat Builders Festival committee is that the 125-foot schooner, Spirit of Massachusetts , will adorn the pier in East Boothbay for the annual festival scheduled for Sunday, August 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Owned by Ocean Classroom Foundation, now housed in Booth-bay Harbor, Spirit

was launched in 1984 at the Charleston Navy Yard in Boston. She was modeled after the 1889 fishing schooner Fredonia,

a Gloucester fishing schooner, widely known as "fast and able" vessels. Spirit

is one of three vessels operated by Ocean Classroom. They offer opportunities for students and teachers throughout the country to go to sea, for a semester during the school year, and one- or two-week stints in summer.

Alix Thorne, president of the Ocean Classroom board, said that guests at the festival will be invited to board the schooner, where members of the classroom crew and some staff will be available to answer questions.

Through Ocean Classroom programs, students ranging from middle school through college have the opportunity to explore the coast from Maine to Nova Scotia during the summer. En route they stop in a variety of ports, including Lunenberg and Matinicus Rock. A crew is currently sailing the Caribbean Sea, spending the semester from January to May sailing, working and learning. Thorne said that these students participate fully in the life and operation of the ship.

Spirit

is joining other working and pleasure boats at the East Boothbay docks on festival Sunday. Visitors can also tour East Boothbay's famous shipyards, the Ocean Point Marina, and Nat Wilson's Sail Loft. Small boat builders will be available with their boats sharing knowledge and skills with the public. Adding to the variety of the festival will be lectures about boats and other nautical topics, live music, marine exhibits, and demonstrations. The popular activities tent for kids will return. And not to be forgotten is the gigantic seafood spread and two-day nautical art show and sale, this year featuring posters by Earle Barlow, celebrated East Boothbay artist.

Festival tickets are $15, with children admitted free. The festival will be held at the Ocean Point Marina and Route 96 in East Booth-bay. Proceeds of the event will benefit the Boothbay Region Land Trust's ongoing conservation efforts to preserve land as well as the working waterfront. The BRLT, established in 1980, protects a broad range of coastal, island, forest, meadow and wetland properties, with trails open to the public.

For further information call (207) 633-4818, or visit the BRLT Web site at www.bbrlt.org .