How's this for fun? A complimentary river cruise on one of two historic vessels, followed by a luscious lobster dinner and - to top it off - music by Michael Johnson, the pop and country music star. Sound enticing?

Well, it's all happening at the Boothbay Region Land Trust's third annual Lobster Bake and Cruise Saturday, Aug. 2 at 4 p.m. at the Ocean Point Marina in East Boothbay. Guests will also have first crack at the giant Art Show and Sale, the OP Marina grounds. A silent auction includes a two-day, one-night trip aboard Brown Eyed Girl, Joe and Judy Metz's 53-foot Amel Ketch; a $650 gift certificate for WoodenBoat School in Brooklin; a day aboard lobsterman Craig Sproul's lobster boat; a handmade Lightship Nantucket Basket crafted and signed by a BRLT volunteer; and "School of Alewives," the color photograph by Dennis Freiland, winner of best in show at the 2007 Maine Photography Show.

The historic vessels are George McEvoy's meticulously maintained classic, Nellie G II, which served Squirrel Island for more than 35 years as its primary link to the mainland. The mission steamer Sunbeam still visits Maine islands to hold services on summer Sundays. The 45-minute cruises are offered to 4 p.m. ticket holders on a first-come, first-served basis, with room for only 50. But, should there be a demand, an additional cruise will be available after dinner.

The lobster bake will offer bounty from local seas and more: two lobsters, mussels, clams (and broth), fresh summer corn, potato, roll, and melted butter. Maine blueberry cake will finish off this feast. Throughout the evening, an assortment of beverages will be offered, including wine, beer, soft drinks, lemonade, water and coffee.

As the dinner winds down, singer Michael Johnson, who spent a youthful summer singing at the Rendezvous (now the Lawnmeer Inn) on Southport, will serenade the audience. Johnson credits his start as a professional performer to that summer of 1965, when fans packed the hotel and hung out on the waterfront lawn.

"It was the first time I was taken seriously as an artist and given real encouragement," he said. That eventually lead to his acclaim as a country music and pop singer, with songs like songs "Bluer Than Blue," "The Night Won't Last Forever," and "Give Me Wings," the Billboard Country song of 1986. Johnson was slated to perform at the 2007 Boat Builders Festival, but suffered a sudden heart problem. He is back, fully energized and eager to return to a place he loves and appreciates.

Once again, the lobster bake kicks off this year's Boat Builders Festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, with tours of two shipyards, a sail loft, and tours of boats including the 125-foot schooner Spirit of Massachusetts . Spirit will share the harbor with other boats in and out of the water. A full day of exhibits, maritime presentations, kids' activities, music, lots of seafood and home baked pastries, and the second day of the Art Show, where the 2008 festival poster, featuring Earle Barlow's original watercolor depicting an 1890 scene of the festival location, will be on sale.

Tickets for the Lobster Bake and Cruise are $100 per person, with a portion tax deductible. They will be sold through the Land Trust office, 1 Oak St., Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538, or online at www.brlt.org .

For more information, call (207) 633-4818. Tickets for the festival ($12 in advance, $15 at the gate; kids to 18 free) are also available at the office, online and at the Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce.