Coming to Camden this Memorial Day weekend? Get out of the city and enjoy small town charm. A parade and historic boat sailing can make for a fun weekend. The Camden Memorial Parade starts at 9:30am and by 10:30am it is over. It is a short, but very honorable parade. The high school band, the Lincolnville band and many area organizations march through the downtown to the local cemetery. The parade is headed by the honor guard that is very serious about their part. They play taps at the downtown memorial and then march forward to the cemetery where a few words are said. I usually rush my kids to the Rockport parade right after the Camden parade. It is the same parade, but if you stand on the bridge by the entrance of Rockport Harbor you get to see the honor guard throw a wreath into the water as they do a gun salute. It is a nice thing for the kids to see. Another fun, fundraising activity this weekend is the West Bay Rotary Duck Derby
May 24, 2014; 7pm-9pm
Down the Megunticook River to Camden Harbor
Join us midday for the annual fundraiser that pits bright yellow numbered ducks in a race down the Megunticook River to Camden Harbor. Prizes awarded to the “owners” of the first ducks to cross the finish line. Proceeds benefit local non-profits/charities and Rotary International projects. For more information, call 207-975-7510; www.westbayrotaryofmaine.org
SO here is the really good news: All the ice cream shops will be open. RiverDucks opened yesterday and we were there to greet the summer ice cream selections. Camden Cone will also be open and the new addition this year: Spoon – with their frozen yogurt selections make for a fun after dinner treat. Make sure you have dinner reservations at Long Grain, Atlantica and Fresh. Peter Otts has moved to the harbor side spot and might be a nice option also (I haven’t been there yet). Windward House Bed and Breakfast still has rooms available and is offering a free bottle of bubbly upon arrival for new reservation. Make a reservation now. http://www.windwardhouse.com/ 
Don’t forget to also get out on one of the historic Daysailers. Schooner Olad an Schooner Surprise are both in the water.