Where the water meets the music: Flotilla to Fight Cancer returns to Casco Bay
Taylor Swift signing a guitar up for auction at the event. Photos courtesy of Don Campbell Music
On Saturday, Aug. 15, Casco Bay will become something a little more magical than usual.
Hundreds of boats will gather on the water for the 6th Annual Flotilla To Fight Cancer, a uniquely Maine celebration where lobster boats become concert stages, and the bay itself becomes the venue. Surrounding them will be a colorful flotilla of boats, kayaks, and paddle boards, filled with families, friends, and music lovers coming together for a cause that touches nearly every community in the state.
The event benefits the Maine Cancer Foundation, supporting efforts to help Mainers affected by cancer. Since the Flotilla began, it has raised nearly $400,000 — a remarkable testament to what can happen when a community pulls together. This year, organizers hope to make an even bigger splash.
But calling the Cow Island event a fundraiser doesn't quite capture what makes it special.
The music rippling across the bay sets a uniquely Maine vibe to the event.
The floating concert is led by Maine musician Don Campbell, whose performance brings locally-sourced country twang to the festivities. Joining Campbell in the lineup is the Andi Fawcett Duo, which rounds out the atmosphere with energy stirred into their soulful sound.
This year's event also offers a truly extraordinary auction opportunity for music fans and collectors: a genuine Taylor Swift Baby Taylor acoustic guitar, signed by Swift and authenticated by Taylor Guitars.
The 3/4-size guitar was specially designed by Taylor Guitars for Swift, making it compact enough to travel easily while retaining the character of a full-size instrument. This particular guitar was produced and signed in 2010, during Swift's acclaimed Fearless Tour — a pivotal chapter in her career, when the young country-pop star was rapidly becoming a global phenomenon.
So whether you arrive by lobster boat, kayak, or paddle board, or simply come to soak in the atmosphere, the Flotilla to Fight Cancer promises an experience that feels distinctly Maine.
It is music on the water. It is neighbors helping neighbors. It is a beautiful summer day with a meaningful purpose.
And, most of all, it's a reminder that some of Maine's best traditions are the ones we create together.
Tickets for the event are available on Don Campbell's website.