Maine Lobster Festival Organizers Ban Politics From Annual Parade

ROCKLAND, Maine - Want some politics with your lobster? Not this year.
 
The organizers of the annual Maine Lobster Festival are kicking politics out of the event's parade this coming summer. The festival's board voted last week to exclude all political organizations and candidates from the annual parade, which is set for Aug. 4.
 
The application to participate in this year's parade says the parade is a non-partisan, secular and neutral private event that "celebrates our community, our people and our lobsters.'' It says for that reason the festival will "no longer be accepting political applications.''
 
The Maine Lobster Festival is a celebration of the state's signature seafood item, which is also the source of one of Maine's largest industries. It takes place on the Rockland waterfront every summer and draws thousands.