Celebrating Maritime - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

Celebrating Maritime

Despite poor weather forecasts, organizers of this year's Lake Champlain Maritime Festival say they're staying on course.

Tara Perkins - Director Public Relations, "Vending, crafts, food, and free music all day long on multiple stages along with our ticketed concerts. We've just got something for everyone. We estimate throughout the festival about 35-thousand people."

The celebration kicked off Thursday and runs through Sunday. Old-fashioned boats on display sparkle nearly as much as the water, drawing spectators as well as those with a high-seas mentality.

Jana Beagley, a.k.a. "Maggie Scratch" said, "Oh it's been great, we've been kidnapping people left and right we started kidnapping the children, but the parents wouldn't rescue them."

Local theater group "Knightmare Vermont" put a scare into those who crossed the theatre troupe's path.

Sarah McMillan of Burlington was one of the victims, she said, "Quite terrifying in a strange sort of way, but you know, my kids are good with swords."

Organizers and parents made plans in case early sun turned to rain - as happened Friday - but there's little chance of cancellation.

"The shows are rain-or-shine so it has to be severe weather for that to be the case, so yeah, a little rain isn't going to keep us down." Said Perkins.

"If it rains the ECHO Museum is right here so that's actually what we and I think half of town did was go inside." added McMillan.

However, not everyone's future will look bright if things don't go to plan.

When asked if she was concerned about a mutiny, Jana Beagley whispered, "Always."