Harpswell has been the setting for an episode of the television show “Dock & Dine,” a commercial, and photo shoots by a major retailer in recent months.
“I guess Harpswell is becoming very popular for commercials and photo shoots,” Town Administrator Kristi K. Eiane said at a selectmen’s meeting June 24.
During the meeting, the board of selectmen had learned that a commercial shoot would close the Cribstone Bridge periodically on June 25 and had approved an application for a series of photo shoots at town properties on June 27.
The commercial shoot was to take place for about five hours and would close the bridge for multiple five-minute increments over an hourlong period. Harpswell emergency services were aware of the plans, according to Fire Administrator Art Howe.
Two days later, a crew from Recreational Equipment Inc., the outdoor retailer better known as REI, planned to photograph models hiking at the Giant’s Stairs from sunrise to midmorning, the Devil’s Back trails from midmorning to midafternoon, and Cliff Trail from late afternoon into evening.
The shoots were to involve two models and four crew members — a photographer, a photographer’s assistant, a producer, and a location manager. The shoots would not close the trails, according to Eiane. The selectmen agreed to charge a $900 fee.
The episode of “Dock & Dine” focused on Bailey Island. Several island businesses made appearances: the Captain Lawrence E. Johnson House, Casco Bay Sights-N-Lights, Morse’s Cribstone Grill, and Seaside Creations. The episode also featured the Cribstone Bridge and Giant’s Stairs.
“Dock & Dine” airs on News Center Maine. Now in its second season, the show previously visited Harpswell for its pilot in 2020. The 2020 show featured Allen’s Seafood, The Dolphin Marina and Restaurant, and a look at Harpswell fisheries with the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association and local lobstermen.
The flurry of activity comes in addition to the making of a short film on Harpswell with the working title “A Mother’s Nature.” Harpswell was previously the location of the critically acclaimed 2019 film “Blow the Man Down.”
