It was known that a lobster festival held in Nova Scotia was a big success, and it was then suggested that this activity might be the answer for the community. In addition, it was suggested that it was time the Maine lobster and the Maine lobster fishermen came into their own. On that basis the Camden-Rockport Lobster Festival was conceived as being the logical type of festival for this area.

It all began at a gathering of a group of citizens and summer folk in March of 1947, where a discussion arose as to what could be done about reviving the summer activities that Camden had prior to the war years. It was decided that having a marine festival of some sort would be appropriate. Having it become an annual affair was intentional from the beginning.