Down East (magazine)

Down East: The Magazine of Maineis the principal general interest monthlymagazinecovering the U.S. state ofMaine.It is based inRockport, Maine, with a second office inYarmouth, Maine.It covers a range of topics including travel,food, the arts, the environment,politics,business, and lifestyle in the state of Maine.
Down Eastwas founded in 1954 by Duane Doolittle and loosely modeled onThe New Yorker.Herbert Jacob Seligmanwrote for it in the 1950s including an entry onMarsden Hartley.
Down Eastenjoys the largest paid circulation of any publication in the state, peaking at more than 80,000 during the summer,with 53% of its readership aged 55 and above, 38% aged 35–54, and 9% 18–34. Global readership exceeds 380,000.It is Maine's only audited and verified magazine. The magazine is published twelve times a year by its parent company, Down East Enterprise, Inc., which also publishesShooting Sportsmanmagazine.In 2013, Down East Enterprise sold a book publishing arm toRowman & Littlefield.
In 2013, Kathleen Fleury became the first woman to serve as editor in chief, a position she held until 2018.AuthorPaul Doironis a former editor in chief. Will Grunewald is the current editor in chief and Bob Fernald is President, CEO, and Publisher.Martha StewartandSam Siftonhave served as guest editors.
Down East MagazineandVermont Life Magazinetogether founded the International Regional Magazine Association in 1960.The magazine is a member of the International Regional Magazine Association, theCity and Regional Magazine Association, and theCirculation Verification Council.
Down Eastcompiles an annual "Best of Maine" list, making recommendations on where to "eat, drink, shop, stay, and unwind" in the state.
The 1,700-square-foot Down East Marketplace, complete with an "Experience Maine" interactive kiosk andDown East–branded TV programming about Maine, is located in the Portland Jetport, selling magazines, books, food, clothing, travel accessories, and gifts.
The magazine held the inaugural Down East Lobster Roll Festival in July 2017 inPortland, Maine, with a central focus of selecting the bestlobster roll. The Winner of the "World's Best Lobster Roll" went to Freshies Lobster inPark City, Utah. The restaurant uses lobster meat andNew England–style buns flown in from Maine.BeetleCat, of Atlanta, Georgia, took top honors in 2018.
In November 2021,Down Eastcompiled a list of Maine's "70 Over 70," highlighting "folks who've broken barriers, who are considered heroes or legends in their communities, who've shown extraordinary dedication to their passions and plunged into new ones at an age when many of us are slowing down."One example is Virginia Oliver, a 101-year-old resident of Rockland, Maine who has been lobstering for more than nine decades.
Maine Homes by Down Eastwas a quarterly publication aimed at Maine homeowners and those interested in the Maine real estate market.It ceased publication in fall 2023.Maine Homesfeatured stories about Maine architecture, landscaping, interior design, and other topics.It began in 1994 with the website MaineHomes.com.In 2018, the magazine launched the Maine Homes Design Awards competition, showcasing Maine amateurs and professionals who create "world-class homes all over the state."
Sarah Stebbins, a native ofCousins Island, Maine, served as editor of the publication.Ben Williamson was the magazine's photography director.