Sailors from various ships in port for the Maine Centennial held a tug of war contest on July 1, 1920 at Bayside Park.

Celebrations were held in 1920 throughout the state to celebrate Maine's achieving statehood in 1820.

The celebration committee organized athletic competitions between visiting servicemen, including tug of war and whaleboat races. Americans, Canadians, Portuguese, Japanese and British sailors, marines and veterans took part.