Maine State Aquarium draws a crowd when it reopens after a 4-year hiatus [Video]

BOOTHBAY HARBOR — As sunny skies and blue ocean waters made for a picturesque Maine day in the village of West Boothbay Harbor, bubbling fish tanks, rare blue lobsters and interactive exhibits brought visitors of all ages to the Maine State Aquarium, which reopened Wednesday for the first time since it closed in 2020.

Maine’s only aquarium reopened during Boothbay Harbor’s Windjammer Days Festival after the four-year closure that began because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and was extended after officials discovered damage to walls, floors and electrical systems. It has seen just over $1 million in renovations in that time, which included adding new displays, repairing walls and floors and improving pumps and filters in the tanks.

Within 15 minutes of opening its doors, the aquarium – which is small and contained to one room – was at full capacity and stopped letting people inside. A line of eager attendees waited outside, trickling in as others left the building.

Inside the …