Portland Press Herald Glass Negative Collection

Embarkation days were declared business holidays in Wiscasset and the morning of these days "principally taken up by the members of the expedition posing for newspaper and news reel camera men."

A newspaper described the farewell ceremony of 1926 as a “second Flag Day” with people traveling over road and water -- via sailing vessels and houseboats -- to bid farewell and give their blessings to MacMillan and his crew.

State Highway officers arrived at noon to manage the traffic and congestion. Many “No Parking” signs were placed in front of the temporary soft-drink booths.