This month’s issue takes us to a place that is as kinetic as it is beautiful: the Kennebunks. Anyone who has spent any stretch of time here knows just how special it is. They also know it is a place in constant motion. A lot has happened in these towns since last year’s Kennebunkport Festival. In addition to enjoying our five-day celebration of food, wine, art, and music set against the quintessential seaside backdrop, this year’s festivalgoers will also find a host of newly opened restaurants and hotels in the area. There’s the new Boathouse Hotel & Marina and David’s Kennebunkport, the new restaurant helmed by Portland chef and restaurateur David Turin. Ocean, the restaurant at the newly managed Cape Arundel Inn, is headed up by chef Pierre Gignac, formerly of 98 Provence in Ogunquit. Restaurant Grissini is under new ownership and now called Abbondante, offering family-style Italian. And the Grand Hotel, perched on Chase Hill overlooking the Kennebunk River and Dock Square, is the latest addition to Kennebunkport Resort Collection‘s stable of luxury accommodations. This year’s Festival continues to evolve positively as well: two signature events, Cellardoor Winery’s Pop the Kennebunks and the Grand Tasting, will be held on the water’s edge at the Pilot House Boatyard, located right in the heart of town.

The stories in this issue get at the undeniable magnetism of the Kennebunks, the reasons why people are drawn here from near and far to live, work, wine, dine, stay, play, and build. We feature three stunning homes: a historic little cottage in Cape Porpoise (Cottage by the Sea, page 52), a sleek and stylish family compound near the beach (Earthy Chic, page 82), and a waterfront retreat on a slice of land with sentimental value (Past Becomes Present, page 65).

We hope you’ll join us in the Kennebunks this June 4–9 as we kick off the summer. To learn more, visit kennebunkportfestival.com.