Most people will tell you that besides lobsters in every trap, there’s nothing a Maine lobsterman loves more than a good race, whether it be while running in from the grounds or at one of the summer’s races in the Maine Lobster Boat Racing circuit. Last year and the previous year there were 11 races — but not this year.
As of Sunday, May 3, the threat of the covid-19 pandemic cloud knocked off one lobster boat race and another on Monday. The first to go was the first race of the season, the 58th Annual Charles Begin Memorial Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races, scheduled for June 20. Then on Monday it was announced the Harpswell races (July 26) would not be held.
As far as the other nine races, Jon Johansen, president of Maine Lobster Boat Racing, feels “everyone else is onboard,” including:
- Bass Harbor (June 28)
- Moosabec Reach (July 4)
- Friendship (July 19)
- Winter Harbor (August 8)
- Long Island (August 15)
- Portland’s MS Harborfest Races (August 16)
- Pemaquid’s Merritt Brackett Races (August 16)
- Rockland (June 21) may be moved up one day to take the Boothbay slot
The only other race he’s worried about is Stonington (July 12). That said, it seems nothing is certain as long as covid-19 continues to be a threat, so we will just have to wait and see.
