Engines ready: Stonington Lobster Boat Races return July 12
Over 100 participants are expected to participate in this year’s events
July 8, 2026
By Jessi Hardy
The F/V La Bella Vita races down the track with hopes of winning the race. Photo courtesy of the Stonington Lobster Boat Race Committee.
STONINGTON–The 43rd annual Stonington Lobster Boat Races will take place on July 12, with pre-race festivities beginning on July 11.
Founded in 1983 by the late Harlen Billings, of Billings Diesel and Marine, the races reflect a deep-rooted commitment to preserving Maine’s coastal heritage and each event requires months of meticulous planning. Beginning in December, committee chairs Jeff and Karen Eaton start reaching out to businesses—both locally and within the maritime industry—for sponsorships. Then they set about securing Coast Guard licenses and town permits.
"It takes more work than we realize," Karen Eaton said.
“Unless you have done it for many years, you don’t realize how much work goes into it,”Jeff Eaton said.
For the Eatons, the races are more than a logistical challenge: They are a lifelong passion. Jeff Eaton has been involved since his youth and describes the event as an "adrenaline rush." His dedication is shared by the rest of the planning committee, and they strive to “set the bar” for regional races.
By leading by example, the committee hopes to encourage other communities to elevate their own events, he said, strengthening the broader lobster boat racing tradition on the whole.
"I like going to other races and having them tell us how much they love how we run ours," Jeff Eaton said. "It makes it so other people try harder to stop us, and that's a good feeling."
Held every July, the weekend-long event features 32 races and caters to all ages and vessel types, from youth skiffs to powerful diesel boats. Signature categories like the Andrew Gove Memorial Cup and the Fastest Boat Afloat race remain the highlights of the competition.
To drive attendance and generate excitement, the committee changes its prize offerings regularly. They used to offer boat hulls as prizes, Jeff Eaton said, but discovered that participants prefer cash. Now there are two cash prizes—a whopping $5,000 each— alongside practical rewards like bait tubs, but the committee is always considering new ideas.
Committee co-chair Jeff Eaton has been an avid boat racer since his youth. Photo courtesy of the Stonington Lobster Boat Race Committee.
"We toss ideas around, and the next thing you know, [something] comes," Jeff Eaton.
The generous support of local businesses makes these changes possible and have been key to sustaining the races over the years.
"We couldn’t do it without sponsors," Karen Eaton said. Sponsorships help fund everything from event merchandise to the high-stakes raffles, she said.
Coupled with the Eatons’ leadership and support from local businesses, community support has been central to the race's ongoing success.
This year's event is expected to draw over 100 participants, with hundreds of spectators watching from shore.
Festivities associated with the 2026 Stonington Lobster Boat Races begin Saturday night with a benefit dance at Stonecutter's Kitchen. The fundraiser will feature the 3 Mile Line Band. The races will take place on Sunday. Various vendors and food trucks will line the pier throughout the day and event merchandise at the registration booth.
2026 Stonington Lobster Boat Races
Schedule of Events
Saturday, July 11
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: Early registration at Harbor Master’s Building on the Pier
8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.: Benefit dance at Stonecutter’s Kitchen, 21+
Sunday, July 12 | Race Day
8:00 a.m.: Registration opens; food trucks and vendors open
10:00 a.m.: Registration closes
10:30 a.m.: Opening ceremony; races begins
Post-Race – Awards and prizes presented on the pier
For more information about the events, or to inquire about sponsorship, please visit the Stonington Lobster Boat Races Facebook page or contact the committee at stoningtonlobsterboatraces@gmail.com.