Welcome to the Bath Buoy Derby!
You’ve definitely heard of the Kentucky Derby, probably a Pinewood Derby, and maybe the Pumpkin Derby - but you've never heard of a BUOY DERBY! Gear up for something uniquely Maine to join the ranks of the State's quirkiest contests such as the Cod Fish Races, Pumpkin Regatta, and the Great Lobster Crate Race. Join Bath at Play for the very original FIRST ANNUAL racing of the buoys in downtown Bath this July 12.
The Buoy Derby is a Pinewood or Soap-Box (small gravity racer) style event where participants build, decorate and race a lobster buoy down the hill of Lambard Street in the heart of downtown Bath, Maine. This first-of-its-kind event is open to participants age 18 and under and is LIMITED TO 50 RACERS. Prizes for speed but also prize categories related to creativity and craftsmanship.
We will provide racers with the buoy and necessary hardware for your crustacean racing sensation - YOU get to rig it out for speed and style.
We can't wait to see you at the starting gate on Sunday July 12, 2026.
Race Day Schedule:
Check In: 11:00AM to 11:45AM
Racing Start: 12:00PM
Join us at Now You’re Cooking after the races from 2PM-4PM for the After Party! Racers & Spectators are welcome to join us for lobster shaped cookies and lemonade in the demonstration kitchen.
2026 Bath Buoy Derby Recap: We Thank You!
You did it! You helped launch a brand-new Bath tradition, and what a debut it was!
On a hot, sunny Sunday, 34 wildly creative buoy racers took over Lambard Street, proving that lobster buoys were destined for greatness...on sea and land. From clever themes to colorful designs (and a few surprisingly speedy racers!), every buoy brought something special to the hill.
We were blown away by your imagination, craftsmanship, sportsmanship, and willingness to embrace a little friendly, buoy-fueled chaos. You made the very first Bath Buoy Derby more fun than we ever imagined.
Whether your buoy crossed the finish line first, took home a prize, or simply stole everyone's hearts, you helped create a one-of-a-kind event that we'll be talking about for years to come.
Now it's time to start dreaming up your next buoy design.... Because trust us, you won't want to miss next year's Bath Buoy Derby!
Thank you for taking a chance on a brand-new event and helping turn a quirky idea into an unforgettable community tradition.
Before you go, we would love your feedback to make next year even better, please complete this survey by August 1.
Until next year...
Keep calm and buoy on!
With appreciation,
The Crew of Bath at Play
P.S. If you have photos you would like to add to our Buoy Derby photo gallery on our website, please email them to info@bathatplay.org and we'll be sure to post them up!
Photos from the first annual Bath Buoy Derby, July 12, 2026
First Place Prize:
1x Gift Certificate for a private boat tour for up to 6 people with Maine Coastal Adventures in the 2026 season. The winner may choose from their Lobster Tour, Sunset Cruise, or Wildlife Tour!
1x Maine Coast Fishermen's Association Prize Pack.
Value: $300+
Awards:
Buoys will be judged and awarded across the following categories:
Fastest on the Course:
First, Second, and Third Place
Best Decorated:
“One of a Kind” (Most Original)
“City of Ships” (Quintessential Bath)
“True Mainah” (Most Maine)
“The Tinkerer” (Most Over-Engineered)
“Unicorn Lobster” (Silliest)
“Flotsam & Jetsam” (Best Use of Recycled Materials)
Second Place Prize:
1x Gift Certificate for a Three-hour Cruise for Two aboard the Merrymeeting at the Maine Maritime Museum. Two days of admission to the museum is included as part of the cruise certificate.
1x Maine Coast Fishermen's Association Prize Pack.
Value: $150
Third Place Prize:
3x passes for a visitor and guest (6 entries) to the Jane Stevens' Sagadahoc Heritage Center at the Bath Freight Shed and dockside boarding of Virginia, Maine's First Ship.
1x Maine Coast Fishermen's Association Prize Pack.
Value: $85
Turn This:
Into This:
Buoy Derby Guidelines:
Racers must register and pick-up their buoy kit in advance (see pickup options)
All racers must use hardware included in kit
Buoy decorations are limited to the following restrictions:
Weight: Maximum 15 pounds
Width: 12" (or within the width of the supplied axles)
NO motors
Allowed Modifications:
Over-engineered additions
Go-fast paint jobs
Contouring of foam buoy (tread carefully!)
Check-in is in person at 11AM on Sunday July 12, 2026
Racing begins at High Noon
Community Decoration Days
Thanks to our community partners the Art Lab at the Chocolate Church Arts Center and the Midcoast Youth Center, there are plenty of days before the race to decorate your racer! The Art Lab at the Chocolate Church Arts Center will have open decoration (and buoy racer kit pickup) every Monday and Thursday leading up to the event. Midcoast Youth Center will offer a LAST CHANCE Registration-to-Decoration day on Friday July 10, 12-5PM.
Race Hardware Pick-up:
Race packet pick-up will be available starting June 14 until July 10 in the following locations & times:
Mondays at the Patten Free Library, Community Room (during Minecraft Club), 3:30-4:30PM
During Bath at Play's Heritage Games, Friday July 3, Library Park, Bath, ME, 1PM-4PM.
At the Chocolate Church Arts Center Arts Lab (Washington Street, Bath, ME) during open hours: Mondays & Thursdays 2PM to 5PM. You may also build and decorate your racer during these times!
At the Midcoast Youth Center Skatepark (4 Old Brunswick Road, Bath, Maine) during normal business hours - please see their website for times.
Your Buoy Derby Hardware Kit will Include:
A 5x11" Foam Lobster Buoy
4x 4" Wheels
2x 12" Axles
20x Hex Nuts
12x Flat Washers
4x Acorn Cap Nuts
Buoy Derby Racer Assembly Instructions
Thank you to our Sponsors and Community Partners!
