Bath Buoy Derby

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.

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.

Countdown to Buoy Launch

Participant Count

13

Participants

Admiral Sponsors

Events

$15

12:00PM EDT

37 spots left. Registration ends July 11, 2026 at 11:59pm EDT

Open to ages 18 and under.

Sign Up

Captain Sponsors

Ensign Sponsors

Community Partner Sponsors

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)

Prizes for this year are sponsored by Maine Coastal Adventures and Maine Coast Fisherman’s Association!

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

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

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.