For the first time in 24 years, Maine’s lobster boat races returned to Portland Harbor as part of the 29th annual MS Harborfest events this weekend.

A sailboat regatta was Saturday, and on Sunday more than 50 lobster boats raced in Casco Bay while spectators watched from Portland’s East End.

Additional Photos

Motivation, left, and Starlight Express, right, head down the course during the Portland Lobster Boat Races.
Motivation, left, and Starlight Express, right, head down the course during the Portland Lobster Boat Races. Joel Page/The Associated Press
Spectators along the East End watch the Portland Lobster Boat Races on Sunday. More than 50 lobster boats participated in the first lobster boat race in Portland Harbor in 24 years.
Spectators along the East End watch the Portland Lobster Boat Races on Sunday. More than 50 lobster boats participated in the first lobster boat race in Portland Harbor in 24 years. Joel Page/The Associated Press
Steve Johnson races his “auto-boat” Sunbird against John Pearsall’s Lake Turbo Renegade airplane Hate Me Rose II. Hate Me Rose II pulled ahead to beat the auto-boat.
Steve Johnson races his “auto-boat” Sunbird against John Pearsall’s Lake Turbo Renegade airplane Hate Me Rose II. Hate Me Rose II pulled ahead to beat the auto-boat. Joel Page/The Associated Press

Jon Johansen, president of the Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association, said participants included Galen Alley of Beals Island, who set a record this summer of 68.1 miles per hour on Foolish Pleasure. Alley raced Sunday but didn’t set any speed records.

 

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