Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Race organizers are gearing up for the annual event, scheduled for Saturday, June 16.

The Charles Begin Memorial Races will begin at 10 a.m. This year's races will be dedicated to long-time participant David Taylor, who passed away this spring.

Organizers Marshall Farnham and Ashlee Lowery said the best viewing area for the races is at the Department of Marine Resources in West Boothbay Harbor.

Boothbay Harbor will be the first of 13 races sponsored by the Maine Lobsterboat Racing Association along the coast this summer. There will be between 50 and 60 boats participating in the races, ranging from skiffs up to 45-footers.

This year's races will feature new events in addition to old favorites, including a Friday night dance at Knot Grays, 50/50 raffles on Friday and a Saturday breakfast at Dockside at 6 a.m. A preview of the T-shirts sold annually, this year in memory of David Taylor, will also occur on Friday.

After racing in Boothbay Harbor, the boats will continue on to Rockland for more races on Sunday, June 17. For more information, call Ashlee Lowery at 633-3915.