The annual Maine lobster boat racing season race will soon kick off once more in Boothbay Harbor.

On June 14 at 10 a.m., the Charles Begin Memorial Race will begin as the first class of racers launch their boats from Tumbler Island toward the Department of Marine Resources. There are 30 different classes of boats in all, said Marshall Farnham, the co-chair of the event alongside Ashlee Lowry, and Boothbay Harbor marks the beginning of a 10-race, three-month long season.

"It's a Maine tradition," Farnham said of the season, "and it does promote camaraderie (among fishermen and the public)."

He said Boothbay Harbor has hosted a race every year since 1988. There will be approximately 50 to 60 boats in the field, and he expects lobstermen from as far away as Jonesport and Portsmouth, N.H. to participate.

"We have boats from the south and boats from Down East," Farnham said.

Boats are separated into classes as they meet a number of selection criteria. There are races for gasoline and diesel classes that are further broken down by horsepower and boat length, a race for wooden boats, a race comprising only Boothbay region entries, free-for-all races for both gasoline and diesel models and the finale that seeks to determine the fastest boat overall.

Registration for this year's race will take place at Brown's Wharf between 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. It is $20 to register a boat, and T-shirts and sweatshirts will be on sale for $15 and $30, respectively.

Farnham said there are hundreds of sponsors that contribute to the event. They help support the cash prizes and other awards that winners receive following the race's conclusion. This year, racers who place first, second and third can expect cash prizes ranging from $50 to $150.

"That is a big thing that helps keep us going," Farnham said about the sponsors and the merchandise. He said donations and sales are what allow the race to continue in the Harbor each year.

Boats will anchor up on the east side of the course, and the best place to catch the action will arguably be at the starting and finishing lines — Tumbler Island and the Department of Marine Resources.

The Boothbay Harbor race was named for the racing participant and local lobster enthusiast Charlie Begin. The title became official at the June 18, 2005 event.

Following the Boothbay Harbor race, lobstermen can attend races in Rockland and Bass Harbor this June, in Jonesport, Stonington, Friendship and Harpswell this July and in Winter Harbor, Pemaquid and Long Island this August. A race at Searsport in July was canceled but is scheduled to return next year.