Crawling crustaceans to bring Aikenites together.
The excitement of racing returns to the streets of Aiken as Maine lobsters prepare to compete and Aikenites reunite.
The 25th annual Lobster Race will be held on Friday in the heart of downtown Aiken. Event planners are making it bigger and better than ever. Entertainment for the evening includes live music, vendors, foods from a variety of local restaurants, children’s activities and rides.
“We have expanded the rides for children and added more food vendors. We are doing what we can to help avoid long lines so everyone can have a fun family evening,” said Kara Flanders, event coordinator. “It’s the biggest reunion in Aiken, an enjoyable family event.”
This year, 15 heats of lobsters are set to race; races one through eight start at 7 p.m., and the rest will follow at 8:30 p.m. The race track offers optimal viewing and great conditions for the racing lobsters.
In order to make a lobster crawl, water temperatures and saline content must be exact. Each lobster is placed in its own lane with a staggered starting and finishing line. They must race to the end of their lane, turn around and return to their starting point. The winner of each heat advances to the finals.
Five stages will offer a variety of entertainment. The beach music band The Catalinas is headlining, and up-and-coming country band “Love and Theft” will perform on the Kicks 99 stage.
Typically anywhere between 8,000 to 10,000 people attend. All proceeds benefit local charities. Tickets will be sold at the gate or admission is free if you wear a 2009 Lobster Race T-shirt.
Additionally, you may purchase a Lobster Mania all-access pass for the rides for just $20; ride bands will be $30 the night of the event. Discounted ride bands are available until April 30.
Ride bands and T-shirts are available at the following locations: Atlantic Broadband, All Star Rents, Ingate Pharmacy, Hitchcock Healthcare, Lionel Smith and Screenprint Factory.
A supplement will appear in the April 29 edition of the Aiken Standard containing the layout and schedule of bands for the Lobster Races. Additional information may be found on the Lobster Race’s Facebook page or by calling 215-2003.
Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.
Want to Go?
What? Lobster Race
Where? Downtown Aiken
When? May 1 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Live Entertainment on 5 stages:
The Catalina’s
Eddie G – DJ
Loose the Goose with Tripp G
The Purps
Anybody’s Guess
Love and Theft
Merging Traffic
Rezon 8
Lo Down Brown
Front Gate Properties, We’re selling the BEST Real Estate in Aiken, SC.
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