Lobster Crate Races: A Beloved Portsmouth Tradition on the Piscataqua River

The photograph above captures a moment from June 1988: a young man sprinting across a string of lobster crates anchored between the commercial fishing piers at Pierce Island and Four Tree Island near Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A nearby sign warns “Run at your risk,” but the danger was part of the fun. The runner was competing in the Lobster Crate Races, a lively waterfront event traditionally held during the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony on the Piscataqua River.

The Lobster Crate Races were as much a test of balance and nerve as they were of speed. Organizers lashed wooden lobster crates together with rope to form a makeshift pathway—“stepping stones” that bobbed on the river. Competitors tried to cross the floating line without falling into the water, and each attempt was timed. The fastest finishers won the race, but staying upright on the unstable crates was often the greater challenge.

Children and lighter-weight participants frequently had an advantage: their lower mass kept the crates from sinking as deeply, making it easier to run across without submerging the route. That dynamic made the races a family favorite, drawing parents, grandparents, and siblings who cheered from the shore or from nearby boats. The spectacle became part of a larger day of community celebration centered on the water.

The Blessing of the Fleet: Community, Faith, and Maritime Tradition

The Lobster Crate Races were held in conjunction with the Blessing of the Fleet, a longstanding maritime tradition in which local clergy and community leaders bless tall ships, commercial fishing vessels, and recreational boats as they pass by. The Blessing of the Fleet blends religious ritual with civic pride, honoring those who work on the water and recognizing the central role of the harbor in local life.

On the day of the ceremony, families typically gathered along the waterfront to cook, eat, and enjoy the festivities. The races, the procession of boats, and the communal atmosphere turned the shoreline into a focal point for neighbors and visitors alike. For many residents who grew up along the Piscataqua, the Blessing was a seasonal highlight—an event that celebrated both maritime culture and the social bonds of the community.

Decline and Revival

Although Portsmouth has celebrated tall ships and maritime events for centuries, the annual Blessing of the Fleet and its accompanying activities faltered in the late 1980s and were paused for a time. Local interest and participation waned, and the tradition slipped from the public calendar. That changed recently when locals worked to revive the ceremony and its eccentric, crowd-pleasing competitions.

Locals brought the Blessing back to life in the summer of 2023, restoring some of the rituals and festivities that had made the event memorable. Local mariner Jason Brewster played a significant role in organizing and promoting the revival. As he told Seacoastonline, “For those of us who grew up here on the river, the Blessing was our own thing. Everyone on the river was involved in it.” Brewster’s involvement helped reconnect different generations and reminded the community why the waterfront traditions matter.

Why These Traditions Matter

Events like the Lobster Crate Races and the Blessing of the Fleet do more than entertain; they maintain a living link between the town’s maritime past and its present. They provide informal education about local industry and heritage, and they give residents a chance to gather, celebrate, and pass traditions on to younger participants. Even a playful contest of balance on floating crates reflects deeper ties to the water, to fishing communities, and to shared seasonal rhythms.

The 1988 image preserved here is a small window into that communal experience—equal parts challenge, spectacle, and neighborhood ritual. Its revival in recent years suggests that, while customs can lapse, the desire to gather on the waterfront and mark the seasons with familiar ceremonies remains strong in Portsmouth.

This article was originally published in the December 2023 issue.