When you think of Maine, what’s the first sport that comes to mind? Basketball? Hockey? Soccer?

Responses may vary depending on the season and the city, but in Harpswell this weekend, the answer is lobster boat racing.

Middle Bay will turn into a speedway of sorts Sunday morning as lobstermen will travel from up and down Maine’s coast to participate in the 33rd Harpswell Lobster Boat Races.

“Hopefully we have good weather on Sunday, but last year the weather was really nice,” said Erin Scholomiti, president of the Harpswell Lobster Boat Race committee. “Perfect on land, it was really nice in the water, it was calm. And I just remember last year, not only did we have a packed parking lot in Mitchell Field, which was awesome to see, but when you looked out on the water from the field, you just saw a sea of boats that were out there watching the races.”

Boat registration at Erica’s Seafood will run from 8-9 a.m. and the races are set to begin between 10-11 a.m. Spectators can catch up to 33 individual races from a chair on the Mitchell Field pier or on the water. A rain date is scheduled for Aug. 3.

So, what is Lobster Boat Racing?

The Maine Lobster Boat racing circuit, which stretches from Portland to Jonesport, has been a summer tradition for decades.

Members of the fishing community take the day off, transport their working boats sometimes for hours or overnight, compete in a 1-2 minute-long race and spend the rest of the day swapping stories and relaxing on the water. Racers don’t have to be active lobstermen to participate, but many are.

“It’s primarily about being able to celebrate our community and what a lot of our community members do for a living, and all the hard work that they put into it throughout the year, even in the cold, nasty weather,” Scholomiti said. “(It also) allows the lobstermen, if they choose, to take a break from work and have some fun and celebrate. I think that’s really how the tradition started.”

How fast can the boats go?

It depends on the size, engine and fuel, but last year’s winner of the Fastest Lobster Boat in the Casco Bay race was Steve Johnson’s Lynn Marie, topping out at 57.7 mph.

How many boats will race in Harpswell?

The total won’t be finalized until 9 a.m. Sunday, but the committee knows of many previous competitors who will return. Last year, 48 boats competed — 12 more compared to the previous year.

There will be up to 33 races on Sunday, separated by boat type, hull size and engine power. The total number of races will be determined by registration. The main classes are working boats under 24 feet, which includes the Fastest Lobster Boat in Casco Bay race, gas-powered work boats over 24 feet and diesel-powered work boats over 24 feet.

All races will be a 3/4-mile straightaway that finishes in front of Mitchell Field.

First-, second- and third-place finishers are awarded prizes, often cash. The biggest prize, of course, is bragging rights.

How much does it cost?

It costs $20 to register a boat to race. Parking and admission for spectators is free.

There will be food, coffee, raffle tickets and merchandise available for purchase for those on Mitchell Field. All proceeds raised by the Harpswell Lobster Race Committee will be donated to the Harpswell Santa Fund, which has supported local families in need since 1991. Last year’s races raised $23,000.

What’s the best way to watch?

Watching from the water can get you closest to the action, as the viewing by sea section is east of the Goslings Preserve and north of Whaleboat Island.

To watch on land, Scholomiti recommends bringing a pair of binoculars and getting to Mitchell Field early for a spot closest to the water. Family-friendly games and activities will also be available on land.

The races will also be broadcast on VHF Channel 10, which can be heard via handheld radio or by the food truck area on Mitchell Field.

I can’t go this weekend, are there other lobster boat races nearby?

Harpswell is the seventh of 11 stops on the Maine Lobster Boat Racing summer circuit.

Barring a rainout this weekend, there won’t be any races the first weekend of August. The circuit travels to Winter Harbor on Aug. 9 and to Pemaquid on Aug. 10. The following weekend will be the final set of races for the season with events in Long Island (Aug. 16) and Portland (Aug. 17).