By Greg Ellison
(July 15, 2021) Throngs of spectators cheered the return of the annual Bathtub Races to Main Street Berlin Friday, when the 31st annual outing saw the Worcester County Parks and Recreation team take the trophy away from Deeley Insurance Group, the 2019 champions.
Worcester Park’s Derek Jarmon pushes Ally Hernandez to Bathtub Race victory.
Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said after the event went on hiatus last year because of the pandemic, the competition this year was probably enjoyed even more.
“We haven’t taken a bath in two years, so it was good,” she said.
Along with friendly tub-based race action presented by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce were family-friendly activities, including a kids’ zone sponsored by Worcester Youth & Family Counseling.
“Obviously, the weather was beautiful,” she said.
Besides the Main Street racecourse lined with haystacks, spectators were also treated to an array of art offerings during the monthly Second Friday event that was sandwiched in the evening.
Bathtub Race sponsors included Bradley Atlantic Insurance Management, Taylor Bank, Berlin Auto Wash and the Sterling Tavern.
In between heats, flow artist Nolah Walton performed briefly before inviting the assembled youth to join in the hula-hoop festivities.
“It started a few years ago where in between the heats we wanted some things to entertain the kids,” Wells said. “We did this little hula hoop contest and it’s grown so much.”
The organizers even stockpiled hoops in anticipation of strong turnout.
Bearded Men’s Society of Ocean City member Robb Dunne pushes while cohort Shelby Vick peddles in a leisurely fashion during a meandering approach to the finish line for the annual Berlin Bathtub Races on Friday.
“We wanted to make sure that no child was left behind without a hula hoop,” she said.
Seaside Plumbing team members Rob Kimber and Olivia Kurtz display both exuberance and trepidation during the Berlin Bathtub Races on Friday.