13th annual Claw Down grabs appetites and huge crowd

Fri, 06/19/2026 - 12:57pm

A huge crowd gathers for the 2026 Claw Down at Sample's Shipyard June 18. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

This 10-pound lobster helped decorate a table. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Serving a lobster bite. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Trying a lobster bite. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Dunton's Doghouse crew with their awards. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Harborside 1901 crew with the People's Choice award. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Spruce Point Inn crew with their Judge's Choice 1st place award. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Bluebird Ocean Point Kitchen crew with their award. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Master of ceremonies Michael Maxim. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Ralph Smith of Mine Oyster, center, and two of his chefs. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

The Wharf Cats with guest singer Suzie Edwards. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

A huge crowd gathers for the 2026 Claw Down at Sample's Shipyard June 18. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

This 10-pound lobster helped decorate a table. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Serving a lobster bite. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Trying a lobster bite. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Dunton's Doghouse crew with their awards. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Harborside 1901 crew with the People's Choice award. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Spruce Point Inn crew with their Judge's Choice 1st place award. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Bluebird Ocean Point Kitchen crew with their award. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Master of ceremonies Michael Maxim. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

Ralph Smith of Mine Oyster, center, and two of his chefs. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

The Wharf Cats with guest singer Suzie Edwards. STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

STEVE EDWARDS/Boothbay Register

The 13th annual Claw Down, a June 18 event put on by the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce at Sample's Shipyard, saw several area restaurants vie for prizes for their lobster bites. The popular event drew 425 people who enjoyed the bites, music and more.

According to the Chamber, here are the prize winners:

JUDGE’S CHOICE: Spruce Point Inn; 2nd place: Harborside 1901; 3rd place: Bluebird Ocean Point Kitchen

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Harborside 1901; 2nd place: Bluebird Ocean Point Kitchen; 3rd place: Dunton’s Doghouse

CHEF’S CHOICE: Dunton’s Doghouse

BEST TABLE PRESENTATION: Harborside 1901; Honorable Mention: Footbridge Brewery