Dozens of community members gathered Saturday, Nov. 4, at pier one to construct Boothbay Harbor’s 900-plus buoy tree.

Eric Gimbel, Jay Quinn and Ren Jones began installation of the wood frame at 10 a.m. By noon, organizers, volunteers and onlookers were ready to hang buoys using zip ties and heavy gauge cable wire. The idea for the buoy tree came from Mark Gimbel in 2020, and plans were drawn up by the Knickerbocker Group. The frame was built by Jones and his mother Betty Lou Townsend. It has since become a calling card for Boothbay Harbor, being the tallest buoy tree in Maine, said Angelo DiGiulian, treasurer of Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce (BHRCC).

“The first time we built the tree it took us four days, now it takes us four hours,” said Quinn. “It’s a great community event,” said Eric Gimbel. “It brings everyone together.” The tree is 20 feet tall and weighs about 3,000 pounds, buoys are attached by community members and lights are strung to illuminate it. It is topped with a copper lobster weathervane Tom Minerich created.

“Eric Gimbel and Kristen Senior did a ton of work to make sure things were organized and ready for the buoy tree in advance of the Nov. 18 kickoff of the Buoy Selfie Contest,” said Julie Roberts, president of BHRCC. Shoppers submit a selfie in front of the tree, along with two receipts from local shops to be entered for weekly drawings of $100 BHRCC gift cards, culminating in a grand prize of a $250 BHRCC gift card. “The buoy tree is such an important part of our lobstering heritage,” she said.

“Last year the Chamber took over responsibility for the buoy tree, financially and organizationally, and we store the buoys for the event,” Roberts said. “The tree is a beloved addition to our ‘shop, dine, stay’ motto and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and Boathouse Bistro have been great partners to the Chamber, helping us expand shuttle services and driving traffic from Gardens Aglow to the harbor. We’ve gotten great feedback from shops and restaurants that the six-week holiday season-expansion helps our business owners fill the shoulder season.”