The 11th Windjammer Days lobster eating contest June 24 proved the second time can be the charm. Irene Hardesty of South Bristol placed second in the 2025 contest. This year, she won, earning her the $100 prize and bragging rights.

Beginning this year, the contest is being run by the Nelson family: Ted, Cheryl and Ted Jr., who added a few surprises for competitors: an extra knuckle for each person, two of whom would also find their pair of lobsters included a hardshell. Randomly placed crackers finished off the settings.

Hardesty's plan was to just eat and have a good time. To add to that good time, her friend and coworker at South Bristol Co-Op, Laura Hughes of Southport, signed up. Hughes, competing for the first time, said, “I plan to be a lot of competition for Irene and (to) eat as fast as I can ... .I just hope they’re softshells!" she said laughing. 

Hardesty, a  job trainer at South Bristol Lobster Co-Op, had some strong competition from several others including Suzie King of Gulfsport, Florida, who was here "to win this contest!" And everyone believed her. Joey Awad, another focused lobster lover but from Frederick, Maryland, said his family convinced him to enter. "It was 'peer pressure.' I love lobster and I plan to shove as much in as I can as fast as I can ... oh, and half chew,” he said laughing, pre-competition.

Eli Pritchard of South Carolina announced he'd eaten his first ever lobster the day before. Spectators laughed and applauded.

Texan David Erskine said he was "just there for the lobstah." He used a methodological approach.

During contestant introductions, Lorraine Downey announced she was competing with two broken fingers! She and Mark Downey hail from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. Mady Bertsch of Texas and Amber Nassberger of Minnesota rounded out this year's entrants.