2026 Bay Invasion Tour Routes & Info
We have never charged any fees to join our cruising events, but starting with our June event and moving forward from there, we are going to begin collecting a $10 "breakdown fee" from every car.
You all know we are about as grassroots as you can get, meaning it's only us, with no outside sponsorship or support, so this fee is going to help people out.
Every year we have people that breakdown and need help. Sometimes it's just a small cheap part to get them going again, or cost nothing at all. Other times they might need a tow to our next stop, to be able to work on their ride, or it can end up being a costly roadside repair.
Here is how it's going to help out.....
If someone breaks down and needs to purchase something to get them back on the road, or needs a tow, this money will be available to them.
Here are the requirements:
1) We will reimburse 50% of your expenses for repair/tow
2) Repair/tow is a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $300
3) If repair is over $300, you will only get a maximum of $150 payout
4) You have not collected from the fund already during the current event
5) Only get payout if there is still money available in the breakdown "kitty"
If there is money left over at the end of the current event, we will carry it over to the next event and/or year after year. IF we stop having NERR cruising events in the future, the remaining funds (if there are any), will be donated to our charity of choice, The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF).
We know that these trips can be expensive, so sometimes a breakdown can really put a hurting on someone's wallet. This should help ease that burden and give participants a little peace of mind, knowing that they can be reimbursed for part of their expenses.
We are capping payouts at $150 so that multiple people can possibly get help if needed.
We're always trying to make our events better and different from all the other cruising events around these days & we think this will help accomplish that. Our events are all about collecting money and helping people we don't even know, so this time we're going to help each other
The dates for 2026's event will be the weekend of June 6 & 7
KEEP ON CHECKING IN, FOR ALL THE LATEST INFO AND UPDATES STILL TO COME
SATURDAY ITINERARY
As usual we will be kicking off in Seabrook, NH and cruising backroads to Boothbay Harbor, ME. We will kickoff in the same location as the last few years (Seabrook Commons), as there are plenty of places to get gas and grab a quick breakfast if people needed to, before hitting the road.
Our first P.O.I. stop will be at Albacore Park ( http://www.ussalbacore.org/ ) , where everyone can check out their submarine and the small museum onsite. People can plan on us spending about 45 minutes here. This will also serve as a restroom stop and a good "regroup" point, as we will hit a couple of congestion points shortly before here. Most of this ride will follow directly along the coast and marshy areas.
About a half hour into our second leg is our gas/rest-stop. We are using the same Irving station as the last two years.
We have one more in-route stop planned at Sweetz & More ( http://sweetzandmore.com/ ) in Wiscasset, if time allows. If we are behind schedule, we will just continue along the route without stopping there.
Our most important stop of the day, will be to visit our friends at the Boothbay Craft Brewery and Tavern ( https://www.boothbaycraftbrewery.com/ ), for some food and drink, along with some fundraising fun.
They have been big supporters of NERR, for a solid decade now. As it is now a large part of our B.I.T. event, 2026 will mark the 4th year for the now annual, Pint-wood derby, hosted by the brewery. There will also hopefully be live music on their new outdoor stage area during our visit, as long as the weather cooperates.
We are planning a 3:00PM arrival at Boothbay Craft Brewery. After eating there will be the Pint-wood derby contest. For a small entry fee, you can enter your car and get a free drink coupon. 100% of the money raised will go to our charity (the Lymphoma Research Foundation). There are no rules limiting the competition. There will be assorted prizes for different classes and winners, so get your car ready!
Saturday night, when the weather allows it, a lot of the crew loves sitting by the water's edge, on the Inn's property, taking in the beautiful sunsets and enjoying their gas firepit.
With our host property being located right next to the harbor's historic footbridge, all the activities around the harbor are less than a ten minute walk away!
A.I.S. time: 8:15 SHARP!
SATURDAY ROUTES
Link to first leg's route: http://maps.app.goo.gl/MQ5wueE8MPnioTbk8
Important notes:
1) Big Daddy's ice cream is just a real quick 5 minute stop to regroup after driving a congested area, right before we turn back off of Route 1 to scenic secondary roads again
2) The Clambake Restaurant is another regroup spot. You will know it's coming up shortly after seeing all the amusement park rides at Old Orchard Beach. Depending on how busy the restaurant is, we might pull over a little bit after it
Interesting note: about 2 miles after we turn onto Ocean Ave in Kennebunkport (step 40) we will pass by a small old stone church. Around that time you will be able to see Walker's Point. This is the Bush family compound that jets out into the harbor. It's a pretty big compound with a small guardshack at the end of their driveway and usually some type of security vehicle (Suburbans or large SUVs) at the gate. The stars and stripes are always flying on their flagpole.... Unless the Bush family is there at that time. If they are there, the Texas flag will be flying.
Link to second leg's route: http://maps.app.goo.gl/kqHAkakM2sbqbuiw8
Important notes:
1) Step 15 is a left onto Route 1 south and it's pretty much a hairpin turn. This seems like a weird direction to have, but it's not a misprint. This is how we get back on Route 295 N to avoid a lot of traffic lights and congestion that we would have, if we took a different route
2) Step 29 is pretty much our last major turn after Sweetz and before our stop at the brewery. Depending on how we feel that day, we might turn off about 3/4 of a mile before that, just for one last bit of backroad driving across Davis Island. That will be a game day decision and not a major change either way.
SUNDAY ITINERARY
As it has now become a regular feature to this event, Sunday morning will consist of a short scenic drive of the surrounding area, that will leave plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the day for dining, shopping, boat cruises, etc. This is a "must do" part of the weekend. It's worth either getting up extra early for breakfast, so you don't miss the drive.
We are changing things up a bit this year, while keeping all the good parts, just traveling a few of them in a different direction and getting rid of the bad parts (not that there really were any).
This year we are also going to be fortunate enough that the Boothbay Railway Village ( http://railwayvillage.org/ ) will be open for the first time during our June visit. This is where our Sunday drive will be ending. As we arrive there as a group, just after 10:15AM, we will be featured guests. They are going to open their gates and have us pull right onto their "town green", instead of parking in their regular gravel parking lot. We will be a little car show inside their gates, while we are there visiting. They will also be giving us discounted admission rates.
Usually for lunch, a lot of the crowd will head over to at Brady's Restaurant ( www.bradysboothbayharbor.com ) at the end of the harbor to see the Saltwater Hillbilly perform for an entertaining afternoon of singing tunes and dancing. If you've been with us here before, you know he definitely gets the crowd going. If you haven't been, you're in for a fun treat. Since it's all walking distance from our host property, I suggest grabbing a rum bucket while you're there, but they hit hard, so be careful. A couple of us had to learn that the hard way in past years
SUNDAY ROUTE
A.I.S. time: 9:00AM sharp! You don't want to miss driving with the group on this day!!
Link to route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uYY1EwkQjrpKUhND6
Important notes:
1) We might change one driving loop (we'll get a general concensus that morning). Usually we take the right onto Van Horn (Step 18). Instead, we might stay straight, doing the ocean point loop in the opposite direction and we would end up ending the loop at Van Horn. This would just give us a bit different view than normal
2) after step #19 you will see a destination of Bluebird Point Inn. This is NOT a destination, but just a way point to make things easier to set up during planning.