ROCHESTER _ The boat race is back. 

The Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race on the Mattapoisett River returns Monday, May 30, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir, Snipatuit Road, in Rochester and finishing at the Mattapoisett Herring Weir at River Road and Route 6

The Rochester Fire Department will again sponsor the boat race this year, with many similarities to previous races but also a few changes.

Contestants must be at least 7 on Memorial Day. There will be two people in each boat. The boat must be a homemade river racer design, created with any type of material. There are no limitations or restrictions on types of paddles.  

Only one registration session will be held this year and the awards program will be on Memorial Day evening as usual but at a different location, the Rochester Senior Center at 67 Dexter’s Lane.

The traditional ham and bean supper will take place at the senior center from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, May 28, with a choice of sit-down dining or take-out meals.

There will be raffles for two carbon fiber racing paddles made by Bill Watling III. Tickets will be sold at the registration session and at the ham and bean supper. The winners will be drawn at the supper.

Divisions include open/men’s, women’s, junior boys, junior girls, co-ed and parent/child. Junior division teams must feature both contestants younger than 14. Parent/child is for a parent with his or her child under 14 or an adult 25 or older with a child under 14.

Trophies are awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in each division.

Pre-registration is required and only one registration session will be held, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 20. 

Starting positions will be assigned or drawn after registration closes. A signed registration form must be submitted by each contestant for a team to be eligible for a starting position. 

Registration forms and rules may be obtained at Lloyd’s Market, at 319 Cushman Road or at the registration session. Forms may also be requested via email at artbenner@comcast.net. 

Registration forms must be in the committee’s hands by 8 p.m. Friday, May 20. This allows last year’s teams to be assigned a starting position based on last year’s finish position and new teams to draw a starting position.

For further information contact Boat Race Chairman Arthur F. Benner at (508) 763-2024 or email artbenner@comcast.net. Check Facebook “Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race’’ for updated information.