Corner Bath Tubs

Second Friday adds bathtub races

BERLIN -- The town of Berlin has been holding monthly Second Friday Art Strolls since 1991.

The wildly popular events have long been a chance for locals to celebrate their town, as well as show off all that Berlin has to offer to outsiders -- from great food and entertainment to a rich cultural history. New this month is the inclusion of the infamous bathtub races.

"The bathtub races were typically done with the Berlin Village Fair, which has been going on for about 25 years, but we've discontinued it this year," said Olive Mawyer, executive director of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce. "So we decided to keep the bathtub races because that happened to be the best part of Village Fair. We decided to combine it with the Art Stroll because that way we already had people coming to town, shops were already open late and it gave us a reason to have a little more entertainment.

"It brings the businesses out; allows them to get creative," Mawyer added. "It helps them promote their businesses and have fun."

The race begins at 5 p.m. as bathtubs line up for display in front of the Chamber of Commerce. At 6 p.m., the tubs will parade down Main Street ahead of the official race starts at 6:15 p.m.

Berlin's historic Atlantic Hotel won the first-ever race 20 years ago. Last year's winner, local business Bath Fitters, will be on hand Friday to defend its title. Additionally, Jesse Turner of Berlin Shoe Box, the race's all-time leading winner, will be honored during a halftime ceremony.

"People build their bathtubs on wheels," Mawyer explained. "They have to have someone sitting in the bathtub and the tub has to be able to hold water. And then you have a pusher, so someone's running, pushing the tub. You've gotta have wheels, you've gotta have steering, you've gotta have brakes. People spend all year trying to make these bathtubs and there's some pretty, pretty cool ones out there."

"You know Berlin is kinda out there," Mawyer added with a laugh. "We try to keep things interesting and entertaining."

In addition to the races, galleries, restaurants and shops will extend their hours as live music and local artists and artisans line the streets.

The Water's Edge Gallery will host a show curated by local artist Kevin Fitzgerald, and The Globe's Balcony Gallery will also display artwork. Live music will also be booked in venues throughout the town, and The Country Grass will perform outside on the corner of Commerce and Main Street.

The Materials That Corner Bathtubs are Made Of

Corner bathtubs are so flexible.  Aside from the fact that you could just tuck one in a corner, they can also come in a wide array of choices.  All the sizes, shapes, and designs you can imagine are on the market these days.  All you have to do is pick.  However, are these all the factors that truly matter?

One thing that not many people consider when they are buying a bathtub, or any merchandise for that matter, is the material which it is made of.  It is very important to realize how much the material (or materials) of a product can affect its performance.  In fact, if you think about it, the price of a commodity is reflective of what it’s made of.  Haven’t you noticed how fast some of your cheap furniture got broken?  But of course, this does not exactly mean that all cheap products are low quality. You really just have to practice some caution.

Now, when it comes to bathtubs, there are basically four materials you can choose from: fiberglass, acrylic, porcelain, and cast iron.  If you are not very familiar with the characteristics of these materials, below is their brief description:

Fiberglass—A lot of modern corner bathtubs are made from fiberglass.  The material is known for its durability and cost-effectiveness.  If you are after a bathtub that could last quite long but comes in a lower price tag, then one made from fiberglass may be your best choice.  The material is light and also relatively easy to install.   However, due to its lightness, it can also get dented or scratched more easily.  In addition, its color may also fade over time. Acrylic—Acrylic is said to be similar to fiberglass in a lot of ways but is a bit more expensive.  Its color is embedded and not just coated on the surface.  This is what makes its finish a lot finer and glossier.  The material also has natural insulating properties so it could keep the water warm for a longer time than others.  Acrylic is also sturdy and does not crack easily.  It’s easy to clean too. Porcelain—A bathtub made from this is created by coating a layer of porcelain over a steel frame.  This process makes the bath a lot more resistant to corrosion and abrasions.  It even makes the bath fireproof.  However, the downside of this material is it’s prone to rust and chipping. Cast Iron—If money is not a problem and you want durability, a corner bath made from cast iron may be your best choice.

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