Get ready to shell out for charity. Boothbay Harbor Fire Department (BHFD) is hosting a classic Maine lobster bake. Join the department Saturday, Aug. 9 at Boothbay Region High School from noon to 4 p.m. for an afternoon of food and fun at the second annual fundraiser.

The event is free to attend, but a $30 cash-or-check meal ticket includes a full lobster bake with sides and dessert. Chicken is also available. For kids under 10, tickets are $15. Bay View Masonic Lodge will be selling fresh lemonade. 

Chip Schwehm will kick off live entertainment, followed by Timmy Sprague and The Murky Water Band. There will also be activities throughout the afternoon, including a dunk tank, bounce house, face painting and touch-a-truck fire truck tours. 

For those wanting to bring something home, over 25 local businesses donated to a benefit raffle. According to BHFD Lieutenant Jesse Peters, highlights include two tickets for a Red Sox game, 100 gallons of heating fuel, and a $500 gift certificate for Colby & Gale. Overall, he said there are gift certificates from “pretty much every restaurant or gift shop in town.” His grandmother even made a fireman's quilt, which he said was a popular item last year. 

“We appreciate the fact that local businesses support the local fire department. They look out for us when we look out for them, which is a huge thanks,” Peters said.  

BHFD said every penny of event proceeds supports its not-for-profit arm, Minnehaha Fire Company, to fund tools, equipment and safety gear.