On Aug. 1, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Boothbay Region High School field, Boothbay Harbor Fire Department will host its second annual lobster bake, with all proceeds benefiting Minnehaha Fire Company.

Event organizer Jesse Peters said the idea was to both raise funds and create more opportunities for the fire department to connect with the community.

“Raise a little bit of money and also get out in the community a little bit more,” Peters said.

The event will have live music from All That Matters and Chip Schwehm, as well as face painting, touch-a-truck for children and large raffle prizes. 

Last year’s inaugural lobster bake was a success, drawing around 300 attendees over three hours. The department hopes to build on that momentum and bring even more community members together this year.

“It was a pretty big event last year,” Peters said.

For Peters, the event is also a chance for residents, especially children, to meet the people behind the department.

“It’s important, especially for the kids and the community,” Peters said. “Hopefully they come out and learn who we are.”

The lobster bake gives community members a chance to learn more about the department, build relationships with firefighters and strengthen the connection between the department and the people it serves.

The department has received support from businesses helping make the fundraiser possible.

“We have around 60 businesses we’ve reached out to,” Peters said. “Pier One Pizza is a big part of last year’s fundraising. They did a trivia night and made us a little over $3,000 just with trivia, and this year the whole month of July they’re going to be selling tickets and have a bunch of raffle items.”

All proceeds raised during the event will go toward Minnehaha Fire Company, an organization that has provided support to Boothbay Harbor Fire Department.

“We buy gear, equipment we need for the trucks that are outside of our budget, and we get that money from that organization,” Peters said.

Peters emphasized the importance of community support and how funds raised through organizations like Minnehaha Fire Company directly benefit local emergency services.

“The community efforts are tremendous,” Peters said. “All the donations and money we raise goes back to our community in some way.”