Three years ago, Boothbay Harbor Fire Department began a new tradition. It started as a chicken barbecue fundraiser, and last year morphed into a lobster bake which netted the department over $13,000.

This year, the Aug. 1 lobster bake served 140 meals on a warm summer afternoon at Sherman Field in Boothbay Harbor. The event ran from noon to 4 p.m., featuring either a lobster or chicken meal, live musical entertainment, field games and good conversations among neighbors.

Glenn Tilton became fire chief last December. In the past three years, he has been overwhelmed by the community's support of the department. Tilton said the annual event takes a great deal of manpower from two dozen volunteers who work to pull off the one-day event. "Last year went really well, and this year is as good if not better," Tilton said. "Last year, we raised about $13,000 from ticket sales, donations and raffles," he said. "People are very generous. One guy bought two tickets and paid $500."

While it takes a team of volunteers to operate a large barbecue fundraiser, one person has the monumental task of organizing such a grand event. That man is Lt. Jesse Peters. As chief organizer, Peters ordered the tents, set up the lobster bake, hired two bands (All That Matters and Chip Schwehm), ordered the dunk tank and bounce house and scheduled the two dozen volunteers at their stations.

For Peters, being a volunteer fireman is his way of saying "thank you" to his hometown. Being the chief organizer is another way to repay the community for its generosity to "kids," like him, who grew up here. "I've always volunteered. Growing up, I did hundreds of hours of community service," he said. "I joined the fire department to give back to a community which did so much for me and my family. I don't know of a better way to support the town you live in and love, than by volunteering," he said.

The fire department buys equipment with lobster bake proceeds. Tilton said equipment like generators, power tools and other miscellaneous items account for the majority of purchases. 

Aug. 3, Tilton estimated the event grossed over $17,000. He will know the final net once all the bills are paid.