Boothbay has once again been selected to host the Maine State Federation of Firefighters annual convention, in 2018. The annual event was held in Boothbay previously in 2008. The 2018 convention will be the 52nd one held in the state.

Boothbay Fire Chief Dick Spofford said that he’s happy about the decision that was made by the president of the Maine State Federation of Firefighters, Ken Desmond, and 24 others, including vice presidents of all the counties included in the federation.

“You have to write a letter of intent and you have to have the resources in your area, because a lot of people come,” he said.

Spofford said that in 2008 it was the first time the convention had ever been in Lincoln County.

“We learned a lot by hosting it that year,” he said. “Doing it once really opened our eyes. We have pretty much the same crew that worked on that one. Mike Marr (of Boothbay) designed the T-shirts and brochures, and we think he'll be doing it again.”

The event takes place the second weekend in September.

“They do it then because the towns are busy with other things over the summer, and it is a time that's good for the economy, bringing people in,” Spofford said.

The YMCA Field House has been secured for the 2018 event, Spofford said, but not a lot else has been decided yet.

“We'll start a committee and we'll meet every so often,” he said. “Some will be in charge of the ‘muster,’ which is a traditional competition with the firemen running a hose and spraying water at things, and certain events that have to be performed within the muster's guidelines, with different departments competing for trophies.”

During the 2008 convention, on Saturday, Sept. 13, after the parade in Boothbay, Milo firemen started getting calls saying that their town was burning.

“In the middle of the night all the Milo firemen left,” Spofford said. “There were big buildings in the middle of town (Milo) that were destroyed. The Milo firemen participated in the parade, and then they were gone.”

Any town wishing to host the event, which occurs annually, must submit a letter of intent to the federation three years prior to the convention.

Ken Desmond, president of the federation, said the towns are selected three years ahead because the planning can take that long. He said the vote to come to Boothbay in 2018 was unanimous.

“The first year we came to Boothbay, 2008, we really enjoyed it,” Desmond said. “We had a great time.”

Desmond said in 2008, The Tugboat Inn hosted the 25 officers.

“We try to find one motel or inn that can get us all together under one roof.”

He said he's not sure yet where they'll stay in 2018.

There are approximately 400 firefighting stations in the state of Maine.

The 2008 event drew upwards of 4,000 people. The 2018 convention will occur over a three-day period the second weekend in September.