Colorful hats, donation cans and even a video of local musician Doug Gimbel dressed as a bumble bee have been circulating around the region. No, the circus isn't in town, but something way more spectacular is in store for the Boothbay region.

In the next few weeks, things are going to get exciting, according to Audrey Miller. She is heading the community fundraiser to bring an Emmy nominated travel show called “Getting Away Together” to the Boothbay region.

The hit TV show is broadcast on PBS and has never featured a New England town before, however Boothbay is set to be showcased as the premier vacation stop if the community can raise $55,000 to fund the show.

It took just five days of filming for Park City, Utah to experience a significant turnaround in its tourism industry. The same economic opportunity that has benefited vacation destinations across the country, is now on Boothbay's doorstep, Miller said.

Jerry Smith, the Emmy winning producer of “Getting Away Together” recently wrote Miller a letter telling her how impressed he is of the entire community's support.

“You guys are on fire! I've never seen community involvement like this in all the years doing the show,” Smith wrote. “You're fantastic, and I can't wait to come meet you all.”

So far the Getting Away Boothbay Fundraising Committee has raised roughly $15,000 through donations and pledges, Miller said.

With over 80 donation cans spread out amongst local businesses, and an online campaign available here, Miller is confident the community can raise the start-up funds in the next six weeks to get the cameras rolling by the end of September. 

Miller said she wants local people to spread the word, watch the music video, and donate whatever money is possible toward this important cause.

“My motivation for this is I want to give back to this wonderful community, and I think that this is something that can be good for everybody,” Miller said. “We're seeing the beginning of a new economic era in the Boothbay region, and it all starts here at the community level." 

“Getting Away Together” is slated to film the Boothbay region in late September if the community can raise enough money in the next six weeks. Currently the only other town competing for a spot with Boothbay is Gloucester, Mass.

Donations can be mailed to: Getting Away Together, in care of Cottage Connection, P.O. Box 655, Boothbay, ME 04537.

To learn more about the show or to make a donation online, visit: www.gettingawayboothbay.org.