The Boothbay Fire Department will host the 54th annual Maine State Federation of Firefighters. This year’s convention begins on Friday, Sept. 8 and ends midday on Sunday, Sept. 10.

“It was supposed to be in Winslow and we were supposed to do it next year,” said Boothbay Fire Chief Dick Spofford. “But they asked us if we would do it a year ahead and we said we would.”

Boothbay Fire Lieutenant John Long reprised his role from eight years ago — when the convention was last held in Boothbay — as chairman.

“It’s a big commitment to do it,” said Long. “We started about a year and a half ago.”

Long has been talking to many of the local hotel owners. “They’re booked solid, and not just the hotels, but the campgrounds are getting reservations for the convention,” Long said.

“A lot of firemen are booked,” added Spofford. “Though some are still last-minute … this region is set up great for something like this. Of everything, the facilities and infrastructure are set up really well.”

Long and Spofford spoke of the many events that will be taking place during the convention such as the Sept. 11 Memorial Service, the parade and, of course, the muster.

“It’s fun for the public,” Long said of the muster. “It’s game-type things with water and hoses and different teams. Although, a couple (firefighters) from Newcastle were down today and said they were going to kick our butts.”

Spofford and Long said they have received nothing but great support from the community, and that much of the convention will be open to the public.

“We just want to say that the public is more than welcome to attend most of this that they can and enjoy it with us,” said Long.

Schedule for events which are open to the public:

Friday

Antique-judging, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

9/11 Memorial Service, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Boothbay Region High School field

Forestry helicopter, 9:30 a.m.

Boothbay Craft Brewery Benefit, 1 to 5 p.m.

Saturday

Antique-judging, 7 to 9 a.m.

Vendors open, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Parade, 10 a.m., starting at BRHS and proceeding around downtown

Fire apparatus and demonstration, 1 to 3 p.m.

Sunday

Vendors open, 8 a.m. to noon

Muster, 10 a.m., BRHS field