Boothbay Fire & Rescue recently held their annual fundraising event on Aug. 18 at the main Boothbay fire station grounds, featuring an exciting day of cornhole and other activities. The event attracted semiprofessional teams from throughout New England, including three teams in the top ten rankings. Despite the overcast conditions and occasional rain showers, several hundred people came throughout the day to play cornhole and watch the various teams compete. 

Over 25 fire department personnel were on hand to support parking, event management and manning the grills, providing spectators with hot dogs and hamburgers and homemade cupcakes. Boothbay Craft Brewery generously donated the beer and served event attendees and the event concluded with an exciting and tight finish in the championship round. 

Chief David Pratt noted that while it was a great day for attendees and firefighters alike to relax and enjoy the festivities and competition together, the event serves as a critical and vital role for the department. “One hundred percent of the funds raised from this event will go towards supporting our firefighters with the necessary gear, as well as for new and enhanced safety equipment to better fight fires and rescue victims from car accidents. With the typical personal protection equipment for a firefighter - coat, pants, boots, helmet and other supporting equipment – costing over $5,000, and the self-contained breathing apparatus firefighters wear to allow them to go into burning structures with temperatures exceeding 700 degrees adding an additional $12,000 – as a volunteer force we need to raise money to support replacing obsolete and defective gear and to meet critical safety standards. We could not do what we do without the incredible generosity of our sponsors – local businesses - and the residents of Boothbay. The men and women of the department are on call 24/7, 365 days a year and greatly appreciate this financial support and knowing that the community truly supports them” 

Due to the success of this year’s event, Chief Pratt noted that the department will host another cornhole tournament next summer and the department hopes to add additional activities and fire education programs that participants can partake in. 

The department would also like to thank the incredible generosity of its sponsors, including the following companies: 

Platinum sponsors: Boothbay Harbor Country Club, Hammond Lumber, and Iron Horse Motorcycle Lawyers. 

Gold Sponsors: Bangor Savings, Bath Savings, Boothbay Family Dentistry, Clear Stream Construction, Colby & Gale, Dunkin’, E.M. Wood Construction, First Federal Savings, Flagship Inn, First National Bank, Hancock Lumber, Midcoast Building & Excavation, NAPA Auto Parts, Rowe’s Garage, Smugglers Cove, Tindal & Callahan, Washburn & Doughty, and Yereance &  Son Plumbing & Heating.