A bustling shipyard by day, the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard was transformed into the premier party spot on August 15, when 11 area restaurants chipped in to raise funds for the Boothbay Region Land Trust.

The spacious spread drew nearly 100 guests to “A Taste for Place Cocktail Party” accompanied by the snappy sounds of The Sheepscot Jazz & Swing Company.

But that was just the first course. Following the gathering, 60 guests were treated to an all exclusive dinner hosted on three islands.

Guests were ferried out to Hunting Island, Pratts Island and Indiantown Island for a fine dining excursion at the cost of $250 a plate.

The idea to combine four events into one evening was headed by Pauline Dion, the event organizer, and Steve Malcom of the Knickerbocker Group.

Based on a fine dining affair in Kennebunk, Dion and Malcom wanted to bring a similar event to the Boothbay region to broaden the fundraising efforts for BRLT.

A lone pigeon listened to the sweet sounds of jazz carried up to the rafters, as guests mingled under wooden masts imbibing wine, shrimp cocktails and homemade Reuben sandwiches. 

While the event was a lighthearted affair, BRLT member Ernst Benzien offered a sobering thought.

“There's a moratorium on land because we don't have the resources to guarantee perpetuity. So all the fundraising now, 100 percent of it, is to guarantee that it will be here for future generations,” Benien said. “The reality is it's a volunteer organization, and younger people need to get involved.”

While annual fundraising events help sustain BRLT's commitment to provide public access to the region's 21 preserves, the all-volunteer organization continues to host new events every year.

When BRLT launched its Stewardship Campaign at the German themed Volksmarch in June, the organization set its sites on a $3 million goal to sustain their mission for future generations. Currently $1.7 million has been raised, according to BRLT president Jim Dun.

“Most of these people are great believers in the land trust,” Dun said. “This shipyard is great friends of ours, and we've had wonderful help from all these restaurants.”

The island dinner excursion was first of its kind for BRLT, but based on the buzz generated, the event could be expanded on next year.