The Boothbay Harbor Country Club will be in full swing as 30 sports stars and at least 150 golfers are expected to turn out for the Boothbay Charities celebrity golf tournament, sports auction, and lobster bake on September 27-28.

Some new faces are expected to join the Boothbay's signature fundraiser including Marvin Hubbard of the Oakland Raiders and Patriots Hall of Famer Gino Cappelletti. Other returning celebrities include Bob Allietta, Ron “Haystacks” Hall, Ted Hendricks, Bill Lee, Stump Merrilll, Steve Nelson, Scott Price, Garo Yepremian and many more.

For the past 23 years, the Charities Classic has donated all the proceeds to Special Olympics Maine and last season was the event's record-breaking year, raising $42,000.

“I think it's a wonderful way to raise money and a good community event for Special Olympics and all the athletes in the state of Maine who need it,” said Toby LeConte, the special education director at Boothbay Region Elementary School.

The fundraiser officially kicks off September 27 with a silent sports auction at the Boothbay Railway Village. The silent auction opens at 3 p.m., followed by a lobster bake and a live auction at 6 p.m. under the big top. All events are open to the public.

On September 28, golfers will tee off at the 8:30 a.m. shotgun start, and be paired up with a celebrity golfer for the tournament scramble and while and can compete for various prizes including closest to the pin, longest drive, low-gross, low-net, a putt for dough, and four separate hole-in-one prizes amounting to $10,000.

Charities Classic committee member Tom Erskine said many people look forward to the event every year.

“Most celebrities come here and keep returning here because they love the area, and their wives like the leaf peeping, gift shops, lighthouses, and the walking paths,” Erskine said. “I think Robin Cole’s (of the Pittsburgh Steelers) wife has visited every lighthouse we have in the area.”

Whether it's the scenic September foliage, autographed sports memorabilia, lobster bakes, golfing, or mingling with the celebrities, there is something for everyone, Erskine said. But most importantly to it, “It's always about the Special Olympians.”

Tickets for the golf tournament are $200, which includes all the festivities, while lobster bake tickets can be sold separately for $40 a piece.

Event tickets and sponsorship for holes, tees and carts are still available by calling Brenda Blackman at 207-633-6280.