Almost 90 people came out to Kermess at Pownalborough Court House in Dresden to raise money for Lincoln County Historical Association (LCHA). The beautiful fall evening featured a pig roast and music provided by Married with Chitlins. Like many other annual events, the fundraiser was cancelled last September. Kermess is a Dutch word meaning “outdoor fundraising festival.”

Just over $6,000 was raised during the cake and experiences auction. The cake portion started off with Wiscasset resident Chris Erickson winning the bid for a triple chocolate peanut butter cookie cake for $600. That turned out to be the highest bid of the night for the cakes though multiple cakes went for over $200. Veteran auctioneer Kaja Veilleux presided and reminded bidders that “the more you pay, the better the cake will be!” Attendees bid on 12 cakes and pies and 12 experiences including hot air balloon rides, a scenic flight over the Midcoast,  and tickets to the Cabbage Island Clambake.

LCHA Executive Director Shannon Gilmore said, “After last year, we didn’t know what to expect, but the support has been great. We even had people who couldn’t come to the event buy tickets to be supportive.”

The event also drew four-legged supporters. Katie Waters attended with Muldoon, her wolfhound. She said Muldoon, which means “chief of the fort,” was the official canine docent for the court house and he was available to give tours to any dogs who were interested. However, on this particular night, Muldoon seemed more interested in the smell coming from the pig roast.

Before introducing event chair Christine Hopf-Lovette, Gilmore said she’d asked her kids what was important about history and her youngest daughter replied “It’s important so we can know what we did good and do more of it.”

LCHA’s next major event is a fashion show Oct.  9, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Montsweag Farm Restaurant in Woolwich.