It had to be one of hottest parties ever put on by Boothbay Region Land Trust. Despite a sweltering 90 F heatwave, hungry hikers trickled through Penny Lake Preserve, lured by the promise of bratwursts and cold beer.

Roughly 70 people attended BRLT's inaugural Volksmarch on July 6, a European-style walking event featuring a colorful taste of German culture.

Groups of hikers walked the Pinetree Loop and Penny Lake Preserves; and for the first time, were granted permission to explore the private properties along the “old road” to Boothbay Harbor, out behind the Boothbay Region YMCA.

Volunteers and visitors mingled and danced to the tunes of the “The Space Heaters” band, and in that moment, Penny Lake Preserve became party central, and for good reason, too.

BRLT's Campaign Chairman Nan Davison officially announced the Stewardship Campaign; a goal to raise $3 million to ensure the preservation and educational programs are sustained throughout the region.

“Over the past 33 years, the land trust, with the support of the community has worked to preserve some of this peninsula's most treasured places and important habitats, and it's here for us to enjoy, but more importantly it's here for the generations to come,” Davison said.

The crowd applauded several times not only for the fundraising efforts, but the public access that BRLT has secured and managed since 1980.

“No other organization has that responsibility. So they take on a perpetual stewardship responsibility,” said Rupert Neily, a long time supporter of public land trusts throughout the state.

Neily said having grown up in scenic East Boothbay had a profound impact on him and gave him a moral obligation to preserve the history and character of the area.

For the volksmarch, Neily sought permission of private property owners to gain access to the old Boothbay road that snakes through higher elevations out behind the Boothbay Region YMCA.

According to local historian Barbara Rumsey, when the Mill Cove mill was discontinued in the 1820s, there was no use for a dam, so Penny Lake and the surrounding meadow was drained, allowing for a road to eventually be built through Boothbay Harbor's lower lands.

The old road still exists, and hikers were lucky to walk across its old stone bridges during the volksmarch.

“The trails were beautiful and well maintained and we appreciated the nature along the way,” said Catherine Dun Rappaport of Newton, Mass.

Rappaport was one of many families at the event who said they visit the Boothbay region to experience the beautiful BRLT properties.

“My nieces are visiting, so my husband and I thought we would get them to hike around, and they really enjoyed themselves, especially the sausages,” said Gretchen McKay of Gettysburg, Pa.

Her nieces, Sarah and Kayla Miller of Missouri said they enjoyed the scavenger hunt on the trails and making hats with feathers at the arts and crafts corner. Meanwhile, the adults enjoyed plenty of sauerkraut and beer provided all by local companies.

For years BRLT held annual fundraising events, but never had they held a German-style barbeque, and board members said were eager to have another volksmarch next year.

“We wanted to have a way to get folks outside on our trails, and we thought this would be a different way to do it,” Davison said. “We don't have a gate, we have no daily ticket price, and we don't require that you become a member.

“The only way the land trust operates is solely through the generosity of donors, grant funding and annual fundraising events, like this.”