Can your dog carry a hot dog in his mouth without eating it? Would he (and you) like to be in a pooch parade?

Any bidders on an L.L.Bean kayak? An antique sofa? Theme baskets?

Shh. It's a silent auction.

These activities and more are set to make up Summerfest 2013 at the Wiscasset Town Common on July 27. This will be the 30th year the First Congregational Church of Wiscasset has put on the event. The objective is the same as always, to raise money the church will give to several community organizations, Summerfest Committee Chairman Nancy Roby said.

“Mission is very important to us, and raising money to support the  organizations means a lot,” she said.

Summerfest is the biggest event the church does; it takes a lot of work, said Roby, who's been helping with it all 30 years. The scope of activities has grown over the years, she said.

The dog events are in their eighth year. A $5 entry fee covers both the parade and the contests that follow.

Church member and Summerfest dog parade veteran Linda Winterburg hopes to be in it this year with her pug Phoebe.

“It's just a great part of Summerfest,” Winterburg said. She and Phoebe are not in training for the contests afterward, however. They don't plan to compete in them.

The two have no plans to be in costume for the parade, either. But Winterburg didn't rule out a last-minute decision.

As for the silent auction, more than 40 items have been collected so far, the auction's chairman Margot Stiassni-Sieracki said.

The fair also features the “Candy Kitchen” and the “On Common Cafe,” children's games, local musicians, and tables of jewelry, books, toys, baked goods, plants and other items, according to a church press release.

Summerfest runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Common. The parade of dogs begins at 10 a.m., followed by the canine contests. Anyone wishing to enter should try to arrive by 9:45 a.m., organizers said.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or susanjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com