The City of Auburn might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of Maine lobster, but it was the location of a fantastically good time on Saturday, August 27 — all to benefit MLA’s #SaveMaineLobstermen campaign.
From left, Cody and Craig Stewart. Carli Stewart photo.
The event was spearheaded by Long Island lobsterman Cody Stewart and hosted by the Village Inn in Auburn. It featured a twin lobster dinner, including corn and potato, dancing to live music by local band Fire in the Hole, and an overwhelmingly successful “silent auction,” which turned into a live auction with guests eagerly trying to outbid each other.
Stewart and his sister, Carli, who are children of Maine Lobstermen's Association board member Craig Stewart, committed themselves to ensuring the event was not only a celebration, but also a successful fundraiser. The evening also demonstrates the importance of Maine’s lobster industry to our state’s overall hospitality industry.
After the lobster feast and auction came the real fun: dancing the night away! MLA photos.
Happy volunteers serve the crowd. Carli Stewart photo.
As the Village Inn’s owner Belinda Vallee said, "People travel to all parts of our state and a large majority of them are here to eat lobster, no matter what region they are visiting." Vallee encourages all business owners who rely on the lobster fishery to get involved either by hosting an event or donating directly to the Save Maine Lobstermen fund.
The MLA would like to thank the Stewart family, Belinda Vallee, Jess Gale, and the many volunteers and donors who worked to ensure this event was a smashing success!