Boothbay will host the Maine State Fire Fighters Association (MSFFA) Convention sooner than expected. The town was slated to host the event in 2018, but will now host it in 2017.

The MSFFA selects hosts three years in advance with the goal of alternating between northern and southern Maine communities. The association selected Winslow for the 2017 event, but the central Maine community is not prepared to host it.

The association asked Boothbay Fire Chief Richard Spofford if the Boothbay region could host the event a year earlier.

“It takes a lot of preparation to host this event,” Spofford said. “We’ve done it before and we’re working with the same crew as last time so we told them we could do it.”

Boothbay hosted the convention in 2008. It was the first time a Lincoln County department had done it. Spofford said Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb fire departments are hosting the convention in conjunction with Boothbay. 

The 54th MSFFA Convention will take place Sept. 7-10, 2017.  The convention is held annually the weekend after Labor Day. The event will have the same format as past years. Vendors will display the latest versions of firefighting equipment. Spofford reported space has been reserved in the Boothbay Region YMCA’s field house to house the vendors. On Saturday, a parade is held and later that night, a dinner and dance are scheduled.

On Sunday, the fire departments compete in a muster which displays their firefighting skills. The Boothbay region fire departments will hold another event it didn’t sponsor in 2008. A 9/11 Tribute is scheduled at Boothbay Region Elementary School in Boothbay Harbor.

Spofford expects the convention will be a boon to the local economy.

“It’s a lot of work with the planning. We’re meeting once a month to make sure everything is ready,” he said. “This event brings in between 4,000 to 5,000 people. It’s great to see them staying in the region’s motels and eating in the restaurants. This brings in a lot people who might not know what a great place the Boothbay region is. So from an economic development standpoint, it’s well worth the effort.”

The Boothbay region submitted a letter in 2015 asking to host the 2018 convention. According to Spofford, the association selects municipalities and regions which can handle a large weekend event.

The 53rd MSFFA Convention will take place this fall in York Village.