HARPSWELL — Two organizations, “Fishing Families for Harpswell” and the Harpswell Coastal Academy, held a fundraiser Saturday evening to raise funds for the Fishing Families’ scholarship fund, the PTO, the Harpswell Community Preschool, and the Harpswell Coastal Academy, which will open its doors for the first time on September 3.

The Shore Dinner, as it is called, was held by the pier at Mitchell Field, off Rt. 123.

Meals began to be served at 4:30.  By 5:30, over 500 were served.  The Shore Dinner would continue until 7:30 p.m.  A normal number for the whole evening fundraiser is 400 meals served.

Cost per dinner was $25, including a lobster, a bag of mussels, corn, potatoes, and dessert, but hamburgers and hot dogs were available, too.

The benefit supper didn’t happen in 2012, but it was resurrected this year.  The eagerly anticipated event, served by lobstermen wearing waders, normally benefits college-bound children of fishing families, as well as the Parent Teacher Organization.  This year,  the new charter school was added to the list of beneficiaries. 

The PTO made the desserts for the event.