WINDHAM – This year’s Octoberfest, the culmination of an annual fundraiser for Lakes Region food pantries, attracted some 5,000 participants and raised nearly $18,000, according to organizers.

The festival, held Saturday in the Buck’s Naked BBQ parking lot in Windham, marked the final day of the annual Community Coin Challenge, which raised money for 13 food pantries across the region. Through the challenge, more than 200 Mason jars were distributed in the 10 towns across the region represented by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, which hosted both the challenge and Octoberfest.

According to organizer Sherri Huff, about 3,500 people attended last year’s event. Aimee Senatore, executive director of the chamber, said a similar amount of money was raised last year. About $4,000 was raised through coin jar donations at the Octoberfest event, itself, Senatore said.

“That’s significant,” Senatore said. “That’s much more than we have had in previous years.”

About 50 businesses participated in this year’s event, which included 15 new activities, including trick-or-treating at the dozens of event booths and a costume parade.

Octoberfest was sponsored by Windham Weaponry for the third year in a row. Checks will be issued to the local food pantries at the chamber’s Nov. 23 business break. The money is distributed proportionally, according to how many people each pantry serves, Senatore said.

A brave Jason Gagnon, co-owner of Northstar Mortgage in Windham, prepares for another dip in the dunk tank at Saturday’s third annual Octoberfest celebration.  Aimee Senatore, executive director of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, deals with the aftermath of the first Octoberfest pumpkin-carving contest.  

WINDHAM – This year’s Octoberfest, the culmination of an annual fundraiser for Lakes Region food pantries, attracted some 5,000 participants and raised nearly $18,000, according to organizers.

The festival, held Saturday in the Buck’s Naked BBQ parking lot in Windham, marked the final day of the annual Community Coin Challenge, which raised money for 13 food pantries across the region. Through the challenge, more than 200 Mason jars were distributed in the 10 towns across the region represented by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, which hosted both the challenge and Octoberfest.

According to organizer Sherri Huff, about 3,500 people attended last year’s event. Aimee Senatore, executive director of the chamber, said a similar amount of money was raised last year. About $4,000 was raised through coin jar donations at the Octoberfest event, itself, Senatore said.

“That’s significant,” Senatore said. “That’s much more than we have had in previous years.”

About 50 businesses participated in this year’s event, which included 15 new activities, including trick-or-treating at the dozens of event booths and a costume parade.

Octoberfest was sponsored by Windham Weaponry for the third year in a row. Checks will be issued to the local food pantries at the chamber’s Nov. 23 business break. The money is distributed proportionally, according to how many people each pantry serves, Senatore said.

A brave Jason Gagnon, co-owner of Northstar Mortgage in Windham, prepares for another dip in the dunk tank at Saturday’s third annual Octoberfest celebration.  Aimee Senatore, executive director of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, deals with the aftermath of the first Octoberfest pumpkin-carving contest.