SANFORD — How do you like your cupcakes? Do you like chocolate ones with a generous swoop of 7-Minute frosting? How about vanilla, with buttercream? Or are you one of those folks who like a dollop of filling inside — whether it be a tart bite of lemon curd to counteract the sweet cake — or a burst of creamy frosting to complement what’s on top?

Decisions, decisions … they weigh heavily — and on Friday evening, folks will be able to sample many, many cupcakes, make those difficult decisions, and then cast a “people’s choice” vote for their favorite.

The event, organized by York County Community Action Corporation to benefit their intergenerational learning center for kids and for adults who need daily care, takes place 6 to 8 p.m. at Nasson Community Center, 457 Main St. in Springvale.

Altogether, 20 entities — from professional bakers  to bankers  to those who manage assisted living facilities and others — will provide cupcake treats. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door for adults; kids ages 4 to 10 pay $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

Organizer Ericka Sanborn, the volunteer coordinator at YCCAC, said she believes the cupcake-themed fundraiser will be a first for the area.

Sanborn is a fan of the Food Network show Cupcake Wars,  nd said she thought the event would be a hit locally. Bakers have been told to provide enough samples for at least 300 people — and have extras on hand, in case folk want to buy some to take home.

As well as cupcakes, there will be beverages available — Sanborn said she believed milk would be the favorite — after all, who can resist cupcakes and milk?

Along with the “people’s choice” vote, entries will be scored on taste and appearance by a panel of judges including Alysia Zoidis, who was a runner-up in the Food Network show and proprietor of East End Cupcakes in Portland’s Old Port; Gabrielle Michaud, the pastry chef at Walters in the Old Port, and Sanford Springvale Chamber of Commerce President Richard Stanley. 

Among the participants entering cupcakes are some that are unexpected, like Sanford Institution for Savings, Key Bank and Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution.

Banks,  you say? Biddeford & Saco Savings Institution spokeswoman Amanda Lutz said the institution even held an internal competition to decide who would do the baking for the Cupcake Wars contest.

“We knew we had a lot of talented bakers,” said Lutz. In all, the bank had nine entries in their internal competition, with each baker producing six cupcakes — the winner is their baker for Friday’s event.

Sanborn and YCCAC Operations Manager Andrew Lederer say the competition has been well received in the community, with business sponsors  like American Security, Simpson’s Landscaping and Normand Electric, among others, businesses that new to sponsorships, getting involved, he said. 

Proceeds benefit intergenerational program, which will be housed at the former Children’s Center on Amherst Street. Shuttered in the fall of 2015, the longtime child care center building was later purchased by YCCAC. The plans is to create a program for kids and another for older folks who can’t be alone during the day. Each would function in a separate wing of the building, but come together for activity daily.

The cost to renovate the 40-plus year old building, plus a six-month, start-up budget is $3.5 million.

Organizers are hoping Cupcake Wars, which is expected to draw 300 tasters, will generate $10,000 toward the program.

Bakers include: 1690 House Bakeshop & Cafe, A Notch Above, Cherry Blossoms Cakes and Cupcakes, Dwayne’s Delights, Key Bank, Krafts by Kaitlyn, Lil’ Farm Bakery, Little Moon Baking Company, Meetinghouse Village, Naturally Jammin, Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution, Sanford Hannaford, Sanford Institution for Savings, Seal Rock & The Inn at Atlantic Heights, Sodexo/University of New England, TamiCakes, The Bakery at Notre Dame, the Cooking School at Stonewall Kitchen, The Nonantum Resort and The Relatively Stable Horse Stable.

Folks may purchase tickets in advance  at YCCAC, 6 Spruce St. in Sanford, by calling 459-2938, or online at: yccacfundraiser.com. 

What are Sanborn and Lederer’s favorite cupcakes?

“Chocolate peanut butter,” said Lederer without hesitation.

“Vanilla, with vanilla buttercream,” said Sanford, but added, “The last one I ate was the best.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.