Because the Touch-a-Truck fundraiser for the March of Dimes at Wiscasset Speedway a few Sundays ago was held on a rainy, blustery day, organizer Aubrey Martin began work on rescheduling another fundraising event through the support of the state director of the March of Dimes.

After contacting the participants and sponsors of the Touch-a-Truck event, Martin is happy to announce that Duck Puddle Campground in Nobleboro will be holding a Family Carnival and Barbecue to Support the March of Dimes on Sunday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In a letter to the newspaper, Martin said of the rained-out event, "We all braved it for the kids. Most of our vehicles still showed up and braved it all. Our vendors and sponsors lost their tents. We had over one hundred people show up, including many of my friends with their families, who came to support the March of Dimes, and me, frankly. The event was rain or shine, but who knew the rain would be quite like that? We had to shut down the event. Things were just flying everywhere, and it just wasn't safe anymore. I was so disappointed; this was supposed to be an amazing event, filled with so many things for the kids to do, and I hated turning families away as we were closing up.

"I also do this event, as I do all March of Dimes events, in memory of our son, Garron, who was born prematurely. The March of Dimes works to prevent prematurity and birth defects in this state, and has been an incredibly important organization to my family, so much so that I began working in the Scarborough office in January 2014 to help other families like my own."

Hildy Ginsberg, the state director at the March of Dimes, gave Martin the support to hold another event.

"I got on the phone and called my friends and Touch-a-Truck sponsors," said Martin in her letter. "Lisa and James at the Kidz Closet to ask if they would be up for it. I knew they would say yes. They are always up for community events, and they are huge supporters of the March of Dimes. 

“Next up, a message to my friend Meredith Blakesley at Duck Puddle Campground, another Touch-a-Truck sponsor, to see if we could use her venue to stage an event. Again, ‘yes.’ The Grimes and Blakesleys, again, huge supporters of community events and outreach."

Martin said the new event began to take shape with boat rides, hay rides and: "My friend Margaret at the Boothbay Railway Village offered up her chief engineer, Brain Fanslau, to drive their antique fire truck around the campground." There will be carnival games, prizes, vendors, face painting, a bounce house donated by Ames, a barbecue, swimming, an on-site playground and more.

"It will be a different event than Touch-a-Truck, but it won't disappoint," said Martin. "It will be a time for families to play and laugh and enjoy the Maine summer."

Martin also wished to thank her sponsors: Renys, Hannaford, The Kidz Closet, Julie's Critter Care, Duck Puddle Campground, Ralph's Homes, Clark Farms, The Animal House, The First, Cheney Insurance, Camden National Bank, Seawicks Candle Company, LincolnHealth, Norm's Used Cars, Atlantic Motorcar, Mia's Shear Perfection, Wiscasset/Bath Auto Parts, Supplies Unlimited and Wiscasset Newspaper/Boothbay Register. She also recognized the MIKA karate kids, "who stood in the rain waiting for their turn, but never got the chance because it's not supposed to be 52 degrees and pouring at the end of June."

Martin said that if it rains on July 26, the event will be rescheduled.