Charlie and Friends Second Stride Rescue is hosting a fundraising dinner and auction on Thursday, Aug. 18 starting at 5 p.m. at the Carousel Theater, 196 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor.

Tickets for the event are $150 and can be purchased online through Charlie & Friends Facebook page or go to https://tinyurl.com/5n7779hw, and  at Burke’s Island Farm, 20 Lindsay Road, Boothbay – just off Route 27 – with an exclusive “golden ticket” included.

The night kicks off with a viewing of 11 hand-painted carousel horses (life-size and miniature) and other items that will be available via silent auction. The horses are on display now at local businesses. Here are the businesses and the artists who painted them:  Harbor Nutrition/ Suzie Speed; Coastal Maine Popcorn/Lucy-Ann Spaulding; Linekin Bay Resort/Suzie Speed; Janson’s/Bailey Bartlett; Grover’s/Erika Jo Hincks; Nathan’s Pharmacy/Freeman Geyer; Divine Health & Beauty/Olivia May Partner; Bath Savings/Mari McGuire; and BBH Apparel/Sierra Frith.

Early bidding on the carousel horses is possible. Go to https://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/index.cfm?auctionID=30777.

All proceeds will go towards our nonprofit to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome slaughter-bound horses, donkeys, and mules – one life at a time. Current project priorities include construction of a quarantine barn and ongoing care of four recently rescued donkeys! For more information and stories on some of our rescues, follow us on Facebook @ Charlie and Friends Second Stride Rescue.

Dinner, courtesy of Black Label Catering, begins at 6 p.m. A cash bar will be available throughout the evening. The starters: charcuterie board, fresh garden salad, caprese salad, clam chowder, butternut squash soup; main course: bourbon brown sugar steak, oven-roasted chicken; sides: fire-roasted vegetables, croquettes, mashed potatoes, steamed rice, sautéed broccolini; Dessert: coconut macaroons, mini cheesecake, chocolate truffles.

Please join us for a fun evening and help us help these wonderful equines.