Barbecue and Blues is the theme for this year’s Kermess, the annual fundraising party to support the mission of Lincoln County Historical Association. The July 22 event, that begins at 5 p.m. on the grounds of the pre-Revolutionary Pownalborough Court House in Dresden, includes dinner, an auction, and toe-tapping entertainment by Maine’s blues band, Matt and the Barnburners.

The association’s party planning committee has been hard at work gathering auction items that might appeal to anyone who would rather build memories than acquire more ‘stuff.’ A cake walk of desserts will be held, created by the association’s best bakers. In addition, guests can bid on vacation cottages, spa packages, a flight over the midcoast, a boat ride and picnic on the Sheepscot, an overnight package in Portland, a trip to Monhegan, and more.

Tickets to Kermess at Pownalborough Court House are now on sale for $50 at www.lincolncountyhistory.org. Diners will have a choice of barbecue or vegetarian meals.

Kermess, by the way, is a Dutch word for an outdoor fundraising festival.

The Lincoln County Historical Association is a nonprofit organization that provides stewardship for the 1754 Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta, the 1761 Pownalborough Court House in Dresden, and the 1811 Old Jail and Museum in Wiscasset. For more information, visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org or Facebook at Lincoln County Historical Association (Maine).