LEWISTON — With weeks to spare, the Dempsey Challenge’s ride-walk-and-run fundraiser hit its registration ceiling of 3,500 people.

Organizers plan to begin a waiting list next week of those still eager to join the Oct. 4 event created by actor and Maine native Patrick Dempsey. Meanwhile, those same organizers are trying to forecast local interest in the first-of-its-kind event for Lewiston-Auburn. Plans call for a festival at Simard-Payne Memorial
Park in Lewiston potentially drawing thousands more people.

“We know for a fact that we’re going to have over 3,000 participants,” said Mark Turcotte, a spokesman for the challenge.
“But beyond that, it’s anybody’s guess. We’re hoping for a great turnout.”

Interest in the challenge’s bike ride and accompanying walk/run might suggest big crowds. Registration surpassed all goals.

“When September got here is really when the registration started to
go into high gear,” Turcotte said. “We took a look at the numbers and said, ‘We’ve got to
do something.'”

“To have nearly a third of our registrants register for this event in eight days, it just was incredible,” he said.

At the downtown park, where the noncompetitive athletics will begin and end, the event will host a KidZone,
a health and wellness expo, live entertainment, health screenings, an art workshop
and more. Admission to the park, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., will be free.

The KidZone will feature a treasure hunt and craft
area along with an inflatable obstacle course and Hummer vehicle provided by the
Maine National Guard, bounce houses from Funtimes Kids Entertainment, Home Depot
building workshop, Nintendo Wii games and face painting from
St. Dominic Regional High School. The Maine Red Claws will supply a basketball hoop and
visit from their mascot, Crusher. A kids’ “Fun Run” will take place at 10:30
a.m.

Family entertainment acts include Two: High Energy Juggling, L-A Harley Band,
Maine Red Claws Dance Team, Zack Pomerleau Blues Band, Maine Event Cheering,
Belly Dancing for Breast Cancer, Pelletier’s Karate demonstration, Tinpanic
Steel Band, comedian Mike Miclon and more.

“To the best of my knowledge, the performances we have scheduled are donated,” Turcotte said.

The aim of the festival and its health-related events is to raise health awareness and money for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing.

Dempsey, who grew up in Turner and Buckfield, announced the event last
December. His center opened in 2008 at
Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. Its purpose: To help people
diagnosed with cancer and their families

The Oct. 4 challenge includes a bike ride around Lewiston-Auburn and
nearby towns with 10-, 25-, 50- and 100-mile routes. There is also a 5K
walk/run. It is a noncompetitive fundraiser. Professional cyclists George Hincapie, a five-time Olympian, and David Zabriskie, a Tour de France time-trial record holder, have signed on to ride alongside Dempsey.

For Dempsey, it ought to be a particularly hectic day. Press from around the country are expected to be covering the ride and the “Grey’s Anatomy” star.

“He’s going to be riding the 50, and he’s going to be addressing the
crowd,” Turcotte said. “Obviously, his schedule is going to be incredibly tight.”

He is also expected to be surrounded by a growing force of volunteers. More are needed for roles as varied as course marshal and rest stop worker to posts throughout the festival.

“Right now we’re approaching 500 volunteers and, believe it or not, we need more,” Turcotte said.

For more information on the event or to register as a volunteer, see the Dempsey Challenge Web site at www.dempseychallenge.org.

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