DIXFIELD — Ralph and Norine Clarke have chaired the annual Dixfield Main Street Outdoor Market for 17 years and this will be their last and the last for the town if no one take the reins.

It’s scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 19, and is the town’s largest fundraiser for a variety of community projects. It draws thousands of visitors to between 40 and 70 booths, musicians, and food vendors.

Over the years, Ralph Clarke said money raised has paid for the annual Easter Egg Walk, Halloween Walk, helped support the Dixfield Historical Society, sponsored a local high school girl to attend Girls’ State, and helped buy the old-fashioned, rustic-green town clock.

“It’s time someone else takes it over,” Clarke said. He said the couple would help with next year’s event, but not organize it.

Two people have indicated some interest in chairing the market, but neither has confirmed that, Clarke said.

Clarke said he and Norine have most of the materials needed to get a solid head start on organizing the 2013 event. They have maps of booth placement, a mailing list, applications, postage, envelopes and some money left in the treasury at the Town Office to help with other costs.

Anyone interested in heading up the effort, or to volunteer in any other way, is asked to call the Clarke’s at Log Cabin Craftworks between Tuesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 562-8816.

Clarke said a new organizer should be in place by the middle of May.