AUBURN — Lewiston-Auburn businesses will host the Third Annual Summer Block Party Saturday, Aug. 12, to benefit Make-A-Wish and local children.

It will be held from 1 to 9:30 p.m. outside at Mac’s Grill in Auburn and co-hosted by Uncle Andy’s Digest, Mac’s Grill and the city of Auburn.

The event will include food, music, dancing, a 95-foot inflatable obstacle course, Mr. Drew and His Animals Too, face-painting and a magician. Fireworks will be shot at at 9 p.m. Local Make-a-Wish families are invited as the guests of honor.

In the past two years, seven wishes have been granted to local children battling life-threatening illnesses due to the success of the Summer Block Party. What started as an Anniversary Bash for Uncle Andy’s Digest commemorating 20 years in print has turned into the largest external event Make-A-Wish had last year.

Asked to describe the outpouring of support at last summer’s event, Jim Marston of Uncle Andy’s Digest recalls, “Every aspect of the event exceeded our expectations. There is no doubt that the L-A community always steps up when asked to help. We were so proud to see and be part of that.”

Organizers look to raise funds to grant wishes for seven kids facing life-threatening illnesses in the local area. Marston points to the direct benefit to local children as the driving force for choosing Make-A-Wish to partner with.

“There is a very real, very tangible result in supporting Make-A-Wish,” Marston said. “We get to see a wish happen for a child living right in our community and that is really unique.”

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