DIXFIELD — Ralph and Norine Clarke have spent years helping to run the Main Street outdoor market. Next year they are hoping to find someone to fill their shoes.
The Dixfield outdoor market is held annually on Main Street on the third Sunday in August. The proceeds go to various organizations around the River Valley area.
The event generally brings in $500 to $800.
The Clarkes have held various positions, including chairperson, on the outdoor market committee since 1994. Norine Clarke is also a selectman for the town.
“It’s just time we took a break from running the event,” Norine said.
Anyone interested in chairing the 2012 outdoor market is encouraged to contact Norine at 562-8816.
A news release from the outdoor market committee said it is thankful that so many groups could be helped and they appreciated all the participants who joined in, including the police and highway departments.
The committee announced this week the organizations that would be the recipients of this year’s proceeds. The Dixfield Halloween walk, House of Peace, Dixfield Common Baptist Church food pantry, and the chamber Easter egg hunt were on the list.
Funds will also be given to the Bullrock replacement fund. The town mascot, a wooden replica of a moose, was blown over and destroyed this summer during a thunderstorm. It had been a fixture in town for the past 10 years.
The economic development council has begun raising funds to replace the moose instead of using tax dollars.
The town has started selling “The Moose is Loose” T-shirts, which are available for $10 at the Dixfield Town Office and Log Cabin Craftworks. The cost to have another life-size moose carved is estimated at about $5,000.
Organizers hope the new Bullrock will be placed in the village green site this spring.
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