CAMBRIDGE — The community nonprofit that helps staff and operate the Choptank River Lighthouse is planning to give the beacon a birthday party to remember this year. The “lucky seventh” anniversary of the opening of the lighthouse will be celebrated at a waterfront “Light Night Cambridge!” party on Aug. 24.

Tickets for the fourth annual event are now on sale at the Dorchester Visitor Center (daily), the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce (weekdays), and the Lighthouse itself (Fri-Sun only). Tickets are also available online at LightNightCambridge.com.

The event, which will be held at the Cambridge Yacht Club, will feature dancing, auctions, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and more, all within sight of the Lighthouse on the banks of the Choptank River.
“Dorchester County has a lot to celebrate when it comes to our Lighthouse,” says Cassie Burton, president of the nonprofit Cambridge Lighthouse Foundation. “This has been a grassroots community undertaking from day one, and that makes the success of the Lighthouse all the more gratifying.”

More than 25,000 people have learned about the area’s maritime heritage by visiting the Lighthouse. The guest book near the front door is dotted with the names of states from around the union and far-off countries from around the world.

The Lighthouse has also become a symbol for the revitalization of Cambridge, with photos and paintings of the replica beacon featured in countless publications, websites, and galleries in the Delmarva region — and far beyond as well.

Proceeds from the Light Night! affair benefit the nonprofit Cambridge Lighthouse Foundation, whose mission is to help Dorchester County make the most of the Lighthouse as a tourism and economic development tool.

The Foundation markets and promotes the Lighthouse. It puts on various events, activities, and tours. And it organizes the volunteer “keepers” who greet visitors to the Lighthouse every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. A key role for those keepers is connecting visitors with other shops, restaurants, and attractions in the county.

Volunteers are also at the heart of the Light Night event. The committee planning the event includes Maris Wicker, Lori Powley, Cassie Burton, Cheryl Willey, Jennifer Grier, Nancy Johnson, Sharon (Sam) Borg Wall, and Jim Duffy, the Foundation’s part-time director.

Festivities run from 6-10 p.m. on Aug. 24. Tickets cost $55 apiece. For questions or additional information, email ChoptankLighthouse@gmail.com or call 410-463-2653.