





The 16th Annual Dempsey Challenge is upon us a time to celebrate, a time to honor, and a time to rally together to make life better for people impacted by cancer.
Thank you for choosing to take on the Challenge this year and thank you for the part you have played in raising $2 million to support cancer patients, survivors, care partners, bereaved, families, and loved ones. Your efforts this year are making a difference in the lives of the almost 3,000 people who walk through the physical and virtual doors of the Dempsey Center.
Whether this is your 16th time at Dempsey Challenge, your first time, or any time in between, we are grateful to have you as part of our Dempsey Community. Because of you, people are able to access services such as oncology counseling, support groups, education, nutrition consultations, movement + fitness classes, massages, and so much more while on their cancer journey. And they get to do so all at no cost.
We are so grateful for your time, your talent, and your dedication to our mission and we can’t wait to RALLY TOGETHER with you.
Together, we are making life better for people impacted by cancer. Thank you for taking on the 2024 Dempsey Challenge.
-Dempsey Challenge Team, Local Organizing Committees, and Dempsey Center Staff + Board of Directors
@DempseyCenter @Dempsey Center @DempseyCenter #DempseyChallenge #RallyTogether
PRESENTED BY
29 Lowell St. Lewiston, ME
Thursday, September 19th | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday, September 20th | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Picking up your Dempsey Challenge Packet is the first step to a successful weekend.
Due to traffic, volume, and efficiency, we are offering Packet Pick-Up on Thursday and Friday at our Lewiston location.
During Packet Pick-Up, Challengers who have met their fundraising minimum can pick up their packet containing their t-shirt, bib, and other goodies. Additional donations and in-person registrations will also be accepted.
Tour our original Dempsey Center location in Lewiston and discover how your support is making life better for people impacted by cancer in Maine and beyond. Plus, if you visit each part of the tour, you'll be entered to win an eBike from our friends at Berlin City!
Please note that the Dempsey Center is located on the 5th floor. While we do have stairs and elevators, if you have concerns about accesibility, please email us at info@dempseychallenge org so we can make accommodations for you.
Please note that TEAMS must have met their fundraising minimum to get their bibs (total of $750). Individual suggested fundraising minimum is $300.
When you arrive to Simard-Payne Park, make your way to the Spinathon Tent. Here, you will connect with the Jibe team to get your bike assignment, set up your station, and get ready to spin the day away!
Based on your fundraising level, be sure to pick up any incentives you’ve earned before you leave the park. Details can be found later in this guide!
7am | 8am | 9am | 10am | 11am | 12pm
Spread the word or register for more classes here
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st
6:15a Park Opens to Challengers | Simard-Payne Park
7:00a Opening Remarks | Poland Spring Entertainment Stage 8:45a
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your event start time for staging.
8:30a - 3:00p Festival in the Park | Simard-Payne Park
11:00a Kids’ Fun Run | Start Chute on Oxford Street
1:00p Survivor Walk | Simard-Payne Park 1:15p
MERCHANDISE
SEATING
HOSPITALITY STAGE BEVERAGE MISSION
LUMINARY KIDSZONE MEDICAL BAG&BIKECHECK
HOPE&HEALING TREES
Dempsey Goods, our official Dempsey Challenge merchandise will be for sale throughout the weekend. Cashless pay options will be available
Saturday, September 21st
9:15-9:30 am - Julia Gagnon
9:45-10:30 am - Camp of Rock 10:45-11:30 am - Owen Conforte 11:45 a - 12:45 p - Toby McAllister 2:45-3:30 pm - Bazinga!
Registration for the Kids Fun Run, presented by TD Bank will begin at 10:30AM at the Oxford Street Hydration Tent. The run will begin promptly at 11:00AM in the Event Start Chute on Oxford Street.
The photo wall will be available in the park on Saturday, presented by Dirigo Federal Credit Union. We will have volunteers ready to take photos on our camera or on yours! Photos will be available via CrowdPic around September 30th.
Action shots will be taken on course and at the finish line and uploaded to CrowdPic for easy viewing. The link to access these images will be sent after Challenge Weekend. Thank you to RAM Sports Photography and Miniature Media for capturing the day!
There is lots of fun even for the kids in the Kidz Zone! Stop by for games, books, and event a visit from a miniature therapy horse, “Toast” from Impact Horse!
Blueberry Mimosas. Tickets can be purchased for $5 per ticket/beverage. Cash and credit/debit cards accepted.
To enter the Maine Craft Beer + Wine Garden Tent, you will need a bracelet Bracelets can be picked up following an ID check at the entrance to the tent or at any ID check station.
Our family-friendly lemonade stand, staffed by the Daniels Family longtime Dempsey Challenge volunteers, is back again this year! Lemonade is free to everyone in the park!
Celebrate and Honor people impacted by cancer in the Dempsey Center Mission Tent. Here, you can create a sign for a fellow Challenger, create and leave behind a Remembrance Flag, share your story, and learn more about Dempsey Center services
Supporters of the Dempsey Challenge and the Dempsey Center are joining us in the park this year! Be sure to stop by to learn more about what they do and why they are supporting the Dempsey Center this year.
The Luminary Tent, presented by CMP, is open to Challengers who have raised $10,000 or more.
Please park in any of the goldshaded areas below ADA Accessible parking can be found in the marked areas. Please do not park in the Hampton Inn parking lot unless you are a guest of the hotel. The Lincoln St. Garage and the Chesnut St. Garage are free to park on Challenge day.
After parking, please head into Simard-Payne Memorial Park Here, you can fill up your water bottles, meet up with your team, pin on your bibs, and get ready to start your Challenge event! Have a problem with your bib or question about your event? Please visit the Customer Service Tent near the entrance of the park.
The best Dempsey Challenge incentive is knowing you're helping to make life better for people living with the impact of cancer but a little recognition never hurts!
Incentives will be distributed in the park in the Incentive Tent. We encourage all participants to pick up their earned items after completing your event Your fundraising level will be locked in after picking up your incentive items. So get those donations in before you pick up your items!
Virtual Participant incentives will begin shipping in October to the address submitted during registration. If you are participating virtually, but live near Lewiston-Auburn, you are welcome to pick up your items in the park, too! Stop by the Incentive Tent and pick them up at any time on September 21st Any questions about virtual incentive delivery can be sent to info@dempseychallenge.org and we will respond following Dempsey Challenge Weekend.
BOTTLE
$2,000
$3,000
COTTONTHROW BLANKET $5,000
LOBSTERDINNER FOR2 $7,500
$10,000
LUMINARYTENT ACCESSDURING CHALLENGE WEEKEND, HANDMADECUTTING BOARD+MORE!
$15,000
$20,000
CUSTOMSHOES
Please be sure to wash and/or sanitize your hands often, maintain social distance where you are able, and consider fist and elbow bumps in lieu of high fives. Additionally, we hope that all those who join us in the park respect the decisions regarding masking made by fellow Challengers, staff, volunteers, and attendees. Please join us in reducing our impact on the environment by composting food scraps and recycling other materials by placing waste in their designated bins. Our Green Team, presented in conjunction with our partner, Casella, thank you in advance!
We all love those furry friends, but we highly encourage you to leave your pets at home. If you do bring your dog into the park, please clean up after them. We also ask that you keep them out of the food tent and our Dempsey Dog tent.
Per City of Lewiston ordinance, smoking is prohibited in Simard-Payne Memorial Park. We also ask that you do not smoke on the course.
Barring severe weather conditions, the Dempsey Challenge will proceed despite poor weather. Runners, walkers, and riders should be prepared for high winds, a wide range of temperatures, heavy rainfall, or even snow
Given that weather can change during the events, weather-related announcements may need to be issued after your event begins. Please continue to check social media, alert signs at Rest Stops, or in RaceJoy.
Dempsey Challenge reserves the right to postpone event start times, reduce ride length, restrict ride options, or cancel the ride to ensure the safety of its participants. We will do everything we can to communicate any changes promptly. In all cases, Challengers are responsible for their own safety and should use their best judgement when deciding whether or not to continue if severe weather conditions exist. SAG Drivers will be on hand should you need to stop participating and need to get back to Simard-Payne Park.
Thank you to all of our Sponsors and Partners
AETNA
ANTIGONI’SPIZZA
BERNSTEINSHUR
BLOWBROS
BURGESSTECHNOLOGY
CABOTCREAMERY
CHILD’SPLAY
CHINET
CHLOEWINECOLLECTION
COFFEEHOUND
CUPCAKEVINEYARDS
DIRIGOFCU
GOUDREAU’S&SONSGOLFCARTS
HARVARDPILGRIMHEALTHCARE
HEADLIGHTA/V
HILTONGARDENINN
HUBINTERNATIONAL
ICEPIKVODKA
LATENT&AWNING
L/AMUSICPRODUCTIONS
LEPAGEBAKERIES
LONEPINEBREWING
LUKE’SLOBSTER
MARTIN’SPOINTHEALTHCARE
MAREBROOKFARM
MASON’SBREWING
MAILINGSUNLIMITED
MAILHOT’SBESTSAUSAGE
MAINEGRAINS
NORTHEASTDELTADENTAL
PINELANDFARMS
PERFORMANCEFOODGROUP
PORTLANDPARTYBIKE
RAMSPORTSPHOTOGRAPHY
PURITANMEDICALPRODUCTS
PRESSSELTZER
RICKERHILLORCHARDS
SACO&BIDDEFORDSAVINGS
SIDEBYEACHBREWING
SPECTRUMHEALTHCARE
SUNBELTRENTALS
TAPTRUCK
TEESHIRTBAR
USCELLULAR
VINTAGEMAINECHIPS
WDMATTHEWS
WICKEDWHOOPIES
WYMAN’S
SATURDAY,SEPTEMBER21ST
6:30PM-9:30PM
Enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, and tons of fun. Admission is free and open to the public. Plus, $1 from every pour of the featured brew, The Sexiest Kölsch Alive, will go to the Dempsey Center!