Organizers of the upcoming Shellstock fund-raiser will honor the memory of one of their biggest supporters and greatest friends by launching a memorial scholarship named for the late John Borden Jr., who passed away in June at age 81.

The annual fund-raiser for the Shellfish Propagation Fund runs Saturday, August 17, at the fairgrounds at 200 Pine Hill Road.

As in past years there will be music, dancing, and plenty of shellfish and other food, and as always the profits will be put into the town’s shellfish propagation fund and used to purchase shellfish for planting in the Westport River.

This year, proceeds from the annual 50/50 raffle will also be used to honor the memory of Borden, a long-time commercial fisherman, shellfish relay volunteer and respected captain here for many years.

Details of the “John Borden Memorial Maritime Scholarship” are still being worked out. But Chris Leonard, director of marine services in Westport, said he and others believe it’s a fitting tribute to a man who gave much of his life to protect the town’s marine environment. The scholarship will be given to a student entering the marine trades, Leonard said.

Borden was one of a kind, Leonard said, and a fixture along the water for many years. As recently as this Spring, he was at the tiller of the harbormaster’s Carolina Skiff when volunteers spread this year’s seed shellfish into the Westport River.

“Every day,” Leonard said when asked how often Borden could be found down on the water. “He had a passion for the work of the shellfish department in planting.”

This year’s Shellstock runs from 3 to 7 p.m. and apart from music by The Funkies, will also feature a set by the Westport River Rats. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased here.