BANGOR – In an effort to raise laughs as well as money, Eastern Maine Community College hosted its first Comedy Institute Challenge on Saturday evening.

An audience of more than 200 at Rangeley Hall was treated to stand-up comedy featuring 10 amateur comedians from local businesses and organizations vying to win the award for “funniest place in town.”

The eclectic group used varying comedic styles, ranging from one-liners to prop gags, to draw everything from belly laughs to groans from the audience.

In keeping with the Comedy Institute theme, the comedians sat at school desks, the audience’s tables were decorated with apples and dunce caps, and the event was hosted by Maine humorist and self-described dean of comedy, Gary Crocker, who referred to the comedians as his “class.”

A panel of three judges determined who would take home the top two honors, which were titled “valedictorian” and “salutatorian.”

The judges were Bangor Mayor Dan Tremble, former Bangor Mayor Nichi Farnham, and state Rep. Joe Perry.

Bangor Daily News employee Chris Quimby was selected valedictorian and awarded a free dinner for eight at EMCC’s Rangeley Cafe as well as a small trophy, which Crocker jokingly described as an “incredible trophy which may fall apart.”

Quimby won by dryly setting up his jokes and then deftly delivering his punch lines. At one point he explained that he had been raised in a military family, then added, “My great-grandfather was drafted into the Salvation Army, he’s currently stationed at the Bangor Mall. That man has seen a lot of change.”

Second-place finisher, Dave Rode from Q106.5 radio, garnered one of the biggest laughs when he told the audience he once had to break up with a girlfriend due to religious differences. “I am a practicing Catholic – she was Satan,” he said.

Other highlights of the night included U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud performing a short stand-up routine, EMCC’s Bob Brown escaping from a straitjacket, and Merrill Merchants Bank’s Charlie Hart futilely attempting to keep his jokes clean.

All proceeds from the event will benefit EMCC’s Capital Campaign and help pay for construction of the college’s new Katahdin Hall.

“We’re receiving money through donations and we’ve also received … a $178,000 [federal] grant,” said EMCC President Joyce Hedlund.

While the main aim of Saturday night’s event was to raise money, Crocker stressed that an equally important goal was to have fun.

“You need to have a serious side to be successful in life,” he said, “but you need a sense of humor to survive.”