LEWISTON — Young professionals gathered at The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing on Tuesday evening for support and networking.

According to Young Professionals of the Lewiston Auburn Area Chairperson Kelly David, the After Hours event is the fourth mixer this year, following venues at Baxter Brewing, the Hilton Garden Inn and Benoit’s Bakery.

Hors’deuvers were passed around the room as drinks flowed from the bar while professionals from plumbers to attorneys mixed and chatted at the center at 29 Lowell St.

David said young was a relative term for the group, comprised of members from 20 to 40 years old. If you’re younger or older than that, David said, “we don’t card.”

Of the group, David said, “We support entrepreneurs, get together, talk business and network.” She said it’s important for young professionals to interact with their peers.

A subset of the Chamber of Commerce, the group helps bring a younger voice to the chamber board, she said.

David said the group strives to help young business owners in developing the downtown area and acknowledges, “Part of what makes a thriving community is (downtown).”

As for the evening’s venue, she said the group wanted to show off The Dempsey Center and with the Dempsey Challenge just around the corner, “It’s a good way for people to see the work of the challenge in action.”

dmcintire@sunjournal.com