DerbyFest is proud to have netted and donated over $230,000 over the last two years of the event. The event has grown into so much more than ice fishing with the Festival area at Raymond Beach, The Aubuchon Hardwater Challenge at the Point Sebago Resort, The Bushmaster Firearms Sebago Lake Air Show, and the newly added Imagine Wireless/ NEXTEL Snowmobile Speed Run near Raymond Beach.
Rather than charge admission to each sub-event, we ask for visitors and spectators to make a $10 charitable donation to park their automobiles, regardless of the number of people in the vehicle. We do this for each day of the event. All Ice Fishing Derby entrants receive FREE parking to all events – simply show us your Derby Registration Tag and you will be waved through.
The Bushmaster Firearms Airshow on Saturday is expected to draw significant spectator traffic to the event this year. If you want to park in the vicinity of Raymond Beach, plan to arrive early. Once parking areas in and around Raymond Beach reach capacity, shuttle parking lots in Windham along Route 302 will be your best bet for parking. Shuttle busses are used extensively for PGA events with great success – spectators need to plan on extra time to get to and from the event. Our shuttle buses will run regularly up to 4 p.m. with drop off and pickup at the Raymond Beach area. Those who use the shuttle will not be stranded at the event.
DerbyFest loves the fact that many choose to attend by snowmobile because it relieves some of the parking pressure. Snowmobilers this year will notice a significant amount of snow fence not seen at previous events. The snowfence has two main purposes. First, and most importantly, SAFETY. And secondly it is a method to collect more dollars for charity. Preferred Parking Areas (PPA’s) will be accessible to snowmobilers and 4-wheelers who choose to make a $10 donation to charity and purchase a Sled Pass which is worn on a hoop on your jacket like a ski resort pass (One pass for each sled or ATV). Purchase of the Sled Pass will provide Preferred Parking to all events, on all three days. Like automobile parking, all Ice Fishing Derby entrants with their registration tags will receive FREE Preferred Parking accesss for their sleds and ATV’s.
Lastly, remember that charging for parking is a way to improve the bottom line for donations to charity. Considerable time, energy, and expense is devoted to run Maine’s Premier Winter Event well before the first car or snowmobile is asked to pay for parking. You can have confidence in the Sebago Lakes Rotary Club’s ability to generate and conserve dollars for charitable causes.
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