Two of Maine’s premier winter sports and outdoor events will combine forces in what should be an exciting and fun-filled weekend on the shores of Sebago Lake.
The Maine Winter Fest – the snow sculpture and ice carving competitions and exhibits that showcase amazing frozen creations by international artists – and the Sebago Lake Rotary Club’s Ice Fishing DerbyFest will host a three-day package of jam-packed, snow-filled wintry fun at the Point Sebago Resort in Casco from Friday, Feb. 23, through Sunday, Feb. 25.
This is the seventh annual weekend of frozen festivities for each event and both always draw thousands of in-state and out-of-state participants and spectators. The new location at the 700-plus acres of Point Sebago provides both with an accommodating home base for their many planned activities.
“We’ve had discussions for years,” said Tom Noonan, Director of DerbyFest. “We’ve worked with Ed Jarrett (Director of Maine WinterFest) before. He’s always done a sculpture for us, so we’ve had a good working relationship for seven years.”
And if those seven years have taught either director anything, it’s that you can’t count on the weather and this year is no different.
“We’re set up even if we don’t have ice. We’ll be able to run most of our activities,” said Noonan. “Cold weather would make our life easier, but we’re not so reliant on ideal conditions (as in previous years).”
The home page for Maine WinterFest 2007 Web site describes itself as “a regional event that centers around the art and sport of ice and snow sculpting, while incorporating all that is winter in Maine. The festival celebrates community, while also enticing a large tourist base to the area. Activities celebrate winter, with ice skating, sledding, outdoor sports, entertainment, good food, shopping and the great outdoors.”
The Maine WinterFest began in 2000 and “over the years the event has evolved into the largest snow and ice sculpture event in the Northeast and is run by the Maine Snow and Ice Sculpting Foundation.”
A Maine WinterFest & Derby wrist band will be needed for entry at all Maine WinterFest activities and they can be purchased at Point Sebago resort entrances – $5 for adults and $1 for children.
The weekend activities begin Friday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. and the fun continues on Saturday and Sunday with start times of 8 a.m.
Some of the many planned WinterFest activities include:
International Snow and Ice Park – This event features magnificent ice carvings from award-winning, world class carvers. Check out these larger-than-life snow sculptures created by past Maine WinterFest, People’s Choice award winners.
A life-size Lion Photo Court – Be sure to visit this unique arena of ice sculptures and take lots of wonderful photographs!
The Fire Breathing Dragon Slide – This larger-than-life snow and ice sculpted fire-breathing dragon will be sure to amaze all. Slide down its back and tail or just hang out and watch the firelights and fun! (A special lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, Feb. 23, at 5:30 p.m.)
Field of Snowpeople – Help dress and decorate these happy snowpeople.
Winter Putt-Putt Golf – As if it isn’t hard enough to putt during the warm weather, try your luck on this snow and ice sculpture enhanced course.
The biggest and most anticipated event at the Ice Fishing Derby is the Togue (lake trout) tourney. The cost is $30 for single entry or $50 for family entry and all Maine fishing rules apply. The tourney will take place on Saturday and Sunday and the following rules apply.
1. Each individual angler may weigh up to six togue per day.
2. All fish are to be weighed at a tournament sanctioned site. State biologists
and Rotarians will be staffing these sites and certifying the entries.
3. Entrants must have identification and their tournament number when weighing fish.
4. Each fish shall be entered as an individual entry. Aggregate weights are not a
consideration for prize money.
5. Each fish shall be ranked by weight. The first tie-breaker will be length, the
second will be the earlier time of the weigh-in.
6. When weighed, the fish shall be free of ice and snow. Any visible hooks,
tackle and bait are to be removed. Tournament officials reserve the right to hold
or open any fish.
7. All fish will be marked to prevent duplicate weigh-ins. Anglers should notify
staff at the weigh-in stations of any possible intent to have fish mounted.
8. All money winners must sign an affidavit asserting that the winning fish was
legally caught in Sebago Lake by the entrant during the tournament. (Winners may
be subject to a polygraph test and any attempt at felony fraud will be prosecuted.)
9. Every weighed fish shall be entered into the “Fish Pool” prize drawings.
10. Weigh stations open at 7 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. All weigh stations
close at 4 p.m. sharp on Sunday. If you are in line at 4 p.m., your fish will be
weighed.
Noonan also noted that this year’s festivities include a separate derby to be held two weeks later for those anglers who want to fish anywhere that there’s ice in Maine. Entry fees for the state-wide tourney are $20 per individual and $30 per family. A paid entry fee for either derby gives that person a chance at winning a 4-wheel drive pick-up truck, which will be given away on March 11.
There will be an auto/cycle race along the icy surface of Sebago Lake and the always popular Polar Ice Dip is again part of the activities. The dip in the water is scheduled to take place at noon on Saturday, Feb. 24, and the plunge will help raise funds for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Pledge sheets are available on-line at www.icefishingderby.com.
A Speed Run will feature snowmobiles going in excess of 100 miles per hour along the frozen lake. A cross country race and a snowshoe race will test the endurance of competitors making their way over the snow at a more deliberate pace.
Children also get involved with their own kids fishing derby. The kids program “Hooked on Fishing” is hosted by ALR and Windham Gorham Rod and Gun Club. That event will take place Friday, Feb. 23, from noon to 3 p.m. and it will be located off Route 302 at Thomas Pond near Alyssa’s Motel.
Both directors are hoping to make this annual event a destination of choice for many winter travelers. Jarrett would like to someday compete with the more famous Quebec Winter Carnival in Canada.
“We’ve been growing (each and every year) and we’ve got some big plans down the road,” said Noonan.
Mark your calendars, there’s something for everyone at next month’s Maine WinterFest and Derby. There’ll be plenty of parking at Point Sebago and if the crowds are large enough, there are plans in the works for a shuttle bus service to easily get folks into and out of the resort.
For more information about the upcoming weekend please visit www.icefishingderby.com or www.mainewinterfest.com
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