The well-groomed trails at Five Fields Farm in Bridgton are typically occupied by Nordic skiers and snowshoers in the winter months. But next weekend, the snowy trails will be scattered with paw prints instead of parallel grooves, and the rhythmic slide of skis will be replaced by canine panting and the loud call of “Mush!”
The Maine Lakes Mushers Bowl returns to Five Fields Farm and nearby Highland Lake on Saturday and next Sunday.
The annual dogsled-centric event includes two days of dogsled races and skijoring at the farm, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Competitors from Maine, New Hampshire, Canada and elsewhere will compete.
The Mushers Bowl is known to have one of the most challenging courses on the circuit, according to Jim Mains, executive director of The Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.
The regional chamber organizes the Mushers Bowl as well as the accompanying Winter Carnival, which includes winter hikes, guided snowshoeing, polar dip, Saturday night dance and snowmobile rides.
The weekend is aimed at showcasing all the wintry possibilities in the Lakes Region, said Mains.
“We want to introduce young people to lifetime sports, all the things you can do in this area, like ice fishing, hiking, snowshoeing,” he said.
Most of the weekend’s activities are free with the purchase of a $3 Mushers Bowl Winter Carnival button. The buttons can be purchased at the chamber office (101 Portland Road, Bridgton), MacDonald Motors (456 Portland Road, Bridgton), Rick’s Diner (257 Main St., Bridgton), Morning Dew Natural Foods & Deli (Sandy Creek Road, Casco) and The Market Basket (100 Norway Road, Harrison).
Buttons will also be on sale during the event at the race center at Five Fields Farm and the event center at Highland Lake. Those are also the places to find brochures outlining the best viewing spots for race fans wanting to watch the dogsled and skijoring races.
There will be plenty of help to find parking, said Mains. “We always fit everybody in.”
Folks interested in a first-hand experience can sign up for a 20-minute dogsled ride on Highland Lake for $25. The dogsled rides are a popular offering, said Mains, and spots usually book quickly. Rides run every half hour from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, and reservations can be made in advance by calling the chamber at 647-3472.
Snowmobile rides are also available at Highland Lake from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and don’t require a reservation.
Other Saturday events include horse-drawn rides from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Highland Lake Park, a juniors ice fishing contest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Highland Lake, a nature hike at Pondicherry Park at 2:30 p.m. and a snowshoe hike up Bald Pate mountain at 10 a.m. These events are free to folks with Winter Carnival buttons and snowshoes can be provided to those who need them for the hikes.
The Freezin’ for a Reason polar dip kicks off at 11 a.m. at Highland Lake, with hearty swimmers running into the water to benefit Harvest Hills Animal Shelter. Plungers can register for the dip by calling the shelter at 935-4358 or going to www.harvesthills.org.
There’s plenty more to do during the day, including massacre dodge ball at Bridgton Academy (11 Academy Lane) from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Mason’s Chowder Fest at Masons Hall (Harrison Road) from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sing and Ski with WBZ at nearby Shawnee Peak from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday night’s dance at Bridgton Town Hall (26 North High St.) will help people warm up after an eventful day outside. Local bands The Wrong Road and Harmony will play a mix of rock and blues and a king and queen will be chosen by night’s end. Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 in advance and can be purchased by calling the chamber at 647-3472. Attendees can bring their own food and drink and designated drivers will be available.
On Sunday, the dogsled and skijoring races continue from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., along with another snowshoe hike up Bald Pate Mountain starting at 10 a.m.
The chamber also hopes visitors will patronize the area businesses while they’re in town. The $3 Mushers Bowl Winter Carnival button will garner discounts at participating shops and restaurants.
Mushers Bowl weekend is also dog friendly, even to pets that aren’t accustomed to pulling sleds. “Owners are more than welcome to bring (their dogs) out,” said Mains. “But we ask them to please leash their pets and be careful around the sled dogs.”
Mains said Mushers Bowl weekend is an ideal event for families, with a multitude of activities and the chance to see sled dogs up close. “They’ll see something that’s a little different than what you see every day.”
Staff Writer Shannon Bryan can be contacted at 791-6333 or at:
sbryan@mainetoday.com
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