While many Mainers lament the approach of winter and huddle inside their homes as the thermometer dips below freezing, many others who live for snow palpitate at the sight of the fluffy stuff falling from the sky. January and February were certainly made for such Mainers as these.
Fortunately, though northern Maine is known for its frozen tundra-like setting – ideal for snowmobiling and World Cup biathlon venues – winter fun isn’t relegated just to the upper reaches of the state. Southern Maine is filled with frozen enjoyment, as well. Festivals, ice fishing derbies and other events help brighten the spirits of those prone to winter doldrums. Let’s hope the El Nino weather pattern cooperates and allows all these doldrums-decreasing events – which a legion of hard-working organizers make happen every year – occur on schedule.
In the Lakes Region, the undisputed big daddy of Maine’s ice fishing derbies is set for the weekend of Feb. 27-28 on Sebago Lake. The 16-year-old derby has been beset with terrible weather troubles and last year’s second day of competition had to be canceled because of blizzard conditions out on the expansive lake. Besides the Sebago event, organizers also host a Cumberland County Derby, which allows anglers to fish on any lake in the county, almost guaranteeing the tourney can be held. The derby benefits the Maine Children’s Cancer Program and Camp Sunshine.
The Bridgton Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 20, is less competition and more a large block party celebrating all that beautiful downtown Bridgton has to offer. The annual Polar Plunge benefits Harvest Hill Animal Shelter, and folks are also invited to take snowmobile, dog sled and horse-drawn carriage rides. A week earlier, on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 23-24, the Down East Mushers Bowl takes place on the rolling hills of Five Fields Farm on Route 107 in South Bridgton. If you’ve never seen sled dogs labor along a frozen track, except perhaps on TV coverage of the Iditarod, then you shouldn’t miss a chance to witness the exciting atmosphere in person.
On Saturday, Jan. 30, the Crystal Lake Derby will fill the lake off North Raymond Road in Gray with hundreds – or perhaps thousands, as it did one year – of hardwater fishermen aiming to snag the top fish. Thousands of dollars in L.L. Bean gift cards are going to the top anglers. The derby benefits Gray-New Gloucester schools, as well as the USO, which helps military families. The ticket price is only $15, so if you’ve never ice-fished, this is a good time to learn.
More suburban areas of Greater Portland offer their own wintry spectacles. This coming weekend, Saturday, Jan. 16, Scarborough Winterfest will draw throngs to the Wentworth School and municipal ice rink from 1-5:30 p.m. for ice and snow-related fun. Speed skating, milk-jug curling, a snowshoe obstacle course and slalom skating competitions will take place, as well as more low-key activities such as open skating, snow sculpting and wagon rides.
Another Winterfest takes place in South Portland, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29-30. Friday night’s main event is a skating party at Mill Creek Park, highlighted by hot chocolate, s’mores and fire pits to gather ’round. Saturday continues the festival with horse-drawn carriage rides, snowshoe hikes, ice sculptures, a cardboard sled contest and family skating. Fireworks at Wainwright Recreation Complex cap the event with a bang starting at 6:15 p.m.
While Gorham has already held its big winter bash on New Year’s Eve and Westbrook West Fest organizers have canceled their family-friendly event this year, the two towns are rife with winter fun spots. A gem of an ice-skating facility is located at University of Southern Maine’s Gorham campus and is open to the larger community on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. starting Jan. 19. Call the USM Ice Arena information line at 780-5991 for more information. And, if you want to feel the wind in your face, a lighted outdoor rink is located across from the Westbrook High School.
Mainers are spoiled year-round when it comes to most things: Beautiful scenery, an active arts scene and plenty of award-winning culinary choices. While many focus on the summer months to get out and active, it’s obvious by the myriad wintertime offerings that we know how to do winter right, too.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
