BIDDEFORD — Snowboarders and skiers, atop a giant, downhill run that was outfitted with rails and jumps for maximum air, did not have a typical sweeping mountain vista and tree-dotted landscape as their setting, but the streets and buildings of downtown Biddeford. To their right stood the multistory stone facades of lower Adams Street; to their left, a towering City Hall. Spotlights shone on the steep, downhill track, sending crystalline reflections back up into the night, and on both sides of the closed-off road, spectators gathered, heating their hands with coffee and drinks sold by vendors under the warmth of nearby tents.
It was cold, but the crowd didn’t seem to mind; there was the spectacle of an inner-city winter sports event to keep them distracted. When the first snowboarder pushed off from the starting gate and used a rail to perform a nifty spin maneuver, glove-muted applause broke out, and WinterFest 2013 had officially begun.
It was the culmination of weeks of planning. John Maxon, chairman of the WinterFest Committee, said the organization for this year’s incarnation began in November 2012, when it was evident the second-year event would grow in scope.
Much of that growth Maxon attributes to the involvement of Biddeford’s own New Life Church, which helped incorporate the snowboarding and skiing event into the WinterFest weekend. New Life had held a similar event last year, drawing riders and daredevils from all over New England to perform an acrobatic show in the church parking lot.
This year, Maxon and others worked with New Life to bring the event into the heart of the city and showcase it as the festival weekend’s dramatic kickoff.
It’s due to involvement from businesses and community organizations, said Maxon, that the planning and execution of WinterFest went so smoothly.
“We learned a lot last year,” said Maxon. “As we get the logistics a little more streamlined, it makes it easier for organizations to come in and help.”
Maxon credited the Downtown Development Commission, Heart of Biddeford, the city’s parks and recreation and public works departments, and local contractors who donated their time and equipment for making the event happen.
In the end, it was volunteer work that provided much of the muscle, as was the case in building the giant jump-and-rail-studded downhill course on Adams Street.
Christian Sells, one of the volunteers who helped build it, grinned with excitement as he watched the first batch of athletes swoosh down the slope and take to the air with gravity-defying maneuvers.
“It was hard work, but it was worth it,” said Sells. “The whole city is out for this thing. It’s great to see everyone in the city come together like this.”
With one eye on the track, Sells was interrupted by the mid-air spin of a particularly buoyant snowboarder, who landed gracefully with a crisp smack on the hard-packed snow.
“I’m a snowboarder myself, so I love the snowboarders,” he said. “But I love the skiers, too. I’m impartial.”
Not to be outdone by the skiing and sledding event, Saturday’s festivities continued with activities for all ages, including sleigh rides, snowshoeing, snow volleyball and indoor crafts at McArthur Public Library.
The Biddeford High School National Honor Society hosted a lip-synching contest in City Square at noon, and evening festivities were punctuated by a free concert performed by local band Tricky Britches.
“It has grown,” said Delilah Poupore, executive director of Heart of Biddeford. “(Biddeford Mayor) Alan Casavant started it last year to get everyone out of their cabin fever, and now look at it. It’s expanded quite a bit.”
What is heartening, said Poupore, is the prospect of drawing crowds to an area that has worked hard to evolve, and become a center of activity and culture for the community.
“Downtown has a lot to offer, and it gives people a chance to see that firsthand,” she said.
That included the Burmans of Saco, who attended last year’s event and decided a return trip was in order. Mark Burman, who ventured to Adams Street with his wife, Margaret, and daughters, Addie and Calla, noted how the event has expanded, and said his children were especially delighted to be able to ride a pony for the first time.
“They’re very excited,” he said. “We’ll be back next year.”
As for WinterFest’s role as a community event, Burman said it was nice to see so many people enjoying an outdoor festival atmosphere in what is usually the dullest stretch of winter.
“It’s terrific,” he said. “It brings everybody out.”
— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 319 or jlagasse@journaltribune.com.
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