W i n t er i n F ort K en t
By Dona R. Saucier
Cabin fever is not a phrase that many people of the
Greater Fort Kent area use very often. This phenomenon
usually strikes people in the middle of winter when
they’ve been cooped up in their homes for long periods
of time and feel the walls closing in. Staying inside
for long periods of time during the winter months is not
a usual practice in the Fort Kent area and is done only
by choice, not due to lack of available activities. The
people in this corner of the St. John River Valley have
learned how to embrace the winter season and enjoy
it to its fullest. As has been stated by some residents,
“Fort Kent knows how to do winter well.”
dog sled races on the weekend of Jan. 24. You can
get information on this event, including entry forms at
www.eaglelakesleddograces.com.
Dog sleds ride well through the woods and open fields in
this part of Maine, and racers are a welcome site every
winter. This year, the Town of Eagle Lake will be host
to the 2015 Irving Woodlands 100 and Mad Bomber 30
You’d think that after a few months of all this activity,
the people of the Greater Fort Kent area would slow
down. Well, there is still snow in March and still plenty
to do. On March 13-15, the Fort Kent Outdoor Center
The International Can-Am Crown Sled Dog Race, held
annually in the Greater Fort Kent Region, starts on Feb.
28. The Can-Am Crown consists of three races – the 30
mile, the 60 mile and the Iditarod-qualifying 250-mile
race. All races begin in downtown Fort Kent on Main
Street. The 250-mile race extends into the Allagash
wilderness and finishes back in Fort Kent. Information
on this year’s race, as well as statistics, entry forms,
maps, pictures, background information and other
The Fort Kent Outdoor Center (formerly known as the activities that weekend can be found at www.can-am10th Mountain Winter Sports Center) will help you ring crown.net.
in the New Year with the New Year’s Nordic Festival.
This event will be held from Dec. 27, 2014 to Jan. 1, If you enjoy snowmobiling, the St. John River Valley
2015. For more information on this event, visit www. has a wealth of well-groomed and well-marked trails.
fortkentoc.org. While there, check out the other events Several people from throughout the U.S. travel to this
that the Fort Kent Outdoor Center has to offer, such as area specifically to ride these trails. The sales and
the Annual Cross Country Aroostook Cup Series Ski service industry for recreational vehicles for summer
Races (5k, 15k & 30k) on Jan. 18, the ongoing Arooskis and winter thrive in this area for that reason. If you’d
Program, the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend Event like to experience something a little faster this year, the
(skiing and snowshoeing) on Feb. 15, and the Winter Fort Kent Snoriders Club will host the Annual USCC
Women’s Day on Feb. 21.
Snowmobile Racing Series on Feb. 21. This is a closed
5-mile race course which is part of a 7-race circuit.
If you like ice fishing, or even if you are curious about it, You can get more information on this event, as well as,
get your fishing permit and head to the Fish River Chain updated trail information in the Fort Kent area at www.
of Lakes - eight large lakes connected to each other by fortkentsnoriders.com.
the Fish River and covers approximately 25,000 acres.
These lakes include Long Lake, Mud Lake, Cross Lake, The Fiddlers’ Jamboree on Feb. 15 at the University of
Square Lake, Eagle Lake, Fish River Lake, Portage Maine at Fort Kent offers a great opportunity to come
Lake, and St. Froid Lake. On Jan. 24-25, St. Agatha in from the cold and enjoy an afternoon of impromptu
will host the 10th Annual Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby musical performances. Every year, hundreds of people
which boasts Maine’s largest cash prize. In fact, this gather to listen to this jam session consisting of over
year’s prizes total over $15,000. It’s great fun for young fifty fiddlers, guitarists, banjo pickers, drummers and
and old alike. For more information on this event, visit accordion players from the U.S. and Canada. For times
www.stagatha.com
and location, visit www.umfk.edu/calendar.
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WINTER 2015