Potato Blossom festivities to include athletic events

    FORT FAIRFIELD – Several athletic events will take place as part of the 2008 Maine Potato Blossom Festival celebrations.
    On Tuesday, July 15, the junior and senior girls’ softball tournament will take place at the Fort Fairfield Athletic Complex beginning at 8:30 a.m.     Teams should contact the Fort Fairfield Parks and Recreation Department prior to 5 p.m. on July 10 to register. The cost is $35 per team ($55 if not a member of the NMCRA). The junior division is for girls aged 9- to 12-years-old. The senior division is for girls’ aged 13- to 16-years-old.
    Also on July 15, there will be an adult three-on-three basketball tournament at the Fort Fairfield Community Center beginning at 6 p.m.
    Participants must be at least 16-years-old. Team registration costs $40 and begins the night of the tournament. For more information, contact Tom Towle at 472-3882.
    On Wednesday, July 16, a swim meet will be held at the Fort Fairfield Municipal Swimming Pool beginning at 9 a.m. The cost is $50 per team ($70 if not a member of the NMCRA). Teams must register prior to 5 p.m. on July 14 by calling the Fort Fairfield Parks and Recreation Department.
    Saturday, July 19 is the Potato Blossom 5-miler Road Race. Walkers begin at 8:30 a.m. with the runners following at 9 a.m. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. across from the Hillside IGA on Main Street.
    The cost is $10 per person. For more information, contact Paul Lamoreau at 764-6517.
    During the weekend of July 19-20 the Aroostook Valley Country Club will host the Potato Blossom Festival Golf Tournament in a 36-hold medal play format.
    The cost is $90 to participate. Contact AVCC in advance at 1-800-980-8747.
    On Sunday, July 20 a 12.5-mile and 25-mile bike race will take place beginning at the Blockhouse on Main Street and ending at Hillcrest Estates. Registration begins at the Fort Fairfield Community Center at 8 a.m. with the race beginning at 10 a.m.
    There will also be a 1-mile youth race at 9 a.m. The cost is $10 per rider, $2 for youth. For more information, call 760-9500.
    The Regatta on the Aroostook will take place on Saturday, July 19 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Forbes Gravel Pit approximately 6-miles north of Fort Fairfield on Route 161.
    The finish is at the public boat landing. Registration is at the gravel pit from 3 to 4:45 p.m. and is $10 per person. For more information, contact Towle at 472-3882.
    The Maine Potato Blossom Triathlon results will be taken from the combined times of the regatta with canoe or kayak, the road race and the cycling race. There is no extra charge.