Special to the Aroostook Republican
PERHAM – On Sat, March 7, the Perham Recreation and Events Committee is sponsoring the Perham Chili Snowshoe Run and Chili Cook-Off. The festivities will be held at the Perham Town Office located on High Meadow Road, and kick-off starting at 10 a.m., with a fun and free 1-K race for children ages 12 and under. A 5-K race for ages 12 and older will be held at 11 a.m., with a modest entry fee of $5. There will be trophies and prizes for the winners in both events. Starting at 12 p.m., the judging for the Chili Cook-Off will begin, and folks from the surrounding area are encouraged to bring a pot of their very best homemade chili to enter and share. There is no entry feel, but entrants are asked to donate their chili to sell for the benefit of the Salmon Lake Bog Project. They will be sold for a cost of $3 per bowl, after the judging. Entries will be judged on color, aroma, consistency, taste and aftertaste. Chili aficionados who will be judging include: Thom Cote, master carver from Limestone; Ben Goodwin, teacher and coach at SAD 45; Charlotte Wilson, a nutrition associate with the U of M Cooperative Extension; and Scott Bragdon, owner of Tim Hortons in Presque Isle and Caribou. Prizes will be awarded to the three top winners and have been donated by several local artists specifically for the Chili Cook-Off.
Also included in the day-long festival will be a wide array of outdoor activities including a snowshoe softball game with coach Scott Bragdon, a guided snowshoe tour led by naturalist Richard Clark and an afternoon of snow fun for the children.
Throughout the event there will be door prizes, a 50/50 raffle and a raffle for a gift basket designed and provided by Leslie Taylor. Tickets for a lap quilt made by Anita Dow will also be available for purchase and the winning ticket will be drawn on March 17 at the annual Perham Town Meeting. All other prizes will be awarded the day of the Chili Run.
Sponsors for this event include: Thom Cote, Artists Nook, Shelly Malnichuk, Anita Dow, Richard and Susan Clark, Rodney and Sylvia Wardwell, the Roger Connolly/Snyder family, Goodwives Produce, Mainely Grains, Fortune Smiles Farmstead, Tim Hortons, Mojo’s and Movie Gallery.
In case of inclement weather, events will be postponed until Saturday, March 14.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Salmon Lake Bog Project.
