Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race is Saturday, April 30

Changes in race preregistration
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    It’s only two weeks away. With the arrival of spring is the annual Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race on Saturday, April 30.
    There are some changes to this year’s race in registration and place of registration.
    This year, pre-registration can be done through the mail care of Todd Willard, Houlton High School, 5 Bird St. Houlton, Maine or pre-register in person at Houlton High School on April 29 from 5-9 p.m. A registration form can be obtained by downloading it from Houlton High School’s website or from the MaCKRO.org.
    In the past, Peter and Carol Blood opened their home for pre-registrations, but the Bloods are now taking a less active role in the race.
    “It’s been great keeping the tradition in Houlton going,” said Peter Blood. “The community support from local businesses with up-front money and door prizes has been wonderful.”
    When the race bounced back to 80 to 100 boats, Houlton-Hodgdon Dollars for Scholars became the logical choice for the proceeds. Blood estimates close to $30,000 has been raised in the last 15 years. Members of the Dollars For Scholars committee have become more involved in organizing the race to the point that it has been a “fairly easy transition,” said Blood.
    Chairmen of this year’s race are Willard and Malcolm Nesbitt.
    “Except for the where and when of pre-registration, the rest of the race has been kept as is,” Blood added.
    The eight-mile race will begin at 10 a.m. from the Wellington residence on Station Road in New Limerick. Registration the day of the race will be at the Wellingtons from 8-9:30 a.m., with a race briefing following.
    The Meduxnkeag River Canoe Race is part of MaCKRO’s Downriver Championship Series Point Race.
    The course begins at Wellingtons and ends at the third bridge (Highland Avenue’s boat landing) in Houlton.
    Helmets are required for all kayaks. There are numerous classes for amateur to experienced paddlers. Special classes are college/student class (two-year plus program); century class (ages of paddlers add up to 100 or more); Rotary/business recreational; law enforcement and high school class. Participants in the Rotary/business and high school classes must be from areas served by Southern Aroostook Vocational Education, Region II.
    For more information, contact Willard at 538-6507 or e-mail towillard@msln.net.