HOULTON, Maine — Cold temperatures could not deter a large gathering of residents, both young and old alike, from enjoying the annual Moosestompers Weekend winter carnival Friday through Sunday.
“Moosestompers Weekend has been deemed a success by organizers after crowds of people attended the various events,” said Nancy Ketch one of the event organizers. “Things kicked off Friday evening with some Peewee basketball games. Throngs of people of all ages came out for the free public skating night sponsored by Hogan Tire. There were lines taking advantage of the free skate rentals and people getting ready for the various drawings. And, 17 people braved the minus-16 temperature and enjoyed the Moonlight Snowshoe Hike at the Military Street Baptist Church. Their trails were also open all weekend for people to enjoy.”
Saturday started early with the Meduxnekeag Ramblers Breakfast, where 200 were served. Children started arriving at Community Park for sliding on Derby Hill, hay rides and horse drawn sleigh rides. Especially popular was the “Moose” toboggan giving rides behind a snowmobile.
The Houlton Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary provided concessions. Free coffee was handed out by Tim Hortons and Louisiana Pacific provided free hand warmers. Joel Duff of Hodgdon provided a team of horses for carriage rides around the park.
“I guess the message that I would want to send is that if you put it together, they will come!” said Jane Torres, executive director of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. “Despite the extreme cold (Saturday) morning people started arriving before noon and stayed to enjoy sliding on a perfectly groomed hill (and the not so perfect, but wicked high snow pile that the town piled up when moving snow around in the park). Of course one of the biggest events of the day was the coin scramble which was broken into three age groups and was so much fun to watch. There were children actually taking off their gloves to paw around in the snow!”
The Sawdust Prize Search was held this year in memory of Tim McAtee who had run the event for many years for the North Country Cruisers.
“Moosestompers organizers wanted to keep the event going and ran the event in house with several businesses providing prizes in a last-minute appeal,” Ketch said. “Every child that participated walked away with a prize and a smile.”
Two big winners were Ava Avalon and River Myers who each won a bike courtesy of Kevin Carmichael Masonry.
The 2nd annual Snowdance was held prior to the Half Dollar Scramble. Lori Weston and “The Moose” led the dance with dozens showing their moves to the song “Here Comes The Snow.” A video of the dance will be posted on YouTube.
The 7th Annual Sliding Race was held Saturday with winners in three age categories. The winners for 6 and under were: 1, Hannah McGary; 2, Brooklyn Philbrook; and 3, Haley (last name unknown). In the 7-9 age category, the winners were: 1, Logan Barajus; 2, Abby Duff; and 3, Ryan Mitchell. In the 10-13 category, the winners were 1, Nathanial Fink; 2, Drew Duttweiler; and 3, Phoenix Myers.
The inaugural Cardboard Derby Race was held in the afternoon with 21 entries and 38 participants. A great deal of creativity was displayed and there were boxes of all sizes. The fastest racers were Caleb Acott, Kaydence Acott, Olivia Gerry, Matt Thompkins and Hunter Thompkins, each in first place. Jean Brinkerhoff and Amelia Scott placed second and Lainey Henderson, Keegan Brown and Darrien Henderson came in third.
Most in a box prize was won by the team of Jayden Stevens, Kenna Stevens, Dakota Stevens, Natalie Green, Conlin McNally, Jacob McNally, Lila McNally and Bradley Bean. The Spirit Award was presented to Michael Hardy.
For “Most Creative Boxes” there were three winners with 1, Landon Botting for his tribute to Hannah Mooers; 2, Angela and Bruce Wilkinson for their castle entry; and 3, Sam Duff for his race car/box.
Throughout the day, the Moosestompers organizers were assisted by seniors from Hodgdon High School, under the direction of Principal Mary Harbison, according to Ketch. The students were performing community service to make up one school day due to experiencing so many snow days.
“The students assisted with the Wild Katahdin Trust Snow Run, with setting up barricades and cones for parking,” she said. “They helped with concessions and putting up informational signs. They were also involved with the sliding race, the sawdust prize search and the cross-country ski trailer. And, a couple of brave students entertained the crowds in the moose costume.”
The day wrapped up for the younger set with a magic show by “Conjuring Carroll” sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank in the function room at the Civic Center and for those over 21 at the Moosestompers Ball at the Downunder Sports Pub later that night.
Sunday was a quieter day, but kicked off with ice hockey games in the morning. There was a free matinee of the “SpongeBob” movie courtesy of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce and S.W. Collins. Free public skating and free stick time were offered at the Civic Center and there were some hardy sliders still taking to Derby Hill throughout the day.
The winner of the Antique and Vintage Snowmobile Display sponsored by Houlton Power Sports was Richard Hemmingway, who received a $100 prize. The Snowman Building Contest was won by Kristen Wells and her daughters Gemma, Scarlet, Ava and Tessa. They were presented with a $50 prize.
The weekend was capped off with the Inaugural Men’s Basketball All-Star Extravaganza held at the Rec Center and presented by the Houlton Basketball Association Men’s League.
The Moosestompers Ice Fishing Derby concluded Sunday afternoon with winners as follows:
Trout — 1, Adam Henderson; 2, Curtis Tarr; and 3, Annette Tidd.
Lake Trout — 1, Anthony Plotegher; 2, Tom Hutchinson; and 3, Dan Soucy.
White Perch — 1, John Fraser; 2, Adam Henderson; and 3, Annette Tidd.
Pickerel – 1, Curtis Tarr; 2, Shawn Matheson; and 3, Curtis Tarr.
Kids Prizes for Biggest Fish — 1, Carter Bartlett and 2, Davan Thornton.
Other winners included Kirby Sanford, who won the $500 grand prize; Lynn Fitzpatrick who won a remote car starter installed by Soucy’s; and Wayne Saunders who won two days at Greenland Cove Campground. Rod Saunders, Greg Tidd and Michael Schools each won a $25 Walmart gift card. Gage Finnemore won a pewter Boy & the Boot decorative plate and Krista Crouse won an ice auger.
“What I love most about the day is how many families show up in the middle of the winter to spend the day outdoors participating in good old-fashioned fun,” Torres added.
