STOCKHOLM, Maine — Parents and children of New Sweden, Stockholm, and Westmanland gathered for the 79th annual Snow Carnival on Saturday at the Stockholm Community Center.
Over a dozen years ago, the three towns decided to combine their efforts to celebrate winter, “It’s easier to be together and it’s more fun. We bring the communities together, have camaraderie, great food, and joy,” said Snow Carnival committee member David Spooner.
Kids on sleds, skis, snowshoes and snowboards raced up and down the hill behind the community center. Inside, folks sat down to enjoy stew, hot dogs and chili. Families donated homemade treats. Proceeds from the treats helped pay for trophies and ribbons for the day’s events, according to New Sweden School secretary Kris Ferland.
“Organizing the Snow Carnival is a lot of fun. The communities support us greatly — it almost plans itself,” Spooner said.
Local celebrity, Olympian, and Stockholm native, Russell Currier, was on hand as a Snow Carnival volunteer.
“I have [Snow Carnival] ribbons going back to 1993-’94. It’s an old tradition and it only makes sense to keep it going,” Currier said. “This community is like no other. Coming from a small town it really adds a certain aspect that I know working with other athletes, it’s not quite the same, and they’re comparatively unknown, and for me coming home to such a small close-knit community, it really makes everything a lot warmer, and you meet a lot of interesting people.”
A few years back, Currier lost to Spooner in a snowshoe race and their friendly rivalry was apparent Saturday. A rematch was avoided when Currier admitted to forgetting his snowshoes.
The annual Snow Carnival alternates venues and next year’s event will be held at the New Sweden School.
