ISLAND FALLS, Maine — WinterFest weekend in Island Falls was a busy time for volunteers, community members and those visiting the area.
Rose Arnts, left, and Emily Slaton were among the many volunteers who worked on children’s games at the Island Falls WinterFest Feb. 14-16. (Courtesy of Ruth Frazier)
“The goal of our weekend is to encourage the community to get outside and enjoy winter, talk with their neighbors and make new friends with the folks visiting the area,” said Deb Dwyer, one of the event organizers.
Friday’s Island Falls Historical Society’s Food Sale was a big success, according to Dwyer.
The Big Valley Sno Club kicked Winterfest off Friday night with a spaghetti dinner and a Saturday morning breakfast featuring good food, lots of coffee all topped off with great conversations.
The 21 volunteers who participated in the “Pillow Case Community Project” were a very busy group, creating more than 90 pillowcases with an estimated 70 more in progress. The pillowcases will be distributed to area agencies and local non-profits.
The “Snowman Showcase” once again brought smiles to adults and children. The Snowman photo booth proved to be a popular attraction. Taking home top honors in the Snowman Showcase contest were — first place, Vacationland Estates; second place, Island Falls Library; and third place, G.R. Porter’s.
“Saturday afternoon the gym was packed with winter and snowman-themed games for children,” Dwyer said. “The ice fishing game and monster truck bounce house were very popular and kids left with smiles and candy.”
Due to the frigid temps on Friday night, the snowmobile torch light parade was moved to Saturday night and it was held at VAJoWA golf course.
Sarah London, sporting a paper carrot on her nose, made sure the area children had lots of fun at the Island Falls WinterFest event this year. (Courtesy of Ruth Frazier)
“Not only was this a beautiful location with many snow sleds participating, but the special ‘wow’ factor of fireworks really made this year’s event extra special,” Dwyer said.
The Fishing Derby on Pleasant Pond and Mattawamkeag Lake proved there was no shortage of fish. Sub-zero temperatures did not keep the 185 adults and 49 children from participating in the two-day event. The derby has grown steadily over the past few years, Dwyer said.
Winners in the adult category for the derby were: salmon, Kurt Reed 3.79 pounds; bass, Bruce McNally, 3.24 pounds; trout, Tara Ring, 1.40 pounds; pickerel, Nick Cullen, 3.13 pounds; and perch, Scott Perrin, 1.23 pounds.
Children’s top anglers were: salmon, Gage Harvey, 2.14 pounds; bass, Quinn Cullen, 1.99 pounds; trout, Kaleb Cassidy, 0.85 pounds; pickerel, Kendall Lawlor, 2.58 pounds; perch, Brandon McNally, 1.01 pounds.
Winners of raffle prizes were: Ion auger, Gage Ward; three-person tent, Cody Edwards; Jiffy auger, Galen Ned; camo Jet Sled, Brandon McCarthy.
