CARIBOU, Maine — The city of Caribou will host its first Winter Carnival in three years next weekend, with indoor and outdoor activities designed to get families out and about in the community.
The carnival will kick off at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 19, with free ice skating at the rink near the Caribou Wellness & Recreation Center on Bennett Drive.
That day’s activities will include free movies at the Caribou Theater starting at 10 a.m., free skating for the first 50 skaters at Melody Roller Rink at 1 p.m. and pony rides and an open house at Unbridled Faith Equestrian Center, located at 347 West Presque Isle Road, at 3 p.m. The day will end with free bowling at the Caribou Bowl-A-Drome from 7 to 9 p.m.
Throughout the day on March 19, the Northern Maine Community Recreation Association will host a basketball tournament at the Caribou Wellness & Recreation Center, with a $2 admissions fee for spectators.
The following day will feature the carnival’s outdoor activities, which include sliding, snowshoeing and skiing at the Caribou High School trails and sliding hill from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At Teague Park, located adjacent to the recreation center, a broomball tournament will occur from noon to 2 p.m. Registration will open at 11:30 a.m. and cost $6 per team. Teams of six or more players will be allowed in the tournament.
While at Teague Park, families can also enjoy free ice skating, snowshoeing and snow volleyball from 2 to 4 p.m. A corn hole tournament will begin at 2 p.m., with registration opening at 1:30 p.m. and costing $10 per team. The snow soccer tournament will begin at 4 p.m., with registration opening at 3:30 p.m. and costing $50 per team.
Winter Carnival was last held in 2019 and traditionally took place during February break. But this year, organizers chose a weekend that they hoped would not conflict with families’ vacation plans or the state basketball tournament, according to Parks & Recreation Superintendent Gary Marquis.
A complete schedule of events can be found on the Parks & Recreation and city of Caribou websites.
