CARIBOU, Maine – Organizers at Spud Speedway are hoping that their second annual DustBowl will become as popular a tradition as other festivals in the “bowl” series.
The DustBowl will take place Sept. 26 to 29, with a full slate of returning and new activities.
Grass drag racers will return at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. Nearly 80 racers have signed up so far, with a limit of 120 slots available, said Spud Speedway co-owner Troy Haney.
Other fan favorites will include a car show, burnout competition and demolition derby, all happening Sunday starting at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m, respectively.
Last year, around 5,200 people attended the DustBowl throughout its three days, so Haney and speedway co-owner Jim Gamage decided to add another day and more entertainment to the festival’s lineup.
Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Dean Simmons, a.k.a. The Garth Guy, will bring his Garth Brooks tribute concert to the speedway. Simmons was featured in the 2014 AXS TV special, “World’s Greatest Tribute Bands,” and has been a staple in the Las Vegas performance scene since 1996.
“If you like Garth Brooks, you’ll want to be there,” Haney said. “It’s the closest thing you can get to seeing him without him being here.”
Local band, The Echo, who won the Battle of the Bands during Spud Speedway’s BikeBowl, will perform a set on Thursday starting at 7 p.m. DJ Jake Ball will entertain throughout Saturday and Sunday.
New events to this year’s DustBowl will include car racing under the lights at 7 p.m. Friday and mud runs Sunday at 11 a.m., the latter of which was featured at the first ever MudBowl in June.
Also on Saturday and Sunday, an all-day Fall Fun Zone will offer pumpkin painting, hay pyramid climbing, free apple cider and other arts and crafts activities for children. Spirit of Maine Chainsaw Art, based on Verona Island, Maine, will offer demonstrations.
Smokey’s Greater Shows will bring back over 20 fair rides and games for all four days. Nearly 20 local food trucks will also be on hand throughout the festival.
As of Monday, the National Weather Service in Caribou was calling for an 80-percent chance of rain on Thursday but sunnier skies the rest of the weekend.
Haney said that he and Gamage will continue to track the forecast and hope that weather does not force a change in venue or events, as it has for other events.
“Weather really has been the biggest challenge. Even last year, we postponed the DustBowl because of a hurricane,” Haney said. “We’re hoping that if the community likes what we’re doing, they’ll come out.”
Admissions for the DustBowl on Thursday will be $20 for advance passes and $25 at the gate, and then $30 for passes and $35 at the gate Friday through Sunday.
