HOULTON, Maine — The 25th annual Moosestompers winter carnival takes place Feb. 5-7 at various locations throughout Houlton.
Ongoing Events
Snow Creation Contest — This is a Facebook photo contest. So, you can build a snowman, snow sculpture or any other snow “creation” right at your own home, then snap a picture and submit it to the Moosestompers Facebook page. Submissions will be accepted through midnight on Feb. 4. Voting will continue through Sunday, Feb 7. The entry with the most “likes” will receive a $25 gift certificate. See rules and details on our Facebook page and at www.moosestompers.com.
Moosestompers Coloring Contest — A moose-themed coloring page will be distributed through area schools and will be available online. Children can color the page and submit it to Serendipitous Dragonfly to be displayed. Prizes will be awarded. Show us your artistic talent.
Snow Dance — This year, show us your moves from home, kids! Bundle up, go outside and dance your heart out to “Rockin’ Robin”. Send a clip of your dance by private message to the Moosestompers Facebook page. The clips will be posted and the one with the most “likes” will receive a $25 gift certificate. See rules and details on our Facebook page and at www.moosestompers.com.
Selfie Photo Stations — Help us celebrate the 25th Annual Moosestompers Weekend by taking a picture or selfie at one of the photo stations. You’ll find moose-themed backdrops in Monument Park, outside Serendipitous Dragonfly and at Community Park. Post your pictures using #moosestompers or send by private message to the Moosestompers Facebook page.
Moosestompers Dine or Go — On your way to or from the Moosestompers activities, you can pick up a meal or a snack at local establishments. Some places are also open for dine-in. It’s a great weekend to treat yourself! Some locations will be offering specials for the weekend. Check out the Moosestompers Facebook page for more details.
FRIDAY, FEB 5
5-6 p.m. — Hogan Tire Skate Time — John Millar Civic Center. Free admission/skate rentals. Pre-registration is required. Entry is limited to 25 people. Treat bags will be provided for those ages Pre-K to Grade 12. (There is a limited supply of rental skates and they are rented on a first come, first served basis).
5-7 p.m. — Slide Under The Lights at Derby Hill. Bring your sleds and enjoy the fun of nighttime sliding with lights and music. Face coverings are required. The sliding hill will be supervised by the Houlton Border Patrol Explorer Post 1820 and their advisors.
6:30-7:30 p.m. — Hogan Tire Skate Time — John Millar Civic Center. Free admission/skate rentals. Pre-registration is required. Entry is limited to 25 people. Treat bags will be provided for those ages Pre-K to Grade 12. (There is a limited supply of rental skates and they are rented on a first come, first served basis).
9 p.m. — Moonlight Snowshoe Hike — Military Street Baptist Church is having a guided snowshoe hike behind the church. Come and enjoy nature’s beauty under the moonlight. Bring a headlamp or flashlight! The foyer will be open with the fireplace blazing and hot chocolate available. All weekend at the church, snowshoe and cross-country ski trails will be open for use. Trail maps are posted and flagged. Begin at the Moose and enjoy the trails!
Saturday, Feb. 6
6 a.m. — Registration begins for the Moosestompers Fishing Derby at Seiders’ Variety Store on the Calais Road in Hodgdon. Pre-Registration is available at Seiders on Friday. The Houlton Town Office will also have registrations available. When you purchase a ticket you are automatically entered for a chance to win $500 cash as well as hundreds of dollars in additional door prizes. Registrations are $10 each or three for $20. Grand prizes of $200 for the biggest Trout and Togue. Second place is $100 and third is $50. Prizes are also available for Pickerel, Perch and Kids prizes, too. Weigh in times and rules and regulations are on the registration tickets. See you on Nickerson Lake, Drews Lake and Mill Pond. For additional information or tickets call Chris Putnam at 207-532-3600, Ellsworth Malone at 207-551-4406 or Steven Rouse at 207-694-3770.
10 am — Moosestompers 5K race and 2-mile walk at the John Millar Civic Center. Walk begins at 9:45 a.m. and the run starts at 10 a.m. Participants will register outside the John Millar Civic Center starting at 9 a.m. Masking and physical distancing will be required. The fee is $10 per person. A mass start will be held with racers spaced at 6-foot distance. The course starts and finishes at the Millar Civic Center’s front entrance. A brief outdoor awards presentation will be held at the conclusion of the race, which is the first run in the Aroostook Musterds County Challenge Series. Proceeds benefit the Houlton and GHCA Cross Country and Track and Field Teams. For more info, call Race Director Chris Rines at crines@regiontwo.org or message the Aroostook Musterd’s Facebook page.
10 a.m. to noon — Houlton Parks and Recreation Cross Country skiing at Community Park. Take this awesome opportunity to introduce your child or yourself to the excitement of cross-country skiing. It’s a great way to build the love of an outdoor sport to better your health and enjoy nature. Visit the Houlton Parks and Rec Winter Sports Trailer behind the log cabin. Skis, poles and boots provided by the Houlton Rec Department. Snowshoes are also available. Pre-registration is required to limit the numbers and face coverings are required.
11 a.m.- 4 p.m. — Enjoy Derby Hill for sliding. Bring your own sled, flying saucer or toboggan and have fun. Face coverings and distancing will be required. The Sliding Hill will be supervised by the Houlton Border Patrol Explorer Post 1820 and their advisors.
1-2 p.m. — Moosestompers Mystery Prize Bags — Some of the traditional prizes from Moosestompers (such as half dollars and other prizes) will be compiled into goodie bags and given out in a drive thru distribution. Books from the Read To ME Challenge will also be included. Pick-up will be in front of the John Millar Civic Center with cars entering from Randall Avenue and exiting via Elm Street. First come, first served.
1:-3 p.m. — Houlton Parks and Recreation Cross Country skiing at Community Park. Take this awesome opportunity to introduce your child or yourself to the excitement of cross-country skiing. It’s a great way to build the love of an outdoor sport to better your health and enjoy nature. Visit the Houlton Parks and Rec Winter Sports Trailer behind the log cabin. Skis, poles and boots provided by the Houlton Rec Department. Snowshoes are also available. Pre-registration is required to limit the numbers and face coverings are required.
2:30-3:30 p.m. — Hogan Tire Skate Time — John Millar Civic Center. Free admission/skate rentals. Pre-registration is required. Entry is limited to 25 people. Treat bags will be provided for those ages Pre-K to Grade 12. (There is a limited supply of rental skates and they are rented on a first come, first served basis).
4-5 p.m. — Hogan Tire Skate Time — John Millar Civic Center. Free admission/skate rentals. Pre-registration is required. Entry is limited to 25 people. Treat bags will be provided for those ages Pre-K to Grade 12. (There is a limited supply of rental skates and they are rented on a first come, first served basis).
Sunday Feb. 7
10 a.m.-2 p.m. — Free Kids Fishing Derby. As part of the Annual Moosestompers Ice Fishing Derby this year will be a free fishing derby for kids under 16 on Nickerson Lake only. The event includes free bait and a free hot dog lunch. Traps will be available for those needing them and holes will be drilled for the participants. There will be lots of prizes so join in the fun!
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Enjoy Derby Hill for sliding. Bring your own sled, flying saucer or toboggan and have fun. Face coverings and distancing will be required. The Sliding Hill will be supervised by the Houlton Border Patrol Explorer Post 1820 and their advisors.
11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Houlton Parks and Recreation Cross Country skiing at Community Park. Take this awesome opportunity to introduce your child or yourself to the excitement of cross-country skiing. It’s a great way to build the love of an outdoor sport to better your health and enjoy nature. Visit the Houlton Parks and Rec Winter Sports Trailer behind the log cabin. Skis, poles and boots provided by the Houlton Rec Department. Snowshoes are also available. Pre-registration is required to limit the numbers and face coverings are required.
Noon-1 p.m. — Hogan Tire Skate Time — John Millar Civic Center. Free admission/skate rentals. Pre-registration is required. Entry is limited to 25 people. Treat bags will be provided for those ages Pre-K to Grade 12. (There is a limited supply of rental skates and they are rented on a first come, first served basis).
1:30-2:30 p.m. –Hogan Tire Skate Time — John Millar Civic Center. Free admission/skate rentals. Pre-registration is required. Entry is limited to 25 people. Treat bags will be provided for those ages Pre-K to Grade 12. (There is a limited supply of rental skates and they are rented on a first come, first served basis).
3 p.m. — Fishing Derby final weigh-in at Seiders Variety Store on Calais Road in Hodgdon. Awards will be presented at a later time.
