CARIBOU, Maine — Though Caribou won’t get the worst of the weather, approaching Hurricane Lee has postponed the city’s first ATV-themed festival.
Spud Speedway co-owners Troy Haney and Jim Gamage had hoped to launch the DustBowl this weekend after a highly successful SnowBowl in March. But heavy rainfall has pushed all events to Sept. 28 through Oct. 1.
Hurricane Lee, currently a category three tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 115 mph, is expected to turn north toward Maine and Nova Scotia in the coming days. Lee might be downgraded to a tropical storm by this weekend but heavy rain is still projected for southern Maine and New England.
After consulting the National Weather Service in Caribou, Haney and Gamage learned the area could expect a half an inch of rain Saturday and another inch that night. With local attendees and downstate visitors expected, they wanted to take precautions and postpone the event, Haney said.
“We want to make sure everyone stays safe and has the best experience while they’re here,” Haney said.
Due to other commitments, the Maine Truck and Tractor Pull Association will not be bringing their events to the newly scheduled DustBowl. But all other events, including a downtown block party, grass drags, car show, motorcycle stunt show and an ATV mountain ride, are still set, Haney said.
Community members can still take part in a scarecrow decorating contest and have until Sept. 27 to submit their entries. Winners will be announced Sept. 28 at noon.
An updated schedule can be found on the DustBowl website.
