Moosestompers arrives this weekend in Houlton with three full days of activities. The following is a schedule of events. Updates or cancellations will be posted on the group’s Facebook page.
Friday, Feb 5, 2016
1 p.m. — Snow Creation Contest Judging — Build a snowman, snow sculpture or any other snow “creation” right at your own home. To be included in the judging, just call the Houlton Rec Department at 532-1310 with your name, address and a brief description of your creation. Those within 5 miles of Market Square are eligible. Registrations must be submitted by p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4. Prizes will be presented for “Best Snowman/People”, “Best Snow Sculpture” and “Most Original Creation”. Winners will each receive a $25 gift certificate.
5-7 p.m. — Public Supper at the Court Street Baptist Church. Meal features spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and dessert. The cost is by donation. Free Hot Cocoa to go is also available. Proceeds benefit “World Missions” through the American Baptist Churches World Mission Offering.
5-9 p.m. — Sliding under the lights. Derby Hill will be open and illuminated with industrial lights for kids of all ages to enjoy. Bring your sleds and enjoy the fun of nighttime sliding! Lights will be dimmed during the fireworks.
6-9 p.m. — Hogan Tire Skate Time at the John Millar Civic Center. Sponsored by Hogan Tire, enjoy a free night of ice skating, including free skate rentals. Prizes for the kids will also be offered. Concessions will be available.
6:30 p.m. — ATV Light Parade. The return of this parade for ATV around the streets of Houlton — starts and ends at Community Park (weather permitting). Participants of the parade will receive an extra card for the Poker Run on Saturday! Warm up by the bonfire after the parade.
7:15 p.m. — Fireworks. A free fireworks display will be held inside Community Park. Come see the pyrotechnics as they light up the winter sky and reflect off the snow.
9 p.m. — A Night Headlamp Snowshoe Hike will be held at the Military Street Baptist Church. Come and enjoy nature’s beauty under the moonlight on this guided hike. Bring a headlamp or flashlight! The foyer will be open with the fireplace blazing and hot cocoa available.
Saturday, Feb. 6
6-10 a.m. — Meduxnekeag Ramblers’ Special Breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so fill up and get ready for a great day of outdoor fun at the Meduxnekeag Ramblers Clubhouse on Wiley Road in Littleton. Cost is $7 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Menu includes eggs, bacon, baked ham, baked beans, homemade donuts and muffins, special pastries and beverages. And, be sure to get a 50/50 ticket for the drawing!
6 a.m. — Registration begins for the Moosestompers Ice Fishing Derby at Peg’s Place in Linneus. (Pre-Registration is available at Peg’s Place on Friday. MACS Trading Post 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 3 for $20. Prizes include $200 for the biggest trout, $200 for the biggest togue. Second place is $100 and third is $50. Prizes for Pickerel, Perch and Kids prizes, too! Weigh in times and rules and regulations are on the registration tickets! Join us for the Annual Moosestompers Fishing Derby! See you on Nickerson Lake, Drews Lake and Mill Pond. For additional information or tickets call Chris Putnam at 207-694-2180, Ellsworth Malone at 207-551-4406 or Steven Rouse at 207-694-3770.
8:30 a.m. -1 p.m. — Peewee and Tykes Basketball game at the Gentle Memorial Building. The schedule includes Jazz vs. Rockets, 8:30 a.m.; Suns vs. Hawks, 9:30 a.m.; Celtics vs. Nets, 11; Pacers vs. Lakers, 11:45 a.m.
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Moosestompers Poker Run, sponsored by Meduxnekeag Ramblers. Registration is from 6-9 a.m. during the breakfast at the Club House. Maps will be available. Poker Run course will be announced at breakfast where you will pick up your first card. The cost is $7 for one hand or two hands for $10. Riding in Friday Night’s Snowmobile Light Parade will gain you an extra card! Enjoy please follow the signs and be safe! First prize is $100; second prize is $75; and third prize is $50.
9 a.m. — Sliding hill opens. Enjoy Derby Hill for sliding throughout the weekend. Bring your own sled, flying saucer or toboggan and have fun!
10:00 a.m.-3 p.m. — LP Safety Table at Exhibit Hall. The LP Safety Team will hand out free hand warmers and coffee and will have several giveaways. Check them out!
10:15 a.m. — Peewee hockey vs. Grand Falls, John Millar Civic Center.
10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Moosestompers Contests. The return of the Moosestompers contests features three events to test your winter skills located in the Steven Porter Field and John Millar Civic Center in Community Park. Earn points for each contest you participate in and the top scorer is the official “Moosestomper.”
10:30 a.m. — Human Dog Sled Races. It’s just how it sounds … grab a partner to help you pull a third team member in a sleigh. (If you’re smart, you’ll put the lightest one in the sleigh).
11:15 a.m. — Snow Shoe Races. How fast can you run if you’re wearing a pair of snowshoes? This is your chance to find out!
12:30 p.m. — Human Curling. One rides in the saucer and the partner “curls” him/her down the ice course. The best curlers … or is it hurlers? … wins.
10:45 a.m. — The 32nd Annual 5K Wild Katahdin Trust Snow Run/2 Mile Walk. Walk begins at 10:45 a.m., followed by the run at 11 a.m. The event is the first run in the Aroostook Musterds County Challenge Series. Registration is from 9:30-10:35 a.m. in the Millar Civic Center’s function room on the second floor.
Fee is $12 with T-shirt for the first 50 registered participants. The course starts and finishes at the Millar Civic Center’s front entrance. An adult guardian must accompany children under 10 years of age. Categories for 5K Run: 14 and under, 15-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over.
Proceeds benefit the Houlton Area Backpacks For Kids Program. Refreshments available after the Run/Walk. The awards ceremony will be held at 11:45 a.m. including Run ‚Ä“ 1st Place for each age category, Walk ‚Ä“ first 5 walkers, Special Award – “MEAN” Runner. For more information, contact Nancy Ketch at (207)521-5938 or comm.development@houlton-maine.com and check our Facebook page. People of all abilities are welcome to join!
11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Food Concession Open in Exhibit Hall: The Houlton Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary can keep you going through the busy day with a snack, light lunch or hot drink, sandwiches, hot dogs, treats and hot chocolate will all be available.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides and Hay Rides: Enjoy a free sleigh ride or hay ride around Community Park.
11:30 a.m. — Cardboard Box Racer Judging: At the sliding races this year, participants will be able to use their Cardboard Box Racers. Judging just prior to the races. Ribbons will be given to the “Most Creative,” “Most Spirit” and “Most in a Box.” Participants must wear helmets. Duct tape is allowed and all Racers must be made of cardboard only. See you on the hill!
11:45 a.m. — Sawdust Prize Search: This event is held in memory of Tim McAtee. A guaranteed wild time digging in the sawdust for children’s prizes.
Noon-1 p.m. — 8th Annual Sliding Race: Located at Derby Hill, bring your sleds for this amazing race! Age groups are 6 and under, 7-9 and 10-13. Ribbons will be awarded.
Noon-2 p.m. — Antique and Vintage Snowmobile Display at Community Park: Sponsored by Houlton Power Sports, bring your restored or vintage and antique sleds and show them off to the crowd. The public will vote to select the winners for Vintage Single Cylinder, Vintage Twin Cylinder, Vintage Open and the Oldest Vintage Sled. There will also be a $100 prize for the People’s Choice Award.
Noon-3 p.m. — Maine Winter Sports Center Cross Country Skiing: Sponsored by Houlton Parks and Rec Department, 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 Maine Winter Sports Center Ski Trailer behind the log cabin. Skis, poles and boots provided by MWSC!
1 p.m. — 3rd Annual Snowdance: Dance to the song “Happy” and get ready for the Half Dollar Scramble (children only for the scramble). Dance will be on YouTube for all to see!
1 p.m. — Half Dollar Scramble for Children. Three age groups: 6 and younger, 7-9 and 10-13 will search for half dollars. Kids come and dig for treasure! There are 3 piles of snow mixed with 900 half dollars for the kids to find. Thanks to the following banks for making this possible — TD Bank, Machias Savings Bank, Bangor Savings Bank, Key Bank and County Federal Credit Union.
2 p.m. — Giant Bonfire, sponsored by the Houlton Fire Department. Get warm and toasty after the day of outdoor fun and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.
2-4 p.m. — Free Public Skating: John Millar Civic Center. Skate rentals are available for $2. Concessions available.
3:30 p.m. — 2nd Annual Men’s Basketball All Star Extravaganza at the Gentle Memorial Building. Promoted by Houlton Basketball Association Men’s League, the event will include a Free Throw Contest, 3-Point Shoot-Out and All Star Game. For more information, contact Jere A. Humphrey at 768-1667 or visit the web site at www.leaguelineup.com/houltonmensleague
4:30-5:30 p.m. — Free U18 Stick Time: John Millar Civic Center. Concessions available.
4:30-5:30 p.m. — Public Supper at the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum. A spaghetti supper will be served. The cost is by donation. A Valentines’ Dessert Auction will also be held. All proceeds to benefit the Greater Houlton Christian Academy.
9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. — Moosestompers Ball at Downunder Sports Pub. Live music by Wally and the Virginians. There will be a cover charge starting at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 8
11 a.m. — Giant Sliding Hill Reopens. Day 2 of sliding on Derby Hill. Come join the fun!
Noon — Snowsled rides. Take a ride around the park in style as a local snowmobiler pulls you and your friends on a special ‘boggan. A great way to ride!
12:30 p.m. — Kids’ Snowmobile Races. This is a timed event for sleds that are 120cc’s or smaller and for ages 4-10. Each participant runs the course alone and is timed.
2-4 p.m. — Free Public Skating at the John Millar Civic Center. The cost for skate rentals is $2.
3 p.m. — Fishing Derby Final Weigh-in and Awards Ceremony at Peg’s Place in Linneus. Be there to see the biggest fish!
4-5 p.m. — Free 18-and-old stick time at the John Millar Civic Center.
All Weekend
at Military Street Baptist Church on the Hill
Snowshoe and cross country ski trails will be open for use. Trail maps are posted and flagged. Begin at the Moose and enjoy!
