Fourth annual event benefits arts programs
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Wintergreen Arts Center are teaming up again to present one of The County’s most unique and fun-filled 5K
fundraisers—the Fourth Annual Color Presque Isle 5K, where participants dress in white and get showered with colored powder throughout the course.
The event, which serves as a benefit for arts programming in Presque Isle, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 9 a.m.,starting at Riverside Park. Registration will begin at 8 a.m.
Color Presque Isle runs in the last three years have attracted hundreds of people and raised thousands of dollars for downtown arts programming.
“This is an event we look forward to all year long. We love seeing families and friends gather together to get covered in color, and watching our very enthusiastic crew of volunteers oblige them. Everyone has a ball, leaves looking like a walking work of art, and, of course, helps to support local arts programming in the process,” Rachel Rice, Color Presque Isle 5K event co-director with UMPI, said.
“We have lots of fun in store, including another best costume contest with even more great prizes, and encourage everyone to join us during our event on Aug. 27.”
Similar to other runs that have happened across the nation, this event involves volunteers dropping colored powder — it’s cornstarch-based, non-toxic and non-allergenic — on participants at various spots throughout the course, which begins at Riverside Park and loops around to the UMPI campus and back. This year’s route again includes a stretch along Main Street from State Street to UMPI.
“We’re very excited to celebrate the arts with our community for the fourth time with this special event and are packing in lots of fun, arts-focused activities before, during and after the 5K, including face painting and a community mural project,” said Kim Guerrette-Michaud, event co-director and Wintergreen Arts Center board member.
“We are incredibly grateful for all the community support we receive for this fun and family friendly event so that we can continue bringing high quality arts programming to our community,” she said.
Funding from this year’s event will help to support scholarships and the after-school program at Wintergreen Arts Center, as well as UMPI’s Empty Bowls benefit and visiting artist program.
Event organizers reported several sponsors are on board. This year’s blue-level sponsor is MMG Insurance. Yellow-level sponsors are Huber Engineered Woods, the Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee, Presque Isle Healthy Maine Streets, The Aroostook Medical Center, Katahdin Trust Company, Northern Athletic Supply and PenAir. Green-level sponsors are Machias Savings Bank, McCain Foods and State Farm Insurance. Orange-level sponsors are United Insurance and Star City IGA.
Other local businesses are stepping up to help fill 400 swag bags that will be handed out to participants while supplies last. This year’s T-shirts will be given out to the event’s first 250 registrants. For those who register after T-shirts run out, or who want to purchase T-shirts for children under 10, shirts will be able to purchase for $10 each at Northern Athletic Supply.
This year’s course will feature six color stations, sponsored by local businesses and staffed with teams of volunteers dressed up to reflect specific themes. Local photographers will take photos throughout the course, which will be available for purchase afterward with proceeds to benefit arts in the downtown. Selected photos will be featured in a Wintergreen exhibit.
The Aroostook Autism Support Group will provide refreshments and TAMC will provide water at the finish line. All participants and organizers will be invited to take part in a giant color throw. Color packets will be sold.
Because people have attended past Color PI 5K events with wigs, tutus and other fun-loving attire, organizers again will host a best costume contest with prizes in the individual, group and kid categories. The grand prize is a People’s Choice award with the winner receiving two round-trip tickets to Boston courtesy of PenAir. Other prizes include an overnight stay at the Hampton Inn in Presque Isle and a three-month membership at County Physical Therapy.
Along with the run, there will be several activities available for participants and those cheering on runners, including face painting, a community mural and the ice cream truck KTC’s Brain Freeze.
Participants and community members are invited to help spread the word via social media at www.facebook.com/colorpi5k or the tag #colorpi5k.
To get the most out of all that colored powder, participants are encouraged to wear white and may also want to consider wearing protective eyewear (swim goggles, sunglasses, etc.). This is not a timed event, so participants travel at their own pace. Anyone attending the event is asked not to bring pets or bikes.
The registration fee is $40; children under 10 are free. Registration is payable by cash or check (or by credit card online until 5 p.m. on Aug. 26). The registration fee includes a T-shirt for the first 250 paid registrants and a color packet.
Course maps will be available at check-in, which will be underway on Friday, Aug. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at Wintergreen Arts Center, and on Saturday, Aug. 27 starting at 8 a.m. at Riverside Park. Register at www.umpi.edu/colorpresqueisle5k or in person at Wintergreen Arts Center in Presque Isle.
For more information, contact Rachel Rice at umpi@maine.edu or the Wintergreen Arts Center staff at wintergreenarts@gmail.com or 762-3576.
