WOODLAND, Maine — It may have been delayed a month due to some finicky February weather, but the annual Woodland Winter Carnival was well worth the wait.
For the 54th consecutive year, Woodchucks from all over returned to their primary school to celebrate the event and watch current students vie for titles in races like the 50-yard snowshoe dash and the school-wide tobogganing race.
“The weather was fantastic — everyone could stay outside and enjoy warm weather, and snow conditions were good,” said Woodland’s teaching principal Susie Schloeman. “The trails were groomed and ready to go,” she added, thanking Bob Masse for his efforts to get the trails and hill ready for the big outdoor event.
All things considered, like the state basketball tournament and ice fishing derby being held on the same day, Schloeman thought the event had a pretty good turnout.
Ten-year-old P.J. Thornton has been attending the event “I think since I was a little baby,” he said, explaining that his older sister probably brought the family to Winter Carnival before he was old enough to remember.
“Snowboarding is my favorite event, because you have no hands and you get to do tricks and stuff,” Thornton said.
Schloeman said that the Woodland students get geared up for Winter Carnival, particularly if they have winning titles to defend from the previous years.
“They enjoy it,” she said. “It’s something they can all come out to enjoy and have a good time.”
Thornton said he always looks forward to racing down the hill and trying to be the fastest, but when he’s out there competing, he’s more excited to be having fun than trying to beat his friends scores.
“[Winter Carnival] is one of the things I like best,” Thornton said of all the other activities held at the school throughout the year.
For 54 years, the Winter Carnival has been hosted by members of the PTA – which Woodland PTA members will quickly tell you is the longest-running PTA in the state.
The PTA holds fundraisers to keep their events going, and current PTA President Sherri Parker said that the proceeds from Saturday’s fundraisers will benefit the programs and activities the group sponsors for the kids at school.
“Our next fundraising event will be our Spring Supper on March 16,” she said.
The meal will feature baked stuffed chicken, potatoes, vegetables and the PTA’s famous homemade desserts.
