According to Caribou’s Marketing and Event Coordinator Lydia Kieffer, this will be the city’s first Winter Carnival in about four or five years.
“We have a ton of different activities for all ages and interests,” said Kieffer. “Not everything is going to be outside like you might expect, and there are quite a few indoor activities. We want to get the community involved so this can be a yearly tradition.”
The city has been planning and preparing this seasonal celebration for nearly eight months, and have been communicating with other communities that hold winter carnivals to get inspiration and ideas for events.
Kieffer, the Rec Department staff, Police Chief Michael Gahagan, Fire Chief Scott Susi, City Manager Austin Bleess, and department heads all around Caribou are all working together to orchestrate this year’s Winter Carnival.
The three-day carnival starts with the Father Daughter Sweetheart Dance on Friday night, Feb. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center. Admission is $5 per couple, and professional photographs can be purchased for a small fee.
Saturday is going to be packed with events, starting with a pancake breakfast, which leads into a book sale, a whoopie pie baking contest, sled and canoe races, a snow sculpture contest, and ice skating on Collins Pond. Finally, on Sunday there will be a barbecue and a Broomball Tournament in which the winner receives a $500 prize.
Some events are free to join while others, such as the whoopie pie baking contest, require pre-registration, so those who are interested are urged to call the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department at 493-4224.
Sponsors for this year’s Winter Carnival include Sitel, United Insurance/Kieffer Agency, Rotary Club of Caribou, Caribou Kiwanis Club, S.W. Collins Company, Save-A-Lot, and Sleeper’s of Caribou.
“The only way these events can live on is if we have participation from everyone,” said Kieffer, “so come out and see what we have to offer. We have a wide variety of events that are sure to capture plenty of interests.”
