10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30
Good things come in threes: the third event of the Maine state parks winter season is taking place later this month at Mt. Blue State Park.
The popular state park in Weld will hold its third annual “Take It Outside!” Winter Family Fun Day, with a package of fun, outdoor activities, according to Park Manager Bruce Farnham. There also will be some new activities to entice everyone out of doors, he said.
Building on the success of previous years, the event is expected to draw a large crowd of fun-seekers who are looking for affordable family activities. Last year’s Family Fun Day drew about 600 people, he said.
“It’s a great day for a family outing, and Mt. Blue has opportunities for many different winter activities” the park manager said. “We’re expecting a bigger crowd than last year, weather permitting. We’ve got our fingers crossed and we’re doing a snow dance.”
The details of the event are:
10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, Mt. Blue State Park, Center Hill Rd., Weld; Adults 12-64, $1.50; children and seniors, free; includes lunch.
The activities will abound, with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding. Equipment will be available for those that don’t have their own.
Staff from the Maine Winter Sports Center and Northern Lights, Hearth & Sports will help instruct those who want to try out cross country skiing or snowshoeing for the first time, Farnham said. “The availability of equipment gives people a chance to try out a winter sport that they may not otherwise experience,” he said.
Those folks who intend on going sledding at the Center Hill Picnic Area are advised to bring their own sleds, though some will be available. Park rangers and volunteers will help transport people to the top of the hill.
Ice skating will take place on the outdoor rink near the parking lot, with instruction by Regional Park Manager Mike Leighton several times a day. The Mt. Blue ice skating rink is known to have “one of the best views in the state” and to be a spectacular skating site, Farnham said.
Park Manager Andy Hutchinson of Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, an expert naturalist, will offer two interpretative walks on “Nature in Winter.” Participants will put on their snowshoes and head on the trails for an informative experience.
Once again, visitors will be able to take a sleigh ride in the state park, provided by David Fish and his horse team. The rides will be available throughout the day, Farnham said.
Two special activities are new this year. Rex Turner, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands outdoor recreation planner, will demonstrate winter camping skills. The Maine Warden Service also will present different aspects of winter rescues, focusing on how to stay out of trouble in the Maine woods in the winter time.
“I expect people will be very intrigued by these demonstrations,” Farnham said. “Not many people try winter camping, but are interested in knowing how to go about it.”
As with all winter state park events, lunch is included in the admission fee, making the event a great family value. Hot food will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a menu consisting of hamburgers, chili, corn chowder, hot dogs, cookies, brownies, hot chocolate, and coffee. A bonfire also will help keep all those active people warm.
Community support has been very strong for the event, the park manager said. There have been many more local volunteers coming forward to participate and offer their help. The Friends of Maine State Parks also are helping with food preparation and general volunteer efforts, he said.
In addition, community businesses and organizations have been very supportive of the Family Fun Day by providing donations and help, Farnham acknowledged. Event planners are most grateful for the extensive support, he said. The sponsors include Hannaford-Farmington, Walmart-Farmington, Maine Winter Sports Center, Franklin Savings Bank, Northern Lights, Hearth & Sports, Poland Spring, Wicked Joe Coffee and the Weld General Store.
Event participants are reminded to dress warmly and appropriately for a fun day outside, Farnham said.
For more information, go to http://www.parksandlands.com and follow the link to the Event Calendar.
