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PHOTO: The Snowshoe Tug-of-War is just one of the events at the Norway Snowshoe Festival. (Submitted photo)
NORWAY – The 11th annual Norway Snowshoe Festival will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Roberts Farm Preserve and culminate that night with a contra dance at Norway Grange.
The event, which celebrates Norway as the self-proclaimed “Snowshoe Town of America” is hosted by the Western Foothills Land Trust.
The day’s events include 2k, 5k and 10k snowshoe races and snowshoe tug of war, with prizes for top women, men and youth competitors. Registration for the races and tug of war are required either online at wfltmaine.org/snowshoe-festival ($5 youth, $10 adults) or at the event, with the deadline an hour before the race or tug-of-war ($10 youth, $15 adults).
The program at the preserve, 58 Roberts Road, also includes free events, all on snowshoes, including yoga on snowshoes; family games like three-legged race, 100-yard dash, musical chairs, family pulk pull; corn toss biathlon with under-10, under-20 and adult heats; snowshoe fashion show; guided snowshoe hike to cocoa at the preserve’s iconic view across Norway Lake.
Bring your own snowshoes or use ones available for free at the event.
Norway Brewing Company will serve light snacks at the fire pit and Lucky Cat Food Truck will be onsite with Hong Kong bubble waffles and warm drinks.
The Norway Historical Society, 471 Main St., will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a new exhibit, “Norway Maine: Snowshoe Town of America,” showcasing its collection of historic snowshoes and photographs.
The festival concludes with a contra dance 6 to 8 p.m. at the Norway Grange, 15 Whitman St., featuring music by Bill Olson and Pam Weeks. Suggested donation at the door is $10 per person and $25 per family.
Norway was home to four major snowshoe industries between 1850 and 1980: Snowcraft, Tubbs, H.H. Hosmer and Mellie Dunham. Dunham was the first commercial snowshoe maker in town, outfitting Admiral Robert Peary’s expedition to the North Pole, as well as a renowned fiddler. In honor of Dunham’s talents, the Norway Snowshoe Festival always includes a contra dance in addition to athletic and outdoor snowshoe events.
For the full schedule, visit wfltmaine.org/snowshoe-festival.
Dancers enjoy a contra dance in honor of Mellie Dunham at a previous Norway Snowshoe Festival. (Western Foothills Land Trust photo)
