Aroostook Outdoor News: 6.21.19 edition

In this edition: 1) Join in a great gravel grinder bike ride in New Canada. 2) Walk or run for the health of it in Fort Kent. 3) Run or walk in one of The County’s oldest road races in Caribou. Plus lots more!



Events:

Saturday, June 22

NEW CANADA: The FARM Ride: Maine's Premier Gravel Bike Ride. Join us, and embark on an epic cycling adventure through the St. John River Valley: northern Maine’s growing potato, buckwheat, and wheat fields with vistas into neighboring New Brunswick, Canada. Celebrate your finish with a BBQ featuring local beef, beer and acoustic guitar tunes. Visit www.freshtails.com/event/f-a-r-m-1st-annual FMI

FORT KENT: Greater Fort Kent Chamber of Commerce Summer Fun Color Run/Walk 5k. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Riverside Park. Run/Walk start: 9:00 a.m. Cost: $10/adult, $5/youth. Pre-register by June 14 to guarantee a free t-shirt to have colored.  Visit www.fortkentchamber.com FMI

Sunday, June 23

CARIBOU: SW Collins Co. 5k Run/Walk and Kids’ Fun Run. Aroostook Musterds Challenge Series Race #3. Registration: 8:30 a.m. at SW Collins, 6 Washburn Street. Start times: Kids’ Fun Run start: 9:00 a.m. Walk start: 9:45 a.m. Run start: 10:00 a.m. First 75 registrants receive t-shirt. Contact Leslie Jackson (207-496-6723) or lesliej@swcollins.com FMI

Wednesday, June 26

MAPLETON: Mapleton Daze Bike Rodeo. 5:00-6:30 p.m. at Mapleton Elementary School. Kids receive instruction in bicycle safety, technique, on/off road riding, proper helmet wear, and will practice new skills on a special rider course. Sponsored by Bike, Board and Ski. Participants must bring own bicycle. Free hot dog combos for the participants, family. Visit www.facebook.com/events/281521262801115/ FMI

Saturday, June 29

MAPLETON: Mapleton Daze Breakfast with a View. 7:00 a.m. at Haystack Mountain Trailhead, located approximately 4 miles west of Mapleton or 10 miles east of Ashland on ME-163. All ages invited to hike the mountain and enjoy breakfast at the top. Cost: FREE! Sponsored by ACAP. Visit www.facebook.com/events/319547132043642 FMI

Wednesday, July 3

HOULTON: 7th Annual LP Miracle Mile: Makenna and Maggie's Race for Research. 1-mile downhill race to raise money for research and awareness for Pediatric Cancer. Registration and Check-in: 4:00 p.m. at Military Street Baptist Church. Race start: 6:00 p.m. on Drake's Hill; finish in Market Square. Contact Chris Rines (207-227-2813) or visit www.runsignup.com/Race/ME/Houlton/LPMiracleMile FMI

Friday, July 5

CARIBOU: Musterd Mile. Aroostook Musterds Challenge Series Race #4. 1-mile run on Sweden Street for all ages. Registration: 6:00 p.m. at Caribou High School Race start: 7:00 p.m. Contact PJ Gorneault (207-762-0613) pgorneault@rsu39.org FMI

Tuesday, July 16

FORT FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival Canoe & Kayak Fun Day. 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Frontier Fish and Game Club, Monson Pond, 550 Dorsey Rd. Some canoes and kayaks available with life vests, or bring your own. Paddlers must wear life vest; children must be accompanied by adult. Cost: FREE! Hotdog B.B.Q. to follow. Contact Garrett Martin (207-356-7781) FMI

EASTON: Maine Potato Blossom Festival Planetarium Shows. 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. at Francis Malcolm Science Center, 776 Houlton Rd. Easton. Shows include “Dawn of the Space Age” in memory of 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong and “one small step” on the moon. Reservations required. Contact FMSC (207-488-5451) FMI

Thursday, July 18

FORT FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival Cary/Pines Inflatable Adventure Park. 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Fort Fairfield Middle/High School Athletic Complex. Inflatables and vendors on site. Sponsored by: Cary Medical Center and Pines Health Services.

Friday, July 19

FORT FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival Bike Rodeo. 9:00 a.m. at CP Station Park. For kids ages 12 and under. Bring your bike and helmet and join in the fun! Visit www.fortfairfield.org FMI

Saturday, July 20

AROOSTOOK COUNTY: Maine Audubon Loon Count Project. Be a citizen scientist; go to your favorite lake or pond to count loons and help protect them and their lake habitat. The count occurs between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.; the early morning provides an excellent snapshot of our loon population. Registration required. Contact Susan Gallo (207-781-6180 x216) or sgallo@maineaudubon.org FMI

FORT FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival Potato Blossom Poker Run. 8:00-11:00 a.m. at Festival Headquarters, Village Square. Walk or drive to checkpoints to collect poker hand, finishing at the Rec. Center. Buy more hands for more chances to win! Monetary prize to 1st-3rd place hands. Proceeds benefit FFMHS Varsity Cheerleaders

FORT FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival 5-Miler. Registration: 7:30 a.m. at CP Park across from Hillside IGA, Main St. Walk start: 8:30 a.m. Run start: 9:00 a.m. Cost: $15/person; t-shirt to first 70 registrants. Contact Rob Langner (207-227-6075) or langnerrob@yahoo.com FMI

Sunday, July 21

FORT FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival Potato Blossom Tough Tater 5k and Tough Tater Tot 1-mile Obstacle Course. Each course has 10 challenging and fun obstacles; you don't have to be a fitness fanatic to achieve success! Spectators welcome. Food vendors. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at Fort Fairfield Middle High School. Tough Tater Tot start: 9:00 a.m. Tough Tater start: 10:00 a.m. Visit www.fortfairfield.org FMI

FORT FAIRFIELD: Maine Potato Blossom Festival Flotilla of Fun. 2:00 p.m. at Forbes Landing, 6 mi. north of Fort Fairfield on Rt. 161. Ends at Giggey’s Landing just after FF Bridge. Bring your kayaks and canoes and lifejackets; join us on the Aroostook River for an afternoon of fun. Canoe and kayak rentals available by calling Kayak Country (540-6573). Cost: FREE! Contact Fort Fairfield Parks and Recreation (207-472-3882) FMI

Ongoing Programs:

CARIBOU: C.R.X. Outdoor Adventure Program Open Registration. Weekdays. Exciting outdoor activities for youth entering grades 5-11. Cost/age: varies by program. Open to all area youth. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI

EASTON: Francis Malcolm Science Center Walk-in Tours. Weekdays; 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Experience our planetarium’s full-dome, digital projection system, featuring a 30-minute activity; 15 minutes in the star theater, 15 minutes to visit the facility at large. Cost: $5/visitor; reservations requested. Contact FMSC (207-488-5451) FMI

PRESQUE ISLE: Bike Board & Ski Group Mountain Bike Ride. Mondays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center Welcome Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. Year-round, conditions permitting. All abilities, no-drop ride. 7-10 miles; 6-8 mph avg. Focus on technical riding skills, group riding, having fun. Contact Tom Chasse (207-694-5222) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI

CARIBOU: Bike Board & Ski Group Road Bike Ride. Tuesdays; 5:30 p.m. at SW Collins, 6 Washburn St. All abilities welcome; multiple groups/routes depending on abilities. Casual ride of 20-30 miles; 12-18 mph avg. Focus on improving group riding skills, safety, etiquette, having fun. Contact Andrew Bouchard (207-551-7027) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI

MADAWASKA: Four Seasons Trail Association Walking Group. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 1:00 p.m. at Four Seasons Lodge, 425 Spring St. Bring lunch. Contact Jacqueline Soucy (207-728-7047) FMI

PRESQUE ISLE: Women's Trail Night. Wednesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. May-June. Beginner and advanced groups depart from the parking lot at 6:00 p.m. sharp. Cost: FREE! Visit www.facebook.com/groups/823219364374296 FMI

PRESQUE ISLE: Bike Board & Ski Group Mountain Bike Ride. Wednesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center Welcome Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. Year-round, conditions permitting. Faster group ride for intermediate to advanced riders. 10-13 miles; 8-10 mph avg. Focus on shredding the trails, group riding, having fun. Contact Tom Chasse (207-694-5222) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI

PRESQUE ISLE: Presque Isle Historical Society Guided Historic Fairmount Cemetery Tour. Second Friday of the month May 10-September 13. at 5:30 p.m. at Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, 3 Houlton Road. 1.5-hour guided walking tour; discuss origins, Victorian influences, 30 local historic figures. Many hills on tour. Cost: $5. Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI

PRESQUE ISLE: Presque Isle Historical Society Guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour. Fourth Saturday of the month April 27-September 28 from 10:00 a.m.-Noon. Guided two-mile tour begins and ends at the 1875 Vera Estey House Museum, 16 Third Street, and covers over 30 historic sites and individuals. Reservations suggested. Fee: FREE. Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI

PRESQUE ISLE: County Strides Running Group. Sundays; 10:00 a.m. at various locations. Open to all abilities; be ready for an easy run of 30-45 minutes, and bring friends! Visit County Strides at www.facebook.com/groups/447181508818122 FMI

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