Aroostook Outdoor News: 7.30.15 edition
#SummerIsBack: At least for now.
#GetOutside and enjoy the #thunderstorms! #GetMuddy #AroostookThing
In this edition: 1) #NordicTrailFestival in
#PresqueIsle. 2) #5k #RoadRaces #ThisWeekend in Woodstock, NB, #FortKent,
#VanBuren and #IslandFalls. 3) A #Triathlon, #10k, and a #1k for #kids in
Edmundston, NB. Plus lots more! #offugo...
Friday, July 31 to Sunday,
August 2
Nordic Trail Festival,
Presque Isle
Nordic
Heritage Sport Club hosts a celebration of community, trails and lifestyle.
Tackle the trails for a day of running or biking; relax and take part in
various events. Enjoy live music, games, contests, food, racing, and the
awesome trails of the Nordic Heritage Center. Visit www.nordictrailfestival.com FMI
Saturday,
August 1
Coureur
des Bois Triathlon, Edmundston, NB
Re-trace steps of French-Canadian woodsmen who
ventured into the woods to trade for furs; racers carry a package from start to
finish while canoeing, mountain biking, running. Contact Eric Carrier
(506-740-0489) or eric.carrier@twinriverspaper.com or
visit www.foirebrayonne.com/#!coureur-des-bois/chbe FMI
Saturday, August 1
Tim Horton’s Joe McGuire
Road Race, Woodstock, NB
10k
Run, 5k Run/Walk. Route is flat and fast along the beautiful St. John River.
Registration: on-line only at www.atlanticchip.ca. Race start: 8:30 a.m.
(Atlantic) at Woodstock Fire Station/Town Hall, 824 Main St. Contact Woodstock
Recreation Dept. (506-325-4671) FMI
Saturday, August 1
Van Buren Class of 2018 Color
the Valley 5k Run/Walk/Roll, Van Buren
Registration:
8:00 a.m. at St John Valley Health Center, 4 Main St. Cost: $30/pre-reg.,
$35/race day, FREE/kids 10 and under; first 100 paid registrants receive FREE
shirt! Visit www.eventbrite.com/e/color-the-valley-5k-tickets-17067505368 FMI
Saturday, August 1
UMFK Summer Fun Run, Fort
Kent
5k
Run/Walk. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at UMFK Sports Center. Race start: 9:00 a.m.
Contact Lucas Levesque (207-834-7876) or lucas.levesque@maine.edu FMI
Saturday, August 1
Island Falls Summer Fest 4k
Walk/5k Run, Island Falls
Kids’
Run start: 8:45 a.m. Walk/Run start: 9:00 a.m. at Island Falls Municipal
Building. Winners receive their choice of homemade pies and other delectable
desserts. Cost: $12/pre-reg., $15/day of race; first 100 receive t-shirt.
Contact John Walker (207-504-1456) or jswalkerinc@gmail.com FMI
Saturday, August 1
Brayons Cours Kids’ 1k,
Edmundston, NB
Race
start: 5:00 p.m. (Atlantic) at Sports Experts, 33 Canada Rd., downtown
Edmundston. For children 12 and under. Contact Daniel Violette dviolett@nbnet.nb.ca FMI
Sunday, August 2
Brayons Cours 10k,
Edmundston, NB
Race
start: 9:00 a.m. (Atlantic) at Palladium Arena in St. Jacques,
NB. Other distances: 1k, 3k, 5k, 21.1k, 3k walk. Pre-register at www.inscriptionenligne.ca/brayons-cours. Technical t-shirt to first
200 registrations online. Light meal served after race. Contact Daniel Violette
dviolett@nbnet.nb.ca FMI
Saturday,
August 8
SFC
Aaron Henderson Memorial 5k Run/Walk, Houlton
This is a cross country style race. Registration: 7:30
a.m. at Houlton Community Park. Presentation 8:30 a.m. Run/Walk start: 9:00
a.m. All proceeds to Wounded Warrior Project. Contact MACS Trading Post (207-521-4904)
FMI
Saturday,
August 8
County
Open Half Marathon, Island Falls
Race start: 8:00 a.m. Meet at Island Falls Municipal
Building. Contact John Walker (207-415-1688) or jswalkerinc@gmail.com FMI
Saturday,
August 8
Portage
Lake Family Chub Tournament, Portage Lake
A fishing tournament to catch the most “trash fish.”
No trout, salmon, frozen fish allowed. Registration: 7:00 a.m. at Duchette’s
dock, 85 Hayward St. Derby: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Cost: $5; all reg. fees paid
out in prizes; 1st: 50% of entry fees, 2nd: 30%, 3rd: 20%. Contact Larry
Duchette (207-435-4361) FMI
*Saturday,
August 8
Aroostook
National Wildlife Refuge Hike and Bike, Limestone
Trails open 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Lisa Fishman from
Cooperative Extension will present a program on healthy, portable foods and
snacks from 10:00 a.m.-Noon in the Visitors’ Venter. Contact
Friends of ANWR (207-328-4634) or president@friendsofaroostooknwr.org
FMI
Sunday,
August 9-Friday, August 14
Camp
Living Waters Junior Survivor Camp, Weston
Excellent trip on Baskahegan River for first-timers
(ages 10-12) to learn aspects of river travel, skill-building, friendly tribal
competitions; a week of non-stop wilderness fun! Every evening the Bible comes
alive with devotions presented by a special guest speaker. Cost: $335. Visit www.lwcamp.com FMI
Wednesday,
August 12 and Saturday, August 22
Houlton/Hodgdon
Adult Ed. Firearms Hunter Safety Course, Houlton
Maine DIF&W Hunter Education: more than gun
safety. Taught by trained, certified instructors; students receive course
handbook, outdoor survival info, more. Course includes lectures and
demonstrations, field experiences, and written exam. Contact Houlton/Hodgdon
Adult Ed. (207-521-3100, x5) FMI
Saturday,
August 15
Mars
Hill Mountain Challenge, Mars Hill
10:00 a.m. at Bigrock Mountain Ski Area. 5k course
with plenty of elevation gain; natural and man-made obstacles. Register as an
individual, then create a 4-person team if interested. Open to ages 15+;
recommended for ages 18+. Cost: $65. Contact Ryan Guerrette (207-227-8165) or ryanguerrette@bigrockmaine.com FMI
Saturday,
August 15
6th
Annual Crossing of Lake Pohénégamook Swim Race, Pohénégamook, QC
This event attracts many renowned swimmers. 2k, 8.5k
distances. 2k race start: 12:00 p.m. at Municipal Beach Pohénégamook, 50 Tête-du-Lac
Street. 8.5k race start: 1:00 p.m. (all times Eastern). Cost: FREE! Contact
Dany Plourde (418-859-2222 ext 105) or visit www.pohenegamook.net/tourisme FMI
*Saturday, August 15
Portage Lake Historical
Society Canoe Carry, Portage Lake
6:30
p.m. Join in on this historical re-enactment of the traditional portage from
Little Machias Lake to Portage Lake. Distance: 2.1 miles; put in at southwest
corner of Portage Lake; land at Picnic Pavilion in Portage. Contact Jim Dumond (207-227-1864)
FMI
Sunday,
August 16
25th
Annual Tour de la Vallee, Fort Kent
Ride, walk, or run on a grand tour of the St. John
Valley. Bike 25, 50, 62, or 100 miles, or walk/run 3, 5, or 10 miles. Fully
supported; rest stops, medical, mechanical. Cost: $30/individual, $60/family.
Supports local cancer patients and families. Visit www.nmmc.org/biketour FMI
Sunday,
August 16
Butte
du Bonhomme Blanchet Hiking Trip, Rivière-Bleue, QC
1:30 p.m. at Les Chevaliers des Frontières Snowmobile
Club, Saint-Elzéar Road. 1k path leads to viewpoint oriented towards Border
Route; 240 degree panorama, view of the state of Maine in backdrop. Contact
Marielle Landry Telephone (418-893-2649) FMI
*Friday,
August 21
Caribou
Community and Alumni XC Race, Caribou
Distance: 2.75 miles. Race as an individual or as a
team. Runners start according to age; each category starting one minute apart
so everyone has a chance to win. Cost: FREE. Registration: 6:30 p.m. at CHS Ski
Building. Race start: 7:45 p.m. Contact Roy Alden (207-498-3563) or ralden@rsu39.org FMI
Friday,
August 21
Woodie
Wheaton Land Trust Seminar: Trout, Some Greens, and a Charge of Beans; Another
Evening in Rhyme!, Forest City
7:30 p.m. at WWLT Center. A lively evening of
unpublished verse with a distinctly local flavor, long hidden in dusty attics
and old shoe boxes, again shows how folks in other times loved and laughed like
us. This was a hit in 2013! Contact WWLT (207-448-3250) or info@woodiewheaton.org FMI
*Saturday,
August 22 to Sunday, August 23
Caribou
Rec. Take It Outside Series Adult Allagash Trip, Caribou
One-night/two-day paddling trip; learn the basic
skills associated with canoe tripping. Camping at Allagash Falls; bring your
steel leader and favorite Muskie lures. Fee: $75; includes gear,
transportation, meals. Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org FMI
Saturday, August 22
Woodie Wheaton Land Trust
Baskahegan Stream Canoe Trip, Forest City
8:00
a.m.-4:00 p.m. Join Maine Guide Homer Clough as we paddle flatwater sections of
Baskahegan Stream. Bring your kayak, canoe, or use one of our traditional
wood/canvas canoes from the Upham Collection. Bring lunch. Cost: $10/adult;
$5/child. Contact WWLT (207-448-3250) or info@woodiewheaton.org FMI
Saturday,
August 22
Baxter
Outdoors/Katahdin Woods & Waters Wild Maine Weekend 10k, Shin Pond
Registration: 8:30 a.m. at Matagamon Gatehouse. Race
start: 10:00 a.m. Cost: $25. Course weaves through pristine KWW Recreation
Area, hugging Penobscot East Branch; mostly dirt logging roads. Evening fun,
food, entertainment at Shin Pond Village following race. Visit www.baxteroutdoors.com FMI
Saturday, August 22
UMPI/Wintergreen Arts
Center Color Presque Isle 5k, Presque Isle
The
run drops colored powder on runners throughout the course; dress in white and
let us supply the color! Race start: 9:00 a.m. at Riverside Park. Cost:
$30/before 8/1; $40/after 7/31; free/under 10. Contact Wintergreen Arts Center
(207-762-3576) or visit www.umpi.edu/colorpresqueisle5k FMI
Saturday,
August 22
Guided
Walking Tour of Historic Downtown, Presque Isle
10:00 a.m.-Noon. Led by Presque Isle Historical
Society, this guided two-hour, two-mile tour begins and ends at the 1875 Vera
Estey House Museum, 16 Third Street. Cost: FREE; $2 donation suggested. Tour
cancelled in inclement weather. Contact PIHS (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI
*Saturday,
August 29
Caribou
Rec. Take It Outside Series Adult Kayak Trip, Caribou
Portage Lake is a most unique ecosystem, best explored
on the water; see floating islands, wide variety of water and shore birds. Cost:
$30; includes transportation, paddle gear, binoculars sit-down lunch at Dean’s.
Contact Neal Sleeper (207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org
FMI
Sunday,
August 30
Maine
Running Festival, Presque Isle
Runners in all distances start together: 1-mile Kids’
Fun Run, 5k, 10k, Harvest Half Marathon. Races fully supported; water stops,
chip timing, child-friendly activities while adults run. Beer
garden, live music at finish! Participants receive event shirt, finishers
receive a medal. Visit www.competitorme.com FMI
*Tuesday, September 1
Caribou Rec. Take It
Outside Series Adult Grand Falls Gorge/St. John River Tour, Caribou
Guided
hike around Grand Falls, NB gorge; 4-hour pontoon boat cruise of the waters
above the dam. Fee: $50; includes transportation, lunch. Contact Neal Sleeper
(207-493-4224) or sleeper@cariboumaine.org
FMI
*Sunday, September 6
Half Marathon Festival,
Saint-François, NB
Registration:
8:00 a.m. Race start: 10:00 a.m. (all times Atlantic). Cost: $35/half marathon,
$25/8k, $6/3k before 8/29, 1k/FREE; $45/half marathon, $35/8k, $10/3k race day;
includes chicken BBQ. First 100 half marathon and 8k registrants receive a
Sports Experts jersey. Contact Gaétane Duval (506-992-2780) FMI
*Monday, September 7
Viking
Run, Caribou
Kids’
running races on the CHS track; various distances according to age group. Registration:
8:00 a.m. Race start: 9:00 a.m. Contact Roy Alden (207-498-3563) or ralden@rsu39.org FMI
*Monday, September 7
Caribou
Labor Day Road Race, Caribou
5k
walk start: 10:30 a.m. 8k run start: 11:00 a.m. Meet at Caribou High School Ski
Building. Contact Chris Smith (207-768-4972) or christopher.smith@umpi.edu FMI
Ongoing Programs:
Fort Kent Outdoor Center
Road Bike Ride, Fort Kent
Sundays; 8:00 a.m. behind Irving on
Main St. June-September. Rides last 2+ hours and range 20-40 miles. All riders
welcome. Come join the fun and experience some great rides. Contact Norm Martin
njmartin@fairpoint.net FMI
Sunday Saunter Running
Group, Presque Isle
Sundays; 10:00 a.m. at UMPI's
Gentile Hall. Open to all abilities; be ready for an easy run of 30-45 minutes,
and bring friends! Contact Jonathan Kelley competitorme@gmail.com FMI
Guided Bootlegger Trail
Hike, Rivière-Bleue, QC
Sundays; fourth Sunday/month at the
end of Chemin Brissette at Pied-du-Lac (Long Lake). The Rivière-Bleue
Appalachian Hiking Club invites visitors to get acquainted with The Bootlegger
trails, which will connect you with exceptional nature, islands, animal, and a
magical setting. Cost: Free! Contact Marielle Landry (418-893-2649) or info1@routedesfrontieres.com FMI
NHSC Group Mountain Bike
Ride, Presque Isle
Mondays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic
Heritage Center Lodge. 8-12 miles. All abilities welcome. Happy to show
visitors our amazing trail system. Contact Tom
Chasse (207-694-5222) or tom@bikeboardandski.com FMI
MOJO Monday Meander,
Presque Isle
Mondays; 6:00 p.m. at MOJO
Outdoor Sports. Easy road bike group ride. Average speed: 14-18 mph for 22
miles. Contact Mark Fullen (207-760-9500) or info@mojooutdoorsports.com FMI
Walking Group, Caribou
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; 6:00 p.m. at Downtown Mall
parking lot. Open to the public; weather permitting. A good way to exercise and
meet new friends. Contact Pauline or Renee (207-492-2079) evenings FMI
Tuesday Track Workouts,
Caribou
Tuesdays; 5:15 p.m. at CHS. Join
runners of all abilities to do predetermined intervals, your own workout, or
just run with others and forget the workout. Average distance: 5-9 miles; can
be adapted per individual. Contact PJ Gorneault pgorneault@rsu39.org FMI
Jessome’s Friendly Group
Road Bike Ride, Edmundston, NB
Tuesdays; 6:30 p.m. (Atlantic) at
Jessome’s parking lot. Different routes/distances from 30k to 60k! Average
speed: 25-30 kmh. Contact Marc-André Martin (506 735-6292) FMI
NHSC Women's Trail Night,
Presque Isle
Tuesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic
Heritage Center Lodge. May-June. Leaders will take you on hiking, trail
running, and mountain biking adventures; beginner and intermediate groups.
Equipment rentals available. Visit www.nordicheritagecenter.com FMI
River Valley Runners Tuesday
Fun Run, Woodstock, NB
Tuesdays; 7:00 p.m. (Atlantic) at Woodstock Farm &
Craft Market, 220 King Street. Distance: 5k. Pace: Easy. Have fun and share the
joy of running! Visit
www.facebook.com/groups/rvrunnersnb FMI
Perception of Aroostook
Guided Aroostook River Tour, Presque Isle
Wednesdays; 4:30 p.m. at Perception of
Aroostook, 9 Caribou Rd. Paddle Washburn to Presque Isle; bird watching, lessons,
relaxation! 2.5-4 hours. Shuttle Fee: $10; Kayak rental and shuttle: $35.
Contact Leo Freeman (207-764-5506) FMI
NHSC Group Mountain Bike
Ride, Presque Isle
Wednesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic
Heritage Center Fort Road trailhead. 8-12 miles. All abilities welcome. Happy
to show visitors our amazing trail system. Contact Tom
Chasse (207-694-5222) or tom@bikeboardandski.com FMI
MOJO Good Times Ride,
Presque Isle
Wednesdays; 6:00 p.m. at MOJO
Outdoor Sports. Moderate road bike group ride. Average speed: 15-18 mph for
20-30 miles. Contact Mark Fullen (207-760-9500) or info@mojooutdoorsports.com FMI
FKOC Outdoor Fun Night, Fort
Kent
Wednesdays; 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Fort
Kent Outdoor Center. Paintball, Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Walking,
Hiking, Road Biking. All ages, abilities welcome. Programming will depend on
requests of participants. Come out and let us know how you would like to
participate! Contact Fort Kent Outdoor Center (207-834-6203) FMI
Village of Perth-Andover
Walk in the Park, Perth-Andover, NB
Wednesdays; 6:30–7:30 p.m. (Atlantic) at
Perth-Andover Bandstand; weather permitting. Visit www.perth-andover.com FMI
River Valley Runners
Thursday Fun Run, Woodstock, NB
Thursdays; 8:30 a.m. (Atlantic) at
Woodstock Farm & Craft Market, 220 King Street. Distance: 5k. Pace: Easy.
Have fun and share the joy of running! Visit www.facebook.com/groups/rvrunnersnb FMI
Bike
Board and Ski Road Bike Ride, Presque Isle
Saturdays;
7:30 a.m. at BB&S rear entrance behind Northeastland Hotel. 25-35 miles;
1.5-2 hours. Pace: moderate to fast; 16-18 mph early season, 18-20 mph
mid-season. Contact Andrew Bouchard (207-551-7027) or andrew@bikeboardandski.com FMI
River Valley Runners
Saturday Fun Run, Woodstock, NB
Saturdays; 8:30 a.m. (Atlantic) at Woodstock Farm &
Craft Market, 220 King Street. Distance: 5k. Pace: Easy. Have fun and share the
joy of running! Visit
www.facebook.com/groups/rvrunnersnb FMI
