AUBURN — The third and final day of the Auburn Winter Festival wrapped up Sunday with ice skating, skiing, snowshoeing and more fun than you can shake a cup of cocoa at.
Despite, well, winter getting in the way with blustery skies and 11-degree temperatures, people still made their way out for the day of free — or nearly free — winter entertainment across venues such as Mt. Appetite, Central Maine Community College, Lost Valley and Norway Savings Bank Arena.
Alexis Caron of Auburn was at CMCC with her daughter, Izzahbella, to play and sled on a mountainous snow playground.
“That is so fun,” Izzahbella shouted after taking a tumble down the steep side of one of the large snow hills. One hill had a large, plastic culvert running through it for a slide, another had one set up as a tunnel through the mountain.
Alexis looked on as Izzahbella took a run down the frozen slide. “I think I’ve had enough snow, but it’s Maine,” she said while bracing against the sideways-blowing, pellet-like snow.
With yet another Sunday into Monday storm, Izzahbella is feeling pretty good about the prospect of yet another snow day but her mother said she’s aware of the reality.
“She likes the snow days and then she’s like ‘this is really cutting into my summer’ — so she knows there’s repercussions of the snow days.”
Lewiston School Superintendent Bill Webster isn’t ready to call things off yet despite reports of a possible 10 to 15 inches of fresh snow before it’s all over.
“I expect to make any decision on a snow day Monday around 5 a.m.,” Webster tweeted. “Snow fall is steady but light — much will depend on word from Public Works.”
Webster followed with, “In the future, I would like to see all our schools air-conditioned and perhaps, we can just swap Jan. 15 to Feb.15 for a month of school in July!”
On the next snow hill, Leslie Morrill of Auburn played with her 6-year-old grandson, Presley Beauchesne.
“We tried to get here yesterday but we just didn’t make it, so we figured we’ve got to do it today regardless of the cold,” Morrill said. “It’s snowing a little harder today than I thought it was going to.
“We were going to do the skiing yesterday; we ended up going to the movies,” she said. “It was just a little cold and we were a little tired but we usually do it all; it’s lots of fun.
“The free skiing at Lost Valley, that was awesome,” Morrill said. “I know tons of kids went to that — that was a wonderful opportunity — open it up for kids that never get a chance to ski. … Plus they had the sliding, the bon fire — it’s really neat.”
Lost Valley owner Connie King couldn’t agree more.
“Winter Fest has been a wonderful success,” King said. “Mother Nature was on our side this year.
“The community came out and enjoyed all the Festivities,” she said. “It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces.”
According to King, Lost Valley had a record number of kids for the children’s obstacle course on Saturday afternoon.
“At night, the Ski Free Saturday sponsored by Camden National Bank brought out an amazing amount of people — some who have never skied before and some back after many years,” King said.
“Kids enjoyed the Bonfire and kiddie sledding and everyone enjoyed the torch light paradise,” she said. “Fun was had by all!”
Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte was grateful for the many businesses and organizations that helped make this year such a success.
“What makes Auburn’s Winter Festival so great is that it’s made possible through the help of so many partners,” LaBonte said.
“While the city may support coordination, Lost Valley, Lake Auburn’s neighborhood group, LA Trails, snowmobile clubs and so many other step up to host events that celebrate how they enjoy the winter season,” he said.
“And of course, Mother Nature has done her part by offering continuous snow for the last couple weeks,” LaBonte said.
dmcintire@sunjournal.com
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