JAY — The Recreation Committee is planning the Spruce Mountain Sled-In and Winter Family Festival on Saturday, Feb. 13, at the French Falls Recreation Area.
The committee got the initial go-ahead last week from selectpersons.
Members will hold their first coordination meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Town Office. The committee is hoping people interested in helping will attend.
Those interested but who can’t attend may contact Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere at 897-6785 or by email at jmanager@jay-maine.org.
The sled-in had been organized in the past by representatives of the Livermore Falls Downtown Betterment Group at the Livermore Falls Recreation Field but the organization disbanded last year.
“We realize this is a short time frame, but I am confident that we can make it happen and continue the great event,” LaFreniere said in an email Monday to people on her email list.
Bob Berry, who is a former member president of the Betterment Group and was involved in organizing the sled-in, is on the Jay Recreation Committee. He is not interested in running the event again, Jay selectpersons Chairman Justin Merrill said on Jan. 11, but has shared his documents related to organizing the event. Merrill is also on the Recreation Committee.
Berry is also willing to map out the 10 acres so they will know where each event would fit at French Falls, LaFreniere said. The town leases the property for $1 a year from the Androscoggin Land Trust.
It would be sad to let the event die, LaFreniere told selectpersons.
It looks like the committee could divide up some of the different activities to organize, she said. LaFreniere said Berry’s documents are very detailed.
It is estimated that $2,000 would be adequate to cover the sled-in and festival. A lot of people have donated to the event in previous years.
In the past there was a raffle and the proceeds had gone to the three area snowmobile clubs: Andy Valley Riders Snowmobile Club in Jay, Jug Hill Riders Snowmobile Club in Livermore Falls and the Livermore Trail Blazers Club in Livermore.
LaFreniere said it may be too late to get raffle prizes.
She planned to ask the Public Works Department to dump snow at French Falls to make some hills. Recreation Committee member Randy Easter has indicated he would be able to pack the snow, she said.
She also asked fire rescue Chief Mike Booker if he could make sure the bonfire area would be set up properly.
Members of the Recreation Committee and additional volunteers participated in a work day at French Falls in October and members did some extra work on the grounds after that, Merrill said.
“I just think it is a way to get people to town,” he said.
It is a shame to have all these trails and not have people using them, he said.
The town has a host of trails, including snowshoeing, snowmobile and cross-country skiing trails in the area.
“I think we should support it,” board Vice Chairman Tim DeMillo said. Other board members also voiced support for the committee to hold the event.
dperry@sunmediagroup.net
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