JAY — The 4th Annual Spruce Mountain Sled-In will take place this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a new site with different organizers.
The event, sponsored by the town of Jay Recreation Committee, will be held at the French Falls Recreation Area off French Falls Lane across from Spruce Mountain High School.
Parking will be available at French Falls, the Knights of Columbus Hall and Smartworks Physical Therapy. Attendees may also ride in on their snowmobiles using the Whistle Stop Rail-Trail.
The committee hasn’t had a lot of time to plan the event, but everything is coming together. The Public Works Department has been hauling snow to the sledding area, and the Andy Valley Riders have volunteered to groom the hill, which is sponsored by Main-Land Development.
“We’ve scavenged for snow wherever we could find it,” Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere said.
LaFreniere said rides to the top of the hill won’t be available this year because of space issues.
Members of the Jay Fire Department will be in charge of the bonfire, and PalletOne is providing pallets.
The Fire Department will flood the ice rink area constructed by Tom Goding and Rick Dunton.
“Hopefully, we’ll get some colder weather next week to make it,” LaFreniere said.
Members of the Androscoggin Land Trust will again be in charge of the snowshoe races. In previous years, snowshoes have been obtained from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. This year, Regional School Unit 73 will provide them.
“It will work out great,” LaFreniere said.
The races are tentatively set for 1:30 p.m.
Jenny Boivin is organizing the snow sculpture/snowman competition, a family-friendly activity, which will be held in the softball field area. Cash prizes will be awarded.
Boivin also put together the Sled-In website and Facebook page for the event.
“She’s done a great job,” LaFreniere said.
“Verso is letting us use their 40- by 60-foot tent which eliminates a major expense,” LaFreniere said.
Many donations, received from area businesses, will be raffled off, such as an Adirondack chair made from recycled skis.
Raffle tickets for donated items and the 50/50 raffle may be purchased this week at the Jay Town Office.
Boy Scout Troop No. 199 has volunteered to help with setup and throughout the Sled-In. They will have an information booth in the tent. Members of the Andy Valley Riders snowmobile club will also be helping with setup.
Some setup will take place Friday afternoon with the rest beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
“It’s nice to have some unexpected people step up and offer to help,” LaFreniere said.
Several nonprofit groups will be selling food items, including A-T Children’s Project, Jay Elementary School, Andy Valley Riders snowmobile club and the Spruce Mountain sophomore class.
Livermore Trail Blazers will be giving rides. Jug Hill Riders will also be helping with the event.
For more information or to sign up to offer assistance, call LaFreniere at 897-6785.
pharnden@sunmediagroup.net
Tentative Schedule of Events for 4th Annual Spruce Mountain Sled-In
8 a.m. Start setup
10 a.m. Food vendors arrive
11 a.m. Kickoff
1:30 p.m. Snowshoe Races
2 p.m. Judge snow sculptures/snowmen
2:30 p.m. Announce winners, draw raffle ticket winners
3 p.m. Cleanup
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