RANGELEY — Visitors to the third annual Winterpaloozah this month can cheer on dogs pulling full kegs and empty beer cans, watch an exhibition of snow kiting, race a cardboard sled, ride a fat tire bike or snowshoe across Haley Pond.
The celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18.
Winterpaloozah, volunteer organizer Linda Dexter said, raises money for the Rangeley Skating Club, a nonprofit that makes skating free for adults and children.
Co-sponsored by the club and the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce, the event includes seven pay-to-play competitions, including cardboard sled race, Paloozah carry, frying pan toss, dog keg pull, fat tire bike race, Paloozah-thon (run, snowshoe, fat-tire bike race) and a snow sculpture contest.
To participate, contestants must purchase Paloozah Passes for a small fee, Dexter said. The $10 single pass allows participation in any or all of the seven contests. A family pass is $25 and pass-holders will get a cup of hot cocoa with their purchase.
In the Paloozah-thon, participants ages 10 and up will start at 10 a.m., unless there are enough entries to start in groups. Registration can be done online or before the events.
The snow sculpture contest entries will downtown within easy walking distance for visitors, according to Karen Ogulnik, executive director of the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce.
Visitors are encouraged to try the Olympic sport of curling, with members of the local club available to explain how the game is played. Horse-drawn wagon rides, sky kiting, snow golf, pond hockey, kick sledding, music and a marshmallow roast are among free activities during the day.
Event Schedule:
Paloozah-thon Race: 10-11 a.m. Starts at Ecopelagicon on Pond Street, near Rangeley Inn
Cardboard Sled Race: Sled Judging, 12:15-12:30 p.m.; race, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Haley Pond
Dog Keg Pull: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Town Park
Frying Pan Toss: 12:15-1:15 p.m., Town Park
Fat-Tire Bike Race: 1:30-2:30 p.m., Haley Pond
Paloozah Carry (a twist on the Wife Carry): 2:45-3:45 p.m., Haley Pond
Snow Sculpture Contest: Judging, noon-3 p.m., entries must be completed by noon.
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