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WinterFest Expected to Attract Thousands

February 26, 2008 - CASCO -- The annual Maine WinterFest and Derby returns this weekend (Feb. 22, 23, 24) with three days of fishing, ice sculpting, sledding, car races, ice skating, dog-sled demonstrations and other family-oriented activities.

The ice-fishing derby began in 2001 as a fundraiser for the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Camp Sunshine, a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. It has since grown to a weekend full of winter sporting events and shows that draw as many as 7,000 fishermen and fans.

WinterFest will begin Friday with a free youth derby on Thomas Pond. At that time, ice sculptures at the Point Sebago Resort will open to the public.

One of the attractions with the elaborate ice sculptures this year is the chance to sleep in an ice castle, a prize that is being auctioned on eBay, said Barbara Clark, executive director of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday's events are geared toward families, such as ice skating, dog-sled demonstrations, miniature golf and cross-country ski races.

And, of course, the two-day ice fishing derby that will award one fisherman a pickup truck and others more than $20,000 in prizes begins Saturday.

WinterFest Director Tom Noonan said getting the thousands of ice fishermen out onto Sebago Lake via Raymond Beach, and getting spectators to the festival events at Point Sebago, is not a concern.

For the youth derby, a private field across the road from Thomas Pond will be plowed and hold as many as 500 cars, Noonan said.

Parking for festivities at Point Sebago will be controlled either at that site, or through a shuttle bus service that will take participants to parking elsewhere.

As many as 2,000 people are expected to attend Friday's youth derby; as many as 3,000 are expected for car races Friday night; and 3,000 will be coming to the festival and derby at any one time on the weekend, Noonan said.

Accommodations in Raymond, Casco and Naples were almost full this week, according to the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.

Although the event has grown significantly since its inception eight years ago, coordinators say planning has kept it from causing traffic congestion or parking problems.

"If we fill up at Point Sebago, which we have done on occasion, we'll be able to go to the shuttle bus system," said Noonan.

As the event grows, so does the money raised for charities. The most the WinterFest raised was more than $100,000, in 2005, Noonan said. Last year, it raised $82,500.

SOURCE: Portland Press Herald

DATE: 02-21-2008

Lakes: Sebago Lake, Thomas Pond
Regions: Sebago


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