Winter in Houlton Maine in the heart of Aroostook County is long and cold. But, the first weekend in February, the 5th – 7th, Houlton is a hot and happening place with the sixth annual Moosestompers Weekend offering a huge variety of indoor and outdoor events for which the entire town turns out to participate in.
On Friday night Snowmobiles on Parade kicks off at 7:00pm at the Community Park, dozens of decorated sleds ride through town; after the parade join in the fun at the bonfire at the park. Throughout the weekend at the Community Park there is outdoor skating with hot chocolate served up by the Houlton Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.
Registration starts at 6:00am on Saturday for the ice fishing derby competition where you can fish on several of the area’s frozen lakes. The derby ends on Sunday with final weigh-ins.
A good chance to load up on calories for the outdoor activities is at the Meducnekeag Ramblers Breakfast from 6am to 10 am on Saturday. Stoke up on homemade ham, baked beans, eggs, bacon, donuts and muffins before you hit the bracing cold air and board your snowmobile or sled for the Poker Run. Groomed trails take you through the beautiful scenery. Proceeds from the breakfast go to keeping the trails in tiptop condition.
If you don’t have a snowmobile bring your sled, toboggan or a cardboard box for a slide down Giant Hill which will be open all weekend for sledding.
Get warm in the afternoon by paying a visit to the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum where you will learn the history of farming in the County. Stay for the baked bean supper with homemade baked beans, ham, and desserts. Ticket proceeds benefit the museum’s ongoing projects.
If you prefer to stay outdoors there’s the 5K Run Wild Katahdin Trust Snow Run which starts and finishes at the Miller Civic Center.
Satisfy your hunger at any one of the concessions at Community Park offering homemade foods by the Houlton Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.
Saturday and Sunday admission to a family movie is free at the Temple Theater. Or, take a free cross country ski lesson offered at Community Park by the Maine Winter Sports Center cross country ski clinic.
Top off your day at the Moosestompers Ball where you can work off the caloric meals you devoured by dancing the night away at the Lounge Downunder.
On Sunday you can choose from a Bantams hockey game or free skating at the Civic Center, G-Force Laser Tag at the high school, sledding at Giant Hill, or a performance by entertainer Rick Charette and the Bubblegum Band in the high school auditorium.
Further information
Moosestompers Weekend, February 5th – 7th www.moosestompers.com
Maine Office of Tourism www.visitmaine.com
Comments
Interesting - I've never been to Houlton, but it's at the very top of I-95, so it's been a definite goal to visit there. Now I have another reason.
Sounds like a great way to spend the weekend -- I had to look Houlton up on the map!
Is this the same Stan that's the guru of I-95? As in the Drive I-95 guidebook and www.drivei95.com? If so, you definitely need to go to Houlton!
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