Maine’s winter has been remarkably warm and snow not so deep. Anything but plentiful.

Which is hard on the industries that need snow for the lubrication. The traction to do what they do. Maine snow sled trails and ski area depend on a healthy amount of the white stuff. Winter not quite the same in Maine without new fresh white snow to sugar coat the landscape.

So what is happening ahead in my neck of the woods, in Northern Maine?

Well frankly, lots going on around Vacationland.

Maine basketball and hockey high school teams getting closer to the tournament time. Tat all the locals follow and love so much.

Hoping their team goes on to represent the small Maine town in the Eastern, Western and eventual State of Maine finals.

In Maine, you also can take in the International Biathlon Union World Cup Series.

We’ve covered the event before but you may be new to the blog posts about Maine. More from a  past World Cup images, biathlon video.

Here is another sample of the Northern Maine event, this time the women’s World Cup Biathlon video.

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A little to the south of Presque Isle, Maine where part of the World cup is held, there is a yearly celebration of winter in Aroostook County. Started first in Limestone Maine when Loring Air Force Base was open and the home of B-52’s and K-135 refueler big silver birds.

“The Moose Is Loose” tradition moved to Southern Aroostook County. The Shiretown hosts the winter celebration the first weekend of every February. Here is the list of events, the schedule  for this year’s Moosestompers.

20TH ANNUAL MOOSESTOMPERS WEEKEND
FEBRUARY 5TH-7TH, 2016

FRIDAY Events, Feb 5TH, 2016

Snow Creation Contest – Judging 1:00pm – to participate call the Rec Department to register at 532-1310
Public Supper – 5:00pm-7:00pm – Court Street Baptist Church – featuring spaghetti, salad, garlic bread & dessert – $8 adults, $4 children, Free for ages 6 and under – Free Hot Cocoa to go – Benefits “World Fellowship Offering”
Slide Under The Lights – 5:00pm-9:00pm – Derby Hill will be lighted for some nighttime sliding
Hogan Tire Skate Time – 6:00pm-9:00pm – Free Public Skating at John Millar Civic Center sponsored by Hogan Tire – includes free skate rentals – prizes for the kids – concessions will be available
Snowmobile Light Parade – 6:30pm – The return of this parade for snowmobiles around the streets of Houlton – starts and ends at Community Park (weather permitting)
FIREWORKS – 7:15pm – Community Park – See fireworks light the winter sky and reflect off the snow – FREE
Nighttime Headlamp Snowshoe Hike – 9:00pm – Military Street Baptist Church – Bring a head lamp!

SATURDAY Events, FEB 6TH, 2016

Meduxnekeag Ramblers Breakfast – 6:00am-10:00am – Full breakfast at the clubhouse – $7 for adults, $2 for children under 12
Moosestompers Poker Run – 9:00am-2:00pm – Sponsored by Meduxnekeag Ramblers – $7 per had or 2 hands for $10 – Bonus card for those participating in the Snowmobile Light Parade – Cash Prizes
Moosestompers Ice Fishing Derby – Registration 6:00am at Peg’s Place, Linneus – Over $1,500 in prizes
Pee Wee Basketball Games – 8:30am-1:00pm – Gentle Memorial Building
Giant Sliding Hill – 9:00am – Sliding on Derby Hill begins
Pee Wee Hockey vs Grand Falls – 10:15am – John Millar Civic Center
Cardboard Box Contest – Judging 11:00am – Kids can create Cardboard Box vehicles to use on the Sliding Hill and in the Sliding Race
LP Safety Table – 10:00am-3:00pm – In Exhibit Hall with free hand warmers, free coffee and giveaways

Moosestompers Contests – Times TBA – Human Dog Sled Races, Human Curling, Snow Shoe Races & More
32nd Annual 5K Wild Katahdin Trust Snow Run – 10:45am – The 2-mile walk begins at 10:45 followed by the running race at 11:00am – Prizes
Concessions – 11:00am-2:00pm – The Houlton Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will have sandwiches, hot dogs and treats available in the Exhibit Hall
Sleigh Rides/Hay Rides – 11:00am-2:00pm – free rides on a horse drawn sleigh or a hayride pulled by a tractor
Sawdust Prize Search – 11:30am
8th Annual Sliding Race – 12:00pm-1:00pm – Derby Hill
Antique & Vintage Snowmobile Display – 12:00pm-2:00pm – Prizes in 5 categories
Maine Winter Sports Center Cross Country Skiing – 12:00pm-3:00pm – ON LOAN FOR FREE skis, poles & boots provided by MWSC
3rd Annual Snow Dance – 1:00pm – dancing to the song “Happy” – to be recorded & aired on YouTube

Half Dollar Scramble For Kids – 1:00pm (immediately following the Snow Dance)
Free Public Skating – 2:00pm-4:00pm – John Millar Civic Center
Bonfire – 2:00pm
Men’s League Basketball Event – 3:30pm – Gentle Memorial Building
Free U18 Stick Time – 4:30pm-5:30pm – John Millar Civic Center
Public Supper – 4:30pm-5:30pm – Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum – cost is by donation – Valentine’s Dessert Auction – all proceeds to benefit the Greater Houlton Christian Academy
Moosestompers Ball – 9:30pm-12:30am (cover charge after 7:30pm) live music with Wally & the Virginian – Downunder Sports Pub

SUNDAY Events, FEB 7TH, 2016

Giant Sliding Hill Reopens – 11:00am – Derby Hill
Snow Sled Rides – 12:00noon
Kids Snowmobile Race – 12:30pm – timed event for sleds 120cc’s or smaller and ages 4-10
Free Public Skating – 2:00pm-4:00pm – John Millar Civic Center
Stick Time – 4:00pm-5:00pm – John Millar Civic Center

And one more local event, the Taste of Winter, the 3rd annual installment. It is February 5th, 6-9 PM in Houlton Maine at the County Co Op and Feed Store.

Video for last year’s Taste Of Winter. One scrumptious meal spread of locally sourced, from close to home. A real farm to table food of varieties served up by your new friends and neighbors.

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Winter in Maine.

We have no polar bears, no igloos except the home made forts, snow tunnels in the backyard neighborhood kid ones. The forts and snowmen soldiers made with a little sticky snow, a bucket. Shapes and “mortared” into place to defend the property.

Come sample ME in winter, any of the other three seasons. You will not be disappointed.  Come meet the warm and friendly people of Maine. The good luck staying away for very long.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com | 

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730