Moosestompers is a success

FAMILY FUN — Valerie Brown and her daughter enjoy a dog sled ride during Moosestompers Weekend. Heywood Kennals were on hand all weekend offering rides.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    The annual Moosestompers Weekend can be termed a huge success this year.
    “The weather was made to order for every event this year,” said Lori Weston, community development director for the town of Houlton. “It was a terrific weekend.”
    Even though the Moosestompin’ Snowmobiles on Parade event was cancelled due to insufficient snow amounts, all other activities went off without a hitch.
    Participants packed the Millar Civic Center parking lot to attend hockey games, the Wild Katahdin Trust Snow run, free ice skating and games, but one of the more popular events of the weekend really drew the crowds — sliding down Derby Hill.
MARK, SET, GO — Among one of the favorite youth activities during Moosestompers Weekend is the Half Dollar Scramble. Youth were ready for the count down to start the hunt.
    “The hill was perfect for sliding — smooth and fast,” said Weston.
    Other activities that drew interest were dog sled rides, horse-drawn sleigh rides and snowmobile rides to human dog sled races, snow wiffle ball and human curling.
    “There was tons of fresh air, free-flowing hot chocolate and volunteers to help at every turn,” Weston added.
    A well-liked entity roaming around the park through the weekend was “The Moose.”
    “He reported it was a very successful “stompin” weekend,” Weston said. “The weekend drew one of the largest crowds in recent Moosestompers history.”
ENJOY RIDE — Those attending the annual Moosestompers Weekend had a chance to go for a horse-drawn sleigh ride given by Carriages of Acadia.
    Organizer Jim Brown agreed.
    “We definitely had larger crowds than normal,” he added. “Especially on Sunday.”
    Brown finds that one of the activities that brings children out is the Half Dollar Scramble.
    “It is always a favorite with the kids,” he said.
    With children standing around a marked area, Brown spreads half dollars onto the snow. When he says “go” the kids make a mad dash into the area to scoop up as many shiny coins that they can find.
    With free movies at Houlton Temple Theatre, breakfast and poker runs sponsored by Meduxnekeag Ramblers, along with suppers, a bonfire and a variety of goings-on, Moosestompers Weekend hit the mark.
    “We had many positive comments on the events and how lucky we are to have the snow and nice weather,” said Marie Carmichael, program director of the Houlton Parks and Recreation Department. “The crowd was great.”
    Carmichael helped with strapping on skis, courtesy of Maine Winter Sports Center, for those who wanted to try them out.
    “It was amazing the number of children and adults that tried the cross country skiing for the first time,” she said. “We were very fortunate that Maine Winter Sports Center allowed us to use the trailer full of everything we needed.”
    G-Force Laser Tag was an added activity on Friday night at the Gentle Memorial Building.
    “It also was a success,” said Carmichael. “The kids loved it and we had a good group of kids that participated in that night of fun. It was just a fun Moosestompers Weekend.”
DOUBLE-RUNNER FUN — This youngster enjoys speeding down Derby Hill during Moosestompers Weekend on an old-fashioned double runner sled. Derby Hill was in perfect condition to fly down.