MARS HILL, Maine — A fun-filled day of music, trail running, mountain biking and more is planned for Saturday, Oct. 26 from noon-8 p.m. as the first-ever Rocktoberfest is set to raise money for the Friends of Bigrock Mountain Sustainability Fund.
“As part of the Friends of Bigrock, we formed an events and fund-raising committee. At our first meeting, we kicked around a bunch of ideas, and we came up with the events that make up Rocktoberfest,” said Ryan Guerrette, operations manager at Bigrock. “We have always kicked around the idea of a fall festival at Bigrock, but we had never done anything about it.
“We wanted to have music at the event because our ‘Music in the Pub’ series was so popular last winter,” he said. “I’m very grateful to Jason Howe of Mellow Endeavor for putting together the music portion of Rocktoberfest.”
Events kick off at noon with a 5K trail walk/run across the base of Mars Hill Mountain beginning at the Bigrock Mountain base lodge, continuing to the Mars Hill Country Club and back.
“Don’t worry about how long it will take you,” said Guerrette. “Come out and enjoy the walk/run in the woods and around the country club.”
Registration is from 11-11:50 a.m. The Kiddie K begins at noon, while walkers will depart at 12:10 p.m. Runners will leave at 12:20 p.m.
There is a $20 registration fee. The first 20 to pre-register will receive a Bigrock Mountain T-shirt. To pre-register, contact Guerrette at 425-6711 or by e-mailing ryanguerrette@bigrockmaine.com.
A mountain bike race will begin at 2 p.m.
“Racers will climb up, down and across the lower levels of Bigrock Mountain on their bikes,” said Guerrette. “Racers of any level will be able to ride in this race. We will have an easier course for the little ones and something a little bit harder for the more advanced riders.”
Registration is from 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. The kids’ race starts at 2 p.m., while the adult race will begin at 2:30 p.m. There is a $20 registration fee for the mountain bike race, and the first 20 to pre-register will also receive a T-shirt.
For those who would prefer to be a little less active, a music festival is planned from 1-6 p.m. at the On the Rocks Pub.
Randy King and Emily Ramsey of Stockholm will entertain from 1-2:15 p.m., while the Bangor duo Between Dead Stations will perform from 2:45-4 p.m. The band recently won the Maine blues competition as top duo and is heading to Nashville in a few months to compete in the world championships.
Rounding out the music festival will be Mellow Endeavor, a Houlton-based band, which will play from 4:30-6 p.m.
“After you have spent a relaxing afternoon listening to music, stick around for a steak and chicken barbeque supper,” said Guerrette. “Chef Joe Trevors and his crew will be preparing a delicious meal for everyone.”
The buffet line will open at 6 p.m. and close at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 per couple. To reserve tickets, call or e-mail Guerrette or Bill Getman at 425-6711 or billgetman@skibigrock.me.
Capping off Rocktoberfest will be a silent auction located across from the ticket office. Items up for bid include Sugarloaf and Camden Snowbowl lift tickets, University of Maine Black Bear hockey and basketball tickets, tickets to a Portland Sea Dogs game, Bangor Waterfront tickets good for a concert of your choice during the summer of 2014, a Bigrock prize pack, a hot air balloon ride and more. Successful bidders will be announced at 8 p.m.
Season passes will be on sale all afternoon in the ticket office, as well.
“All the events are a great way to show your support for Bigrock Mountain,” said Guerrette. “The proceeds from all the events will go directly to fund-raising events to keep Bigrock Mountain open and sustainable.
“It will be a great time to see faces you haven’t seen since last ski season,” he said, “and it’s also a great way to enjoy a fall afternoon with your friends.”
To date, about $190,000 has been raised to support Bigrock Mountain.
