Preparations are under way for the Maine-Quebec Winter Carnival Caravan, slated for the weekend of Feb. 14-16 — just in time for that special Valentine getaway.
“Picture yourself driving along a snow-covered road in the warmth of your own vehicle, surrounded by old and new friends on a trip to the world’s largest winter carnival. Along the way you are apt to see a variety of wildlife as well as huge trucks transporting product form deep in the north Maine woods,” said Sarah Brooks, event co-organizer.
The Maine-Quebec Caravan’s history goes back to 1957 when a group of Aroostook County people departed in early February to “blaze a road” through the woods to Quebec. The date coincided with the Quebec Carnival, which had started just three years earlier.
“Twenty or so travelers were in the first group that undertook the trek, which followed the American Realty Road to Clayton Lake. From there, the roads were nothing more than skidder trails. The caravan was outfitted with emergency gear and some support vehicles including a Sno-Cat snowmobile. Part of the route was over newly bulldozed roads. Over the next few years, the caravan became an annual event that at one point saw close to 200 participants,” said Brooks.
She said caravans in the 1950s and ‘60s were met with police escorts and participants were traditionally guests of the city of Quebec Winter Carnival.
“Past accounts indicate that these caravan trips have provided many adventures. The 1959 event had 92 people and 32 vehicles. Due to storms and impassable roads, only two cars initially made it to Quebec City. Other vehicles arrived the next day,” Brooks said.
Along the way she said caravan members came upon a family from Quebec whose car had been marooned in the fierce storm.
“The driver was found unconscious, draped over a guardrail in minus 26 degree weather. From all accounts that can be found, it appears the driver survived,” she said.
In 1960, the first bag of mail delivered to Clayton Lake via the Realty Road was taken by the caravan. Prior to this, mail had been delivered through Canada, noted Brooks.
“The caravan was originally organized by the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2002, the Ashland Rotary Club undertook the re-establishment. Northern Maine Community College helped with the 50th anniversary trip. This year it seems appropriate that the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce — which serves Ashland, Portage, Masardis and Oxbow, along with nine other communities — will be gathering registration information,” she said.
The caravan will begin this year with a buffet breakfast at Dean’s Motor Lodge in Portage at 6 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. The caravan will depart there at 7 a.m. and proceed to the first stop at Maibec for the traditional coffee, doughnut and restroom break. We will proceed to St. Pamphile to cross the border into Canada,” said Theresa Fowler, CACC executive director and co-organizer of the event.
From there, the caravan will proceed to Quebec City via the Levi ferry.
“Our trail master will be outfitted with a special radio system to communicate to other traffic using these logging roads. Each vehicle in the caravan will carry a two-way radio provided by Aroostook Technologies, Inc. of Presque Isle,” Fowler said.
In addition to the need for safety, Brooks said the radios have proven to be of great entertainment value.
“Some commentaries along the way have been provided by Dr. William Forbes, Maine humorist Gary Crocker and “Survivor” winner Bob Crowley,” said Fowler.
Participants in the caravan have already received an invitation to attend a reception at the Quebec City mayor’s office and have an opportunity to tour the Quebec Legislature, in addition to all of the Quebec Winter Carnival activities that will be going on, said Fowler.
“There will be dances, sleigh rides and races, dogsled races, snow slides, snow rafting, a night parade, plus other entertainment and shows throughout the city. If you have never experienced Quebec Carnival, this is a great opportunity to have two unique experiences at once,” said Fowler.
Room reservations in Quebec are the responsibility of the participant.
“The return trip is on your own, re-entering the U.S. at a port of your own choice. It is not recommended to travel the working woods roads unless you are able to communicate with the oversized trucks that travel those roads 24 hours a day,” noted Fowler.
The registration fee is $30 per person. For more information, call the CACC at 764-6561 or email tfowler@centralaroostookchamber.com. Deadline for registering for the trip is Friday, Jan. 31.
