
CARIBOU, Maine — Members of the Aroostook Roller Derby will raise funds with a dance at the Caribou VFW Hall this Saturday, Feb. 24, from 7 p.m. to midnight. The event will feature local musicians French Toast as well as door prizes.
Roller Derby Coach Jay Olson said this is the first time they have hosted a dance, and he expects it to be a good time.
“We’re trying to feel it out and see how it works,” he said. “If it works out well we might do it again.”
The inspiration for the event, according to Olson, came from a couple of women on the team whose spouses play in the band.
The dance will feature a cash bar and is for those 21 and over.
“If someone doesn’t want to drink, but still wants to be there, they can come and have a good time,” Olson said, “and meet all the roller derby girls.”
Proceeds will go toward travel expenses, as well as reserving the “Pavillion Sportif” building in Edmundston, New Brunswick, for an upcoming bout on March 17.
While the Aroostook Roller Derby has added some new members, Olson said they are always looking for new recruits.
Anyone interested in joining derby can message the group’s Facebook page, or send an email to aroostookrollerderby@gmail.com. Olson said the Facebook page, facebook.com/AroostookRollerDerby/, is the best way to contact them, as board officers all monitor incoming messages.
“Get ahold of us on that page,” he said, “and we’ll go from there. Or if you know a player or coach, you can contact them about joining, too.”
Tickets for the event are $8 ($10 Canadian), and can be purchased from any team member or at the Caribou One Stop, Sports Inn, Hair and Beyond in Presque Isle, or any Dead River Oil office.
- Lead jammer Barracuda Barbie (bottom left), of the Aroostook Roller Derby team BiohazARDs, busts through a pack of blockers from Central Maine Derby’s Northwood Knockouts, while Flash Drive (pictured on the right) a jam referee for the Northwood Knockouts, points and blows his whistle. (Christopher Bouchard)
- Crazy J, a jammer for Aroostook Roller Derby’s BiohazARDs, center in purple, is temporarily hindered by a pivot blocker from Central Maine Derby’s Northwood Knockouts, as she skates for the lead. (Christopher Bouchard)