Kicking off the monthlong Snowfest 2006 will be the second annual 100-mile Wilderness Dogsled Race from Greenville to Brownville. Open to 25 teams, the Feb. 11 event is a chance for participants to hone their racing skills.

"It's a good way for mushers to challenge themselves and their dogs," event organizer Cheri Goodspeed of Greenville said Sunday. A $5,000 purse donated by Plum Creek is an added bonus.

Goodspeed said the region is enthusiastic about the dogsled race and Snowfest, and there is no shortage of volunteers. The dogsled race could not occur without the cooperation of the private landowners in the region and the volunteers from Greenville to Brownville including town officials, the warden service, county and local police, ham radio operators and snowmobilers who help lay the trail, she said.

"It's going to be a huge event, and we're all excited about it," Goodspeed said.

On the same day as the dogsled race, Garrett and Alexandra Conover of Willimantic are expected to finish their Winter Walk 2006, a 200-mile snowshoe trek from Allagash Village.

A Winter Walk mukluk contradance will be held 7-10 p.m. at the Ready Workers Community Building. In addition, the Appalachian Mountain Club will host a series of outdoor clinics starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Beaver Cove town hall.

Events scheduled throughout the month of February include a fishing derby in which the winner will receive 100 gallons of heating oil; public meals; a family fun day at the Moosehead Riders Snowmobile Club; ice racing on West Cove; a snowmobile parade and bonfire; the annual Moosehead Lake Chamber of Commerce chocolate festival; and a skating party.

The dogsled race will begin at 9 a.m. from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife headquarters. A race program is available that includes a map where the mushers can be viewed along the trail.

"It's just having a great time in the Maine woods and taking advantage of what the area has to offer," Goodspeed said of the activities.

For more information about these events, check the Greenville's Web site.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Monday, January 23, 2006 edition of the Bangor Daily NEWS and is used here with permission."