Maine-Quebec Winter Carnival caravan registration deadline approaching

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AROOSTOOK COUNTY - February 2013 marks the 56th anniversary of the first caravan that left Ashland Maine and traveled west to the Canadian border and onward to Quebec City for their Winter Carnival. The purpose of the first caravan was to have a road through the Maine woods that would connect Northern Maine with Quebec. This undertaking was done by area businessmen and Chambers of Commerce who wanted to have a viable route west, especially for the woods/lumber industry. 

Opening ceremonies for the Winter Carnival, courtesy of gocanada.about.com

The first caravan in the winter of 1957 had a crew of adventurers, including support vehicles such as fuel trucks, emergency vehicles, support with communications from Loring, law enforcement, news reporters and photographers. The team bulldozed and cut out part of the route with chainsaws. The route was from Ashland, to the American Realty Road, to Clear Lake, Churchill Lake and Clayton Lake, then to the border crossing at Daaquam. The 1959 caravan had 32 cars and 92 participants. Many vehicles did not make it all the way through. It was declared rough going due to the terrain and weather. The trips that continued through the rest of the 50’s and into the 60’s saw up to 220 participants and many adventures: The first mail delivered to Clayton Lake via Maine was delivered by the caravan in 1960. Members of the caravan rescued a Quebec family stranded in a snowstorm. The State of Maine had an official Maine Day as part of Quebec’s festivities. Thus, the relationship with Quebec City and their winter carnival was established with the future trips made through the Maine woods. 

Governor John H. Reed signed a bill to authorize a survey and plans for establishing a route through the Maine woods. The route became much better over the years as is evidenced by today’s roads to Ste. Pamphile. 

In the early 2000’s the Ashland Rotary Club, with assistance from NMCC, re-established the caravan, which the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce in Presque Isle is now coordinating. 

The recent trips have also seen interesting events: A couple married on Clayton Lake in 2004. Dr. William Forbes from UMPI presented a geological narration about the land between Ashland and the St. Lawrence. Humorist Gary Crocker and Survivor winner Bob Crowley provided comic entertainment one year. A Maine Legislative Proclamation recognized the 50th Anniversary of the caravan and presented it in chambers at City Hall in Quebec City; members of the Paradis Family from Frenchville were present to honor the efforts that their grandfather had made operating a bulldozer to clear the road for the original caravan.  

The 56th Anniversary Caravan will be leaving Dean’s Hotel in Portage at 7 a.m. on the morning of Friday, Feb. 15 after a send-off breakfast. Trailmaster Jim Dumond will lead the caravan through the Fish Lake Road to a mid-morning stop at Maibec then on to the Canadian border at Ste. Pamphile. All vehicles will be equipped with radio communications provided by Aroostook Communications in order to assist with the safe passage on the logging roads. From Ste. Pamphile, the caravan continues to the Trans-Canada then to the ferry crossing at Levis and onward into Quebec City. The participants make their own hotel reservations and the return trip is on their own. A tour of the Quebec Parliament is scheduled for that afternoon and a reception at City Hall with representatives from the Mayor’s office, Winter Carnival officials, including the President of the Winter Carnival and Bonhomme Carnival himself will be held on Saturday morning, Feb, 16. The rest of the weekend is for the enjoyment of the Winter Carnival. 

For information on registering for the Caravan contact the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce 764-6561 or Sarah Brooks at 551-6471. A $30.00/person registration fee includes the Official Effigy for the Carnival which is the admittance to the Carnival activities and a history book of the caravan. You can also download a registration form by visiting us on Facebook under Maine-Quebec Winter Carnival.