CanAm Crown celebrates 20

ST. JOHN VALLEY - Organizers for the Can-Am Crown Sled Dog Race are planning a slew of activities this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the popular event.

- Julie Daigle image

It was two decades ago that the first nine mushers ever to compete in the race took off from the athletic field behind the Fort Kent Community High School into a raging snowstorm for the $10,000 purse which organizers raised solely through community donations.  Since then, the race has grown and developed into a major event that draws sponsors sled dog teams from thousands of miles away and garners attention across the North American continent.

Checkpoint Coordinator and Race Treasurer Norma Landry points to the community and volunteers for the race's success, and she said much of the anniversary celebration is aimed to thank and recognize their contributions.  She said, "Without all the support this community gives us, whether it's money or volunteers, there's no race."

To celebrate this rich heritage, Landry said they are pulling out all the stops to bring a variety of events for folks to enjoy.

On Feb. 11, twenty days before the March 3 race, the Can-Am Crown will host a wine and cheese social at Nowland Hall on the University of Maine at Fort Kent campus.  Tickets are $20 and include a commemorative wine glass.  The event runs from 7-9 p.m.

On the Friday, March 9, the Fort Kent Rotary Club brings the community and mushers together at the Lonesome Pine Trails for a Meet the Mushers event.  This year, the Lions Club Band (a.k.a Boomer-Ang) will play.

After the race, even more events are occurring.  Landry said, "We're not done once the mushers are down Main Street.  We're far from done."

With the ribbon of snow that workers spread  down Main Street the night before for the starting track just sitting there, plans are in the works for an antique snowmobile parade to entertain the thousands of people who will be out that day.

During the weekend, the Fort Kent Knights of Columbus is putting on an ice fishing derby.

There is also a coloring and art contest for grades pre k-12.  The artists will be able to display their artwork at the banquet after the race.  Landry said, "All we're asking is for their imagination and that it has something to do with Can-Am."  Also, the Northern Maine Quilters have their Can-Am quilt for raffling.

There will be souvenirs such as patches, stickers and totes.

Landry said there are a few reasons for the celebration, but one reason outshines all the others.  She said, "A big thing is the pride.  We've been working on this for 20 years and making it better.  We're just honking our horns."