Making Can-Am possible: Volunteers - ready, set, go

FORT KENT - This year is the 20th anniversary of the Can Am Crown International Sled Dog Race, marking the 20th year that hundreds of volunteers assemble to help make the races a success.

CAN-AM CROWN 2011

"We work with whatever Mother Nature gives us to deal with," said Andre Landry, chief of the race start.

These folks start preparing Main Street at 10 p.m. on Friday night for the start at 8 a.m. the following morning and the last volunteer doesn't go home until, well, Saturday night.

The Fort Kent Public Works Department and Russell Boucher begin by laying down the snow on Main Street that makes the track for the dogs. Tony Theriault, head of the Public Works Department, is responsible for finding the best location for the whitest and most perfect snow for the track. The Fort Kent Snowriders snowmobile club donates the use of their groomer, and Mike Daigle and Craig Thibodeau make certain the track gets to where it needs to be.

"We're very fortunate to have organizations in town willing to step up to the plate and lend a hand," said Landry.

Allen Dow, Chief of the Finish, stays out all night with Landry and the rest of the team, helping to make certain the fences are set and that everything is intact. John Pelletier and his daughter Maija operate as the race marshals for the 30 and 60 mile races. Andre and Norma's daughters Kelsy and Samantha also help.

"For us, it's become a family event, which is real nice," said Landry.

"Everyone just pulls together," said Landry. "There's people who come out of the woodwork. It's mind-blowing."

The St. John Valley Technical Center sends 10 to 15 volunteers every year. Landry said the Boy Scouts hand out the programs at the start. The ATV club takes care of monitoring the side streets coming onto Main Street and areas where the dogsled track crosses a street. They also supply the tow rope to hook a sled up behind strong teams at the start in order to slow them down. Members of the University of Maine at Fort Kent basketball and soccer teams usually help at the start as well.

The Fire Department operates as security at the start, said Landry, saying that people don't stop to think that bringing a pet into an area with 1200 dogs could lead to either losing their pet or being attacked if they've got a small dog tucked into a jacket.

Peter Pinette is in charge of setting up the audio at the start so spectators can hear the race announcer.  Daigle and Houghton donate the flatbed for the announcer. Typically, Alain Ouellette or Beurmond Banville emcees the race. Mickey Levesque sets up the start poles a week prior to the event.

"It's organized chaos," Landry said. "I'm very grateful for all the people who help out."

Landry strategizes parking for the mushers and their trucks and trailers after everyone leaves around 2 or 3 a.m. on Saturday morning, before the start of the races. He patrols the newly-laid track to make sure no one drives on it, as has happened in the past.

"We're very fortunate the business and private homes [near the start area] give us carte blanche to take over parking lots, driveways, and entrances to businesses," he said.

"When I get a glimpse of people lined up and down the street, that's all it takes. Most of us are here because we love to see the people in the town."

Many of the volunteers at the start also have additional jobs during the races, such as Mike Daigle, who is the checkpoint coordinator, and Andrew Marquis, who is in charge of the dropped dogs.

After the race start, Lance Morin dismantles the setup.

"He does a fantastic job of picking up," said Landry.

The local sponsors help to give the organizing committee "the extra kick in the ass to make it as perfect as they can", said Landry.

"It all just falls together," he said.