Muskie Derby and the Ploye Fest mark a great summer

FORT KENT - This weekend in Fort Kent is going to be huge.

There is no other way to describe it.  The number of things to see and do could keep some people busy for 24 hours each day.

Welcome to Muskie Central and the Land of Ployes.  This weekend, Fort Kent celebrates the delicious ploye and the enormous muskellunge fish at the Ploye Festival and International Muskie Derby.

It all starts in the early-early morning hours of Friday.  The Fort Kent International Muskie Derby officially begins at 12:01 a.m.

In fishing spots all across the region, whether it is well-known places along the St. John River or secretive spots in some of the lakes and streams, anglers will check their watches and plunk a line into the water hoping to catch that elusive monster fish, the muskellunge.  Organizers say there are fishing spots from Bow Lake to way past Van Buren.

The contest ends at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

In past competitions, fishermen and women have brought in fish that exceed 42 inches and weigh more than 20 pounds.  The muskie have gotten so large in the past that organizers are encouraging people to only bring in fish that are longer than 36 inches.

Organizers are hoping someone will catch a fish that will make a new state record.

This year the Muskie Derby Planning Committee created flags for the businesses that donated $100 or more to the event.  As of last week, the committee had $6,850 in donations.

Committee Member Dennis Cyr said, "Our list is growing, which worked out well."

One small crisis developed at the committee meeting last week.  It seems that no one remembers where to find the iconic bell that officials ring when a contestant brings in a fish to the weigh station at BeeJay's.

Cyr brought it up to the committee at their last meeting, and everyone shook their heads or shrugged their shoulders.

Cyr said, "I looked in the storage shed.  I was hoping it was in BeeJay's."

Bar owner Darlene Kelly-Dumond said she hadn't seen it since last year.  "I'll go look again," she said.

With a purse worth as much as $35,000, this year's derby looks to be the biggest one in the seven years the derby has existed.

Each day, contestants can also compete for $100 bonus for the biggest fish for that day.  There is also a $500 prize to the person who travelled the furthest and caught a muskie.

The winner of the derby, based on the length of the fish, will receive $2000.  Second and third place prizes are $1500 and $1000 respectively.

Contestants can also by a $5 ticket for the $25,000 draw contest that Quigley's is sponsoring.

The fishing will take place on the St. John River upstream from Grand Falls. The branches and tributaries will include the Big Black River, St Francis River, Little Black River, Allagash River to Allagash Falls and Depot Stream. Locations also include Glazier Lake, Beau Lake and Baker Lake.

Contestants must be present to claim a prize.

Registration takes place at the Fort Kent Town office until Thursday evening, and then registration is at BeeJay's on Main Street.

The derby is also providing a fireworks show on Saturday evening.  Some of the best viewing for the fireworks is at the Northern Maine Medical Center.

Along with the muskie derby, visitors, family and friends will also enjoy the annual Ploye Festival.

This festival, celebrating the ubiquitous buckwheat pancake, includes many activities.

On all three days there will be a craft fair located across from the Swamp Buck.

On Friday, brave souls with empty stomachs can test their mettle at the Ploye Eating Contest at Rock's Family Diner at 5:30.

At 6:30, check out the World's Largest Ploye, which the members of the Bouchard Family Farm will cook up on a giant griddle on Main Street.

Beginning at 9 p.m., everyone should head over to West Main Street for a street dance that will go far into the night.

On Saturday, anglers and friends can catch a hearty meal at the Fisherman's Breakfast at Rock's Family Diner.

From 9 a.m to 12, head over to Riverside Park for the first-ever Mini Tractor and ATV pull.

At 12, Dr. John Bouchard is coordinating the Northern Maine Antique Tractor Club Tractor Pulls.

From 2-3 p.m., the littlest fair-goers can enjoy games, stories, and fun at the Little Muskie Fun Station next to Sears.

At 3 p.m. music starts up at the outdoor stage at BeeJay's, featuring talented local musicians.

Sometime after dusk, fireworks will light up the skies above Fort Kent for all to enjoy.

At 9 p.m., take pleasure in the second street dance on West Main Street.

Sunday starts off with some aerobics as the Tour de la Vallee gets underway at 8 a.m. at the Northern Maine Medical Center.

At the same time, the Youth Voices 10k/5k road race starts at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.

The weigh station closes at 5 p.m. on Sunday and the Closing Awards Ceremony begins at 7 p.m.