In this edition: 1) Paddle Mattawamkeag Lake in Island Falls. 2) Run around the mountain in Mars Hill. 3) Run a 5k cross country race to honor support fallen veterans in Houlton. Plus lots more!
Events:
Saturday, August 10
ISLAND FALLS: Island Falls Lakes Association SummerFest Paddle on Mattawamkeag. 10:00 a.m. at the Fish and Game dock (off of US Route 2), paddle to the IFLA private islands, and tour around. Enjoy the beauty and explore the untouched nature of this spectacular lake. Following the adventure on the water, we will have a picnic at the Fish and Game club. Visit www.islandfallslakesassociation.com FMI
CARIBOU: Professor Kevin McCartney: Rocks and Fossils of the Nylander. 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Nylander Museum, 657 Main St. Let’s really rock the museum! Hear Kevin McCartney share his knowledge of everything geologic in Aroostook County. Contact the Nylander Museum (207-493-4209) FMI
Sunday, August 11
MARS HILL: Big Run Around the Mountain Half Marathon. 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Bigrock Mountain, 37 Graves Rd. Run around the mountain as part of the ACI & Central Aroostook Homecoming Weekend. The course takes you near the windmills, around the mountain on both paved road and dirt roads. Cost: $25; includes race t-shirt, finisher medal. Visit www.runreg.com/bigrun-around-the-mountain-12-marathon FMI
HOULTON: SFC Aaron Henderson Memorial 5k Run/Walk. Cross country style race; may be muddy, contain rough terrain, tree roots, small river bed crossing. Registration: 10:30 a.m. at Houlton Community Park, 94 Randall Ave. Run/Walk start: 12:00 p.m. Cost: $20/person; t-shirt to first 50 registrants. All proceeds to Green Beret Foundation. Visit www.runsignup.com/Race/ME/Houlton/AaronHendersonMemorial5K FMI
Saturday, August 17
PRESQUE ISLE: Presque Isle Youth Hockey Hooked on Hockey 5k and Kids’ 1-mile Fun Run. Hosted by CompetitorME. Registration, pre-registration bib pick up: 7:30 a.m. at Mantle Lake Park. Kids’ 1-mile Fun Run start: 8:30 a.m. 5k start: 9:00 a.m. Cost: $5 race fee + $2 sign-up fee/person. First 50 registrants are guaranteed event shirts. Visit www.runsignup.com/Race/Events/ME/PresqueIsle/HookedOnHockey5K FMI
MADAWASKA: Madawaska Athletic Boosters 5k Color Run. Registration: 7:30 a.m. at Madawaska Multi-purpose Center, 160 7th Ave. Race start: 8:30 a.m. prizes for top 3 Adult (17+) and top 3 Student (under 16) male and female finishers. Cost: Donation. Contact Madawaska Rec (207-728-3604) FMI
PORTAGE LAKE: Historical Society Canoe Carry, Portage Lake. 6:00 p.m. at Dean’s Motor Lodge. Join in on this historical re-enactment of the traditional portage from Little Machias Lake to Portage Lake. Contact Jim Dumond (207-227-1864) FMI
Sunday, August 18
FORT KENT: 28th Annual Tour de la Vallée. Bring family, friends on a challenging grand tour of the St. John Valley. Bike 25, 50, 62, or 100 miles, mountain bike 35 miles, or walk/run 3k, 5k, or 10k. Fully supported; rest stops, medical, mechanical. Cost: $30/individual, $60/family; individuals must raise $100 in pledges. Supports local cancer patients, families. Visit www.paradiscancerfund.org/tour-de-la-vallee FMI
Friday, August 23
CARIBOU: CHS Alumni and Community XC Race. Distance: 2.75 miles. Race as an individual or as a team. Runners start according to age; each category starting one minute apart so everyone has a chance to win. Cost: FREE. Registration: 6:30 p.m. at CHS Ski Building, 308 Sweden St. Race start: 7:45 p.m. Contact Roy Alden (207-498-3563) or ralden@rsu39.org FMI
Saturday, August 31
SHERMAN: Sherman Old Home Days Celebration of Life Cancer Walk. Registration: 9:00 a.m. at the Bandstand. Walk start: 9:30 a.m. Monday: Maine’s only “twice around” parade, 10:00 a.m. Contact Allison Roy (207-557-4365) or Steven Lane (207-365-4311) FMI
Monday, September 2
CARIBOU: Viking Run. Kids’ running races on the Caribou High School track; various distances according to age group. Registration: 8:00 a.m. Race start: 9:00 a.m. Contact Roy Alden (207-498-3563) or ralden@rsu39.org FMI
CARIBOU: Labor Day Road Race. 5k walk start: 10:30 a.m. 8k run start: 11:00 a.m. Meet at Caribou High School Ski Building. Contact Chris Smith (207-768-9472) or christopher.smith@umpi.edu FMI
Saturday, September 7
FORT KENT: UM5K Summer Fun Run. Registration: 8:00 a.m. at UMFK Sports Center, School Street. Run start: 9:00 a.m. Cost: $20/person. Contact Fletcher Brown (207-834-7546) or fletcher.f.brown@maine.edu FMI
PRESQUE ISLE: AR Gould Colors of Courage 5k/10k Run/Walk. Celebrate, support cancer survivors! Registration: 8:30 a.m. at TAMC, 140 Academy St. Events start: 9:30 a.m. Cost: $25/adult, $15/youth (ages 8-17), FREE/Kids’ Fun Run. Visit www.northernlighthealth.org/Locations/Foundation/Events-and-Programs/2019/September/AR-Gould-Hospital-Colors-of-Courage-5K-10K-and-Kid FMI
FORT KENT: St. John Valley Out of the Darkness Walk. Walk in memory or support of those who have lost someone to suicide. Suicide can be prevented. Join the movement! Registration: 9:00 a.m. at Fort Kent Lions’ Pavilion, River St. Walk start: 10:00 a.m. Proceeds go to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to help raise awareness, provide education and support to survivors of suicide loss, etc. Visit www.afsp.org FMI
Ongoing Programs:
EASTON: Francis Malcolm Science Center Walk-in Tours. Weekdays; 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Experience our planetarium’s full-dome, digital projection system, featuring a 30-minute activity; 15 minutes in the star theater, 15 minutes to visit the facility at large. Cost: $5/visitor; reservations requested. Contact FMSC (207-488-5451) FMI
PRESQUE ISLE: Bike Board & Ski Group Mountain Bike Ride. Mondays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center Welcome Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. Year-round, conditions permitting. All abilities, no-drop ride. 7-10 miles; 6-8 mph avg. Focus on technical riding skills, group riding, having fun. Contact Tom Chasse (207-694-5222) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI
CARIBOU: Bike Board & Ski Group Road Bike Ride. Tuesdays; 5:30 p.m. at SW Collins, 6 Washburn St. All abilities welcome; multiple groups/routes depending on abilities. Casual ride of 20-30 miles; 12-18 mph avg. Focus on improving group riding skills, safety, etiquette, having fun. Contact Andrew Bouchard (207-551-7027) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI
MADAWASKA: Four Seasons Trail Association Walking Group. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 1:00 p.m. at Four Seasons Lodge, 425 Spring St. Bring lunch. Contact Jacqueline Soucy (207-728-7047) FMI
PRESQUE ISLE: Bike Board & Ski Group Mountain Bike Ride. Wednesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic Heritage Center Welcome Center, 450 Fort Fairfield Rd. Year-round, conditions permitting. Faster group ride for intermediate to advanced riders. 10-13 miles; 8-10 mph avg. Focus on shredding the trails, group riding, having fun. Contact Tom Chasse (207-694-5222) or info@bikeboardandski.com FMI
PRESQUE ISLE: Presque Isle Historical Society Guided Historic Fairmount Cemetery Tour. Second Friday of the month May 10-September 13. at 5:30 p.m. at Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, 3 Houlton Road. 1.5-hour guided walking tour; discuss origins, Victorian influences, 30 local historic figures. Many hills on tour. Cost: $5. Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI
PRESQUE ISLE: Presque Isle Historical Society Guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour. Fourth Saturday of the month April 27-September 28 from 10:00 a.m.-Noon. Guided two-mile tour begins and ends at the 1875 Vera Estey House Museum, 16 Third Street, and covers over 30 historic sites and individuals. Reservations suggested. Fee: FREE. Contact Kim Smith (207-762-1151) or visit www.pihistory.org FMI
PRESQUE ISLE: County Strides Running Group. Sundays; 10:00 a.m. at various locations. Open to all abilities; be ready for an easy run of 30-45 minutes, and bring friends! Visit County Strides at www.facebook.com/groups/447181508818122 FMI