Staff Writer
While the length of the Caribou Winter Carnival is shorter this year, organizers say that new and revived events promise a good time for local and County residents.
“Caribou is Fabulous in February” is the theme for the annual event. Scheduled throughout the month of February, the main event is four days of winter activities from Thursday, Feb. 7 to Sunday, Feb. 10. Other events are scheduled later in the month.
“For many years, we’ve had 12 or more days,” said Wendy Landes, of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “This year is the first year we’ve scaled it back to four days.”
Highlights of the carnival include the revival of snowmobile drag races on Collins Pond.
“Hopefully that will draw a crowd, locally and from all of Aroostook County,” Landes said.
Another major event is a Chocolate Festival, which will raise money for the proposed Children’s Discovery Museum. “That should be a scrumptious event,” Landes said.
Traditionally, the CCC & I does not sponsor carnival events, but this is the second year that the chamber has brought a musical event to the lineup. The Tess Collins Trio, which performs jazz music, will perform at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Tess Collins, a Caribou native, is the daughter of Sam and Lise Collins.
“We love our music,” Landes said.
The carnival festivities begin with a winter snack at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 at the S.W. Collins Home Design Center, where children from ages four and participants can make a winter theme snack. Children should be accompanied by an adult for this activity, according to carnival organizers.
Later in the day, the Caribou Pet Rescue will begin an adoption fair and bottle drive at its Richards Road location from Feb. 7 to 9. Dogs and cats, which can be adopted, will be available for viewing.
Bingo will be played at the American Legion Hall at 7 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday, Feb. 7 and 8.
The action continues with a peewee basketball tournament at Caribou Middle School from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9. Basketball teams from other County recreation departments will play to determine who will be the 2008 champion for fifth and sixth grade boys.
Fathers and daughters can get together from 7 to 9 p.m. during a sweetheart dance at the Caribou Learning Center gym. Admission is $5 per couple and photographs will be taken for a fee.
At the same time, comedian Bob Marley will perform during shows at 7 and 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Sponsored by the Caribou Volunteer Fire Department, proceeds from the performances will benefit the Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum.
A cribbage tournament and Bingo also will be held at the American Legion on Friday at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Feb. 9, a Chocolate Festival benefiting the discovery museum will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Caribou High School cafeteria. Participants may purchase a book of 12 tasting coupons at the door for $10. Besides a silent auction for chocolate desserts from local restaurants, Poppi the Clown will be there.
Later on Feb. 9, the Tess Collins Trio will perform at 7 p.m. at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Proceeds from that performance will benefit he Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery.
If you haven’t tried alpine, or downhill, skiing, you can give it a crack from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Caribou High School Ski Center on Sunday, Feb. 10. Sponsored by the Northern Skiers Club, skis will be available for all ages.
Collins Pond will be the site for snowmobile drag racing on Sunday, Feb. 10 beginning at noon. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places.
The carnival fun continues later in the month with “Ladies Night on the Town,” at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14, at the Jade Palace Restaurant. Advance ticket sales are available from Lioness members. Bingo and a cribbage tournament will be held at the American Legion at 7 p.m.
Caribou’s Keystone Kops will return on Friday, Feb. 15. Warrants of arrest are available for $10. “Criminals” are arrested, picked up and transported to jail, where they’re served coffee and donuts before being returned for retaliation.
At 7 p.m., a cribbage tournament will again be held at the American Legion.
A Family Fun Day is planned for Saturday, Feb. 16 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Caribou High School Ski Center. In addition to snow-related activities, there will be a bonfire and hot dog roast.
A dart tournament at the American Legion will begin at 9 a.m. on that Saturday.
On Thursday, Feb. 21, Bingo will again be held at the American Legion Hall.
Cabin Fever Day is planned from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22 at the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The winners of three pairs of LL Bean children’s snowshoes will be drawn at 4 p.m. During the afternoon, there will be a “kraft korner” for the children, with snack and drinks included.
The Winter Carnival Dance will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 23 at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center with music provided by Overdrive.
The carnival will end with more Bingo at 7 p.m. on both Sunday, Feb. 24, and Thursday, Feb. 28 at the American Legion.
