Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Rain may have caused the postponement of the Potato Blossom Festival Parade in Fort Fairfield, but that won’t be the case with an annual event scheduled to kick off in the Star City on Friday.
The fourth annual Ultimate ATV Event, hosted by the Star City ATV Club, gets under way July 24, with festivities planned through July 26. While showers are predicted for all three days — the greatest chance of precipitation, according to noaa.gov, is for Friday — that won’t be a problem for those attending the gathering, since a bit of dampness on the trails helps reduce dust and creates the occasional mud puddle. And for those familiar with the sport, mud just adds to the fun of a ride.
ATV enthusiasts from all across Maine, as well as several other states, have attended past gatherings. Organizers expect much the same this year, with dozens of riders arriving in Presque Isle this week to enjoy the many miles of well-maintained trails. While here, they’ll be staying at local hotels and motels and shopping at area businesses.
The fun will start on Friday, with a meet-and-greet at the Park and Ride beginning at 5 p.m. The club’s diner will be open, serving hamburgers and hotdogs. A night ride to Caribou will take place, with riders heading out at 7 p.m. Once back in the Star City, participants can stick around for a bonfire and an opportunity to get caught up with old friends and make some new ones too.
A new trail has opened in Presque Isle, leading to Arnold Brook Lake.
“We now have a new trail open from the Park and Ride to Arnold Brook Lake. On Friday evening, we will be riding from the Park and Ride to the lake, with a bonfire with hotdogs and burgers,” said Sadie Billings, club secretary.
Billings said there’s been a slight chance in plans for Saturday’s ride.
“On Saturday, the ride to Mars Hill Mountain has been scratched and the group will be riding to Van Buren, where the Van Buren Ridge Runners ATV Club will be hosting a hotdog roast for participants,” Billings said.
Plans had included a ride up Mars Hill Mountain, but according to Dick Howlett, club president, the ride was scrapped.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the mountain will not be open to our event. Instead, we’ll be heading north to Van Buren, with the Van Buren ATV Club graciously agreeing to host a barbecue,” said Howlett on the SCATV Web site.
The club’s diner will be open for breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Festivities continue Saturday evening, with a pig roast and bean-hole bean supper planned at the Park and Ride in Presque Isle. Cost for the meal is $8 per person. A number of items, including a 19-inch flat-screen TV, will be raffled off following supper. The night’s activities will also include a bonfire.
On Sunday, the club diner will again open for breakfast, followed by a Sunday-morning ride from the Park and Ride, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Club membership is not a prerequisite to participate. Anyone interested in joining the club may do so at the event, by contacting Howlett or visiting www.starcityatv.com. For more information, call 764-8313, 764-0805 or toll-free 877-764-8313. Membership dues go toward trail maintenance and aid the club in hosting the Ultimate ATV Event each year.
