Moosestompers full of smiles and snow

By Jane Torres
Special to Pioneer Times
It all starts with a meeting in the beginning of January and the energy builds each week until Moosestompers Weekend actually comes together.
This volunteer group of people is dedicated to bringing families outside to play in the snow and to experience what it is really like to live in Aroostook County.    The best part of this event?  It is entirely free to all participants thanks to generous donations from area businesses.
Last Saturday, the sliding hill was ready to go after being compacted by the Meduxnekeag  Snowmobile Club groomer and sprayed down with water by the Houlton Fire Department.
The kids were hauling their sleds up all for the joy of the the thrilling ride down.
Hot chocolate was being made on the porch of the Fair office, the trailer full of cross country skis was in place next to a freshly groomed track, the truck hauling the dog sled pulled in to the parking area, and Russell Stairs surprised everyone by making a grand entrance with his snowmobile, which was hauling a newly made moose trailer for the kids to ride.
Later Saturday, the excitement continued with sleigh rides provided by a team of horses driven by Joel Duff.
What a great way for kids to experience what it was like in “the olden days” when the only mode of travel was by horse or by foot!
The games began with a sawdust scramble for the kids sponsored by the North Country Cruisers with toys for prizes.
Sliding races on Derby Hill were next on the agenda followed by a Snow Dance led by a Moose and videotaped by a brave young man suspended over the group on the fire departments ladder truck!
All participants then could enter the 50 cent coin scramble in the very snowy baseball field!
Also part of the day was a artisan/farmers market at the Rec Center, for those who didn’t want to play in the snow.
On the opposite end of the spectrum was the 5K Katahdin Trust Wild Snow Run and walk, which was attended by those hardier folks, who love the opportunity to compete and will do it despite the cold and snow.  (The smart ones started their day bulking up with an awesome, carbohydrate filled breakfast at the Meduxnekeag Ramblers clubhouse).
As tired parents tried to get the little ones back to their vehicles with promises of coming back on Sunday for more sliding or the free matinee at the Temple Theater or free skating at the Millar Civic Center, the older kids were envisioning G-Force Laser tag that evening at the rec center.
Not to be out done, the older folks were hoping to tuck the kids into bed and make it to the Downunder for “The Moosestompers Ball” where there was another Moosesighting, but this time he was dancing to the music of “Under the Main Floor.” There were many happy, sleepy people in the town of Houlton.