When a pair of Caribou business partners hatched a plan for a winter festival two years ago, they had no idea the event would draw thousands of people to northern Maine.
But that’s exactly what happened when Jim Gamage and Troy Haney, owners of Spud Speedway in Caribou, launched the first SnowBowl in 2023. More than 8,000 locals and visitors turned out for snowmobile riding, racing and family fun.
Now in its third year, the SnowBowl has grown into a week of activities for all ages to celebrate winter in Aroostook County. Haney and Gamage aimed to create an attraction for residents, but also to inspire tourists to travel north. And since snow has finally fallen in a season that was slow to start, the region’s winter economy is primed for visitors.
“The economic impact is huge. People have to stay here, eat and buy gas,” Haney said Tuesday. “This is a major event and will hopefully help these restaurants and hotels, who have had a slow season. We hope it’s a positive impact on everybody.”
As far as organizers know, the SnowBowl races will be the only Snocross event in Maine this year, Haney said while he and crews hauled snow to build the track at the Aroostook Centre Mall parking lot in Presque Isle.
Snocross racing incorporates specialized sleds, fast speeds, jumps and tricks.
XGames organizer Joe Duncan of Minnesota, who has a successful series in his home state, is bringing the races to northern Maine, Haney said.
Professional riders are expected from throughout New England, New York and Canada.
Beyond the pros, “Sunday Funday” racing will take place March 2, which is open to everyone who wants to experience riding on a track. Dangerous elements like jumps will be removed so all ages can try it out.
There are classes for everyone, Haney said, adding that the goal is to try to build the sport of snowmobile racing in Maine.
It may already be growing, thanks to another series that made its debut in Presque Isle earlier this year. The New England XCountry Championship series started off Jan. 18 at Arnold Brook Lake, and will wind up with the Portage Lake Loon 100 on March 8 and the final championship at Long Lake on March 15. Other races were held in Oquossoc and Lincoln.
The SnowBowl has already drawn a lot of attention, including more than 400,000 views on social media in the past month, Haney said.
“We know people are coming,” he said. “We just heard this morning about a big group of snowmobilers that left New Hampshire yesterday, and they’re riding to northern Maine on their snowmobiles for the SnowBowl.”
Activities are slated at multiple venues, including BigRock Mountain in Mars Hill, the Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle and Spud Speedway.
Events kicked off Feb. 23 with Brian’s Ride, a 75-mile snowmobile journey that included a visit to the former Loring Air Force Base. Proceeds benefit the Brian’s Ride Cancer Fund, which has raised more than $250,000 and helped hundreds of local people battling cancer, according to Spud Speedway’s social media page.
Discounted skiing will open at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at BigRock, and at 5 p.m. a “race the Rock” hill climb will feature snowmobilers racing their sleds up the mountain.
Magician Kent Axell will perform at 7 p .m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Caribou Performing Arts Center.
Festivities on Friday, Feb. 28, will be centered at the speedway from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be a bonfire, a hot dog roast, food trucks, music and vendors. Visitors can walk or ride through Spud Speedway’s Northern Lights, a first-of-its-kind light display that Haney and Gamage plan to build on in future years.
A groomer rodeo will get underway at 6 p.m., where local snowmobile club personnel will maneuver their massive trail grooming machines on the track and vie for first place.
Events will move to the mall in Presque Isle for the rest of the weekend. Snocross and vintage snowmobile racing will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 1.
A block party featuring “AD/HD: The AC/DC Experience” will start at 5 p.m. on Main Street in Presque Isle, followed by a RaveX freestyle snowmobile stunt show at 7 p.m.
More racing is on tap at the mall for Sunday, March 2, with Sunday Funday by X Racing and a vintage snowmobile show, both starting at 10 a.m.
Vendors will be assembled inside the Aroostook Centre Mall on both days.
For more details, including event ticket information, check out SnowBowl 2025 at spudspeedway.com.
