FORT KENT, Maine – The Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races, one of the premier winter sporting events in the Northeast, returns to Fort Kent on Feb. 28, 2026. The races bring mushers and their dogs from across North America to compete in 250-, 100- and 30-mile races across the rugged trails of the North Maine Woods.
Anyone involved in Can-Am knows the volunteers are what makes this event happen, from the ones wearing expensive headsets at the starting line to the ones with strong voices and yellow vests at intersections on Main Street, and everyone knows each of these people are necessary. They transform downtown Fort Kent, a Main Street that is literally US Highway 1. They turn it into a safe and understandable place on a day when 500 dogs are howling and barking within 1,000 yards of an international border and 30-60 of the strangest animal-drawn vehicles ever devised by humans are going to fly through a crowd of thousands of people straight up America’s First Mile.
That’s a good trick.
Some volunteers are into the Can-Am race so deep they train for certifications for years. They train to be race officials. They train to be medics for people and canines. They learn to follow radio instructions to rescue injured dogs. They train to record start and finish times consistently and accurately in subzero temperatures and sometimes pretty sketchy light. They learn to read maps and find special places in the woods that might not look any different from other parts of the woods.
These folks volunteer to cook, sometimes cooking for non-humans as well. They set up camps in some of the most remote locations in the United States, and play host to hundreds of dogs and their mushers as they move through the course the community built. They open up their homes to people with lots of dogs and an unusual schedule. These animals are not quiet. If that’s not something special, then what is? This beloved tradition thrives, because of the hundreds of volunteers who lend their time, energy, and hospitality. This year, organizers are calling for even more community involvement to ensure the races remain a success.
Volunteer opportunities
Trail preparation – Help groom, mark, and maintain trails so mushers and their teams can compete safely.
Checkpoint support – Assist at official checkpoints with timing, logistics, and providing support to mushers and their dogs.
Hospitality & host families – Open your home to visiting mushers or help with community meals, gatherings and warm welcomes.
Community events – Support race-week festivities, from registration and banquets to youth programs and spectator activities.
General assistance – From parking to crowd guidance, every extra set of hands makes a difference.
How to get involved
Volunteering is open to everyone, whether you have worked with dogs or not. All you need is a weekend to spare or just a few hours. To sign up visit the official website at https://can-am-crown.net.
Fill out the volunteer form under the volunteer section.
Or contact the organizers directly at volunteering@can-am-crown.net.
“The Can-Am Crown is a race, and it’s a celebration of our region’s spirit and resilience,” said Sarah Brooks, vice chair of the Can-Am Crown Planning Committee. “Every trail groomer, checkpoint volunteer, and host family makes this event possible. We invite everyone to be part of this amazing tradition.”
