Lincoln’s Winterfest strives to promote area, businesses

LINCOLN – For people who like snowmobile racing, cross-country skiing and ice fishing, Lincoln’s Winterfest 2001 is the place to be this weekend.

Organizers of the two-day event, which starts Saturday, Jan. 27 and ends Sunday, Jan. 28, hope the Winterfest draws more than it did last year (1,000 people).

Winterfest is sponsored by the Lincoln Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. Kendra Helsor, president of the chamber, said the event is aimed at promoting local businesses and showing off the town’s winter recreational opportunities.

“We are trying to promote business by getting people to come to Lincoln,” she said.

“Maybe once visitors come to Lincoln, they might want to come back during the summer to enjoy our lakes,” said Helsor.

The chamber president said many businesses will be offering specials or discounts to shoppers displaying snowmobile race tickets.

One of the featured attractions of the event is the third annual sno-cross (snowmobile) races sponsored by the Lincoln Snowhounds Snowmobile Club. The group will pay out $2,000 in prize money.

Races will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the snowmobile clubhouse, located off Route 2 on the Town Farm Road. Registration is from 8 to 10:30 a.m. both days. The registration fee is $15. To register, call 794-1037 or e-mail to kjs@midmaine.com. Admission to the races is $10 for a two-day race pass or $6 for a one-day pass. The fee for kids six to 12 years of age is $3.

“We are getting calls from all over the state,” Alan Smith, president of the snowmobile club, said of the high interest in the races.

Smith said Lincoln has much to offer for winter recreation, including more than 100 miles of groomed snowmobile trails that connect to the two major statewide trail systems. In addition, visitors may cross-country ski and ice fish on one or more of the 13 local lakes and ponds. The club president said between 20 and 30 people were hard at work preparing the half-mile snowmobile race track. He commended the efforts of workers, along with the 30 area businesses, who made donations for the event.

Other Winterfest events are: public buffet breakfasts beginning at 6 a.m., at the club house on both days; ice fishing derby beginning at 8 a.m., at Prince Thomas Park on both days; a baked bean supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the VFW Hall in Lincoln Center; and a cross-country ski race at 1 p.m., Sunday at Prince Thomas Park.