NEWPORT – More than 100 teams of sled dogs have been registered already for the Fifth annual Sebasticook Valley Sled Dog Races to be held this Saturday and Sunday.

Jane Briggs of the Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce said Wednesday that not only are the events “such wonderful family entertainment,” but they also pump more than $20,000 into the local economy over the weekend.

An opposing race, originally scheduled in New Hampshire, has been canceled, so Briggs said she expects many more last-minute entrants.

The timed races will begin and end at the Sebasticook Valley Snowmobile Club on Durham Bridge Road. The trails wander in and out of the woods along the northeast part of Sebasticook Lake and visitors are encouraged to come to the clubhouse by 8 a.m. to meet the mushers and see how they harness and handle their teams

Races will start at 9 a.m. each day with skijoring, which involves one or two dogs pulling a cross-country skier. Other events include kids’ races, open classes for eight to 16 dog teams and six-dog professional teams.

The clubhouse will be open and concessions will be serving food.

The SVCC provides the $2,500 purse, raised when local businesses sponsor signs on the individual sleds.

“This event greatly impacts our local economy,” Briggs said Wednesday. “What better way to escape those ‘cabin fever’ blues?”