Biathlon festivities to include arts, food Fort Kent to give visitors local flavor

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The main attraction of the World Cup Biathlon in Fort Kent may be athletic events, but no celebration in this heartland of Franco-American culture is complete without Acadian music, food, dancing and winter activities. This is northern Maine in winter, after all, and sleighs, snow dogs and lots of bulky clothing are sure to be among the best-loved sights during the week of intense influx of visitors and athletes.

In addition to the sports competitions, which will take place in the morning, the Biathlon Festival of Arts will offer entertainment throughout the afternoon and evenings in a variety of venues around town including spectator tents, the Fort Kent Community High School cafeteria, and Fox Auditorium at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. Most of the events are free and open to the public.

Snowmobile tours, dogsled rides and horse-drawn sleigh rides will show off the area’s winter wonderland and historic sites. An arts and crafts tent will feature Acadian artists, weavers and woodcrafters. And Albert Deveau of Edmunston, New Brunswick, will build a snow sculpture rendition of the World Cup Biathletes in downtown Fort Kent.

Throughout the week in a variety of locations, local chefs will prepare ployes, the traditional Acadian pancakes that are made of water and flour but no eggs. The Bouchards, who run Bouchard Family Farm, typically delight crowds by making 12-foot round buckwheat cakes at summer festivals. On Friday, they will take a stab at making what they like to call “the world’s largest ployes” for the first time outdoors in winter.

“We’ll see what happens!” said Janice Bouchard, who added that it takes about 10 gallons of batter and 20 bags of charcoal to make the oversized pancake. “We hope it’s not too windy.”

The pancakes, lumberjack demonstrations and rockin’ bands are Fort Kent’s way of showing local color, talent and good times, say the Festival of Arts organizers.

“We wanted to roll out the red carpet,” said Jason Parent, director of university relations and one of the organizers for the various arts events. “It’s much more than music, but music is central to celebrations in the St. John Valley area.”

While some musical groups, such as Stone Canyon Band, are coming from as far away as Connecticut to play country tunes, most of the entertainment comes from closer to home such as the Acadian Singers from Fort Kent, and Too Far North, a classic rock band from Aroostook County.

Samantha Boutot, an 18-year-old senior at Fort Kent High School, usually sings at weddings, socials, suppers and sports events during the regular year. For the Festival of Arts, she will perform jazz and pop tunes. But she will also perform “Le Voyageur,” an anthem arranged by UM associate music professor Scott Brickman for the event.

The song tells the story in French and English about the legendary “voyageur,” or woodsman, who traveled through the French province trapping, trading, lumbering, storytelling and singing. The “voyageur,” who is sometimes called “courrier du bois” or woods runner, is the official mascot for the Biathlon.

“‘Le Voyageur’ is the theme song for the Biathlon,” said Boutot, who also teaches voice to young singers in the area. “It’s about the voyager in the woods, his strength, his will and courage. It feels like old Acadian music. It’s neat.”

What’s neat doesn’t stop there. Skating, magic shows, the Banff Film Festival, a live deejay, fireworks and magic shows will fill the entertainment bill for the projected 20,000 spectators and 150 competitors from 26 different countries.

“It’s a great melange of activity,” said Parent. “There’s something for everyone. We’re hoping that thousands of people will attend the events and then stay downtown for the showcases of Acadian and Franco culture.”

Alicia Anstead can be reached at 990-8266 or aanstead@bangordailynews.net.

Biathlon Festival of Arts Schedule

Tuesday, March 2

Banff Film Festival, 3:30-6 p.m., $5, Fox Auditorium, University of Maine at Fort Kent

Ray Ki Band, 6-10 p.m., free, Lonesome Pine Trails Pub

Wednesday, March 3

Marcel & Valerie Boutot, 8-9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m.- 1p.m., free, venue tent, 10th Mt Center.

Arts and crafts fair, noon-6 p.m., Fort Kent Community High School cafeteria.

Snowmobile tours, noon-6 p.m., free, Lonesome Pine Trails Lodge.

Dog sled rides, 1-2:30 p.m., $20, St. John Road.

Donna Nadeau Wilson, 1-3 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Samantha Boutot, 2-3 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Ice sculpture by Albert Deveau, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., free, Main Street.

Acadian Singers, 3-4 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Banff Film Festival, 3:30-6 p.m., $5, Fox Auditorium, UMFK.

Rob Roy, 4-5 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Kevin Pinette, disc jockey, 5-7 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Ray Ki Band, 5-10:30 p.m., free, Lonesome Pines Trails Pub.

One-act play, 7-10 p.m., free, Fort Kent Community High School gym.

Center Line Band, 8-11 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Thursday, March 4

Marcel & Valerie Boutot, 8-9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-1 p.m., free, venue tent, 10th Mt. Center.

Arts and crafts fair, noon-6 p.m., free, Fort Kent Community High School cafeteria.

Snowmobile tours, noon-6 p.m., free, Lonesome Pine Trails Lodge.

Dog Sled Rides , 1-2:30 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m., $20, St. John Road.

Star Struck Make Your Own Video, noon-5 p.m., $5, Lonesome Pine Trails Lodge.

Nadeau Sisters, 1-2 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Samantha Boutot, 1-2 p.m., free, spectator, Main Street.

One-act play, 2-5 p.m., free, Fort Kent Community High School gym.

Ice sculpture by Albert Deveau, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Marcel & Valerie Boutot, 2-4 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Banff Film Festival, 3:30-6 p.m., $5,Fox Auditorium, UMFK

Nadeau Sisters, 4-6 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Kevin Pinette Disc Jockey, 6-8 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Center Line Band, 6-10:30 p.m., free, Lonesome Pine Trails Pub.

Soiree du Bon Temps, 7-10 p.m., $5, Community High School gym.

Skating rink party, 7-10:30 p.m., free, Jalbert Park.

Too Far North, 8 p.m.-midnight, free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Friday, March 5

Donna Nadeau Wilson, Samantha Boutot, Melanie Saucier, 8:30-10:30 a.m. and noon- 2p.m., free, venue tent, 10th Mt. Center

Arts and crafts fair, noon- 6 p.m., free, Fort Kent Community High School cafeteria.

Snowmobile tours, noon-6p.m., free, Lonesome Pine Trails Lodge.

Dog sled rides, 1-2:30 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m., $20, St. John Road.

Horse sleigh rides, noon-6 p.m., free, Fort Kent Community High School parking lot.

Ski Bub races, 1-5 p.m., free, Lonesome Pine Trails.

Ploye demonstration, 1-3 p.m., free, Main Street (behind Irving)

Rick Charette, children’s entertainer, 12:30-1:30 p.m., $5, Fox Auditorium, UMFK.

Lumberjack competition, 2-4 p.m., free, Main Street (behind Irving)

Ice sculpture by Albert Deveau, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Double Take Band, 2-6 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Hypnotist, 7-9:30 p.m., $5, Fox Auditorium, UMFK.

International Light Parade, 6-7:30 p.m., free, Clair, N.B. to Fort Kent,

Ray Ki Band, 8:30-11:30 p.m., free, Lonesome Pine Trails Pub.

Torch Light Parade, 7-8 p.m., free, Lonesome Pine Trails.

Fireworks, 7:30-8 p.m., free, Main Street.

J.P. Leblanc Band, 8 p.m.-midnight, free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Saturday, March 6

Marcel & Valerie Boutot, 8:30-10 a.m. and noon-2 p.m., free, venue tent, 10th Mt. Center.

Arts and crafts fair, noon- 6 p.m., free, Fort Kent Community High School cafeteria

Snowmobile tours, noon-6p.m., free, Lonesome Pine Trails Lodge.

Dog sled rides, 1-2:30 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m., $20, St. John Road.

Horse sleigh rides, noon-6 p.m., free, Fort Kent Community High School parking lot.

Ski Bub races and freestyle demo, 1-5 p.m., free, Lonesome Pine Trails.

Magic Mike the Magician, 1-2 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Travis Cyr, 2-3 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Ray Ki Band, 3-7 p.m., free, spectator tent, Main Street.

Fireworks, 7:30- 8 p.m., free, Main Street.

Dennis Dube, 6-8 p.m., free, Lonesome Pine Trails Pub.

Travis Cyr, 8:30-11 p.m., free, Lonesome Pine Trails Pub.

The Stone Canyon Band, 8-midnight, free, spectator tent, Main Street.