Fund-raiser aids Pine Tree Camp Snowmobile ride-in has collected more than $2.8 million since 1974

Snowmobilers from across the state will converge on Newport this weekend for the annual Pine Tree Ride-In.

The event serves as a fund-raiser for the Pine Tree Camp for Maine children and adults with disabilities.

Since 1974, Maine snowmobilers have raised more than $2.8 million in support of Pine Tree Camp.

Among Saturday’s events:

. The Q-106.5 Egg Ride will leave the Hungry Hollow 76ers Clubhouse in Levant at about 9 a.m. and arrive at the Sebasticook Valley Community Center in Newport at about 10.

. The Newport Fire Department will hold a chicken barbecue from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the community center.

. A parade will be staged in downtown Newport at 3 p.m.

. An all-you-can-eat Italian buffet will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the community center. The buffet will be followed by a fireworks display.

On Sunday, the event wraps up with a pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at the Meridian Splendor Masonic Hall in Newport.

Pine Tree Camp in Rome was opened in 1945 as a recreational and therapy outlet for Maine children with disabilities. A stay at the 250-acre facility in the Belgrade Lakes region allows campers to participate in activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, boating, fishing, and overnight camping.

Hancock Derby on tap

The Mount Desert Island Rod & Gun Club will hold its annual ice fishing derby on Feb. 13.

The derby will accept fish caught in all lakes and ponds in Hancock County. The weigh-in will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Ellsworth Elks Club, and the deadline for weighing fish is 6 p.m.

The grand prize of $1,000 will go to a lucky angler who registers a legal fish.

A new prize this year will go to the person who registers the smallest legal togue. The intent of that prize is to help thin out the overabundant togue that are present in many local waters.

Tickets cost $5 each or $15 for four. For more information call 288-5457, 288-9572 or 288-2767.

Organizers point out that there is a misprint on the ticket: Feb. 13 is not one of the state’s free fishing days. Anglers must be licensed in order to fish that day.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.