Penobscot River Winterfest gives Brewer nice way to break the ice

BREWER – Motorists on the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge will surely be struck by the sight of Snoopy skiing downhill, a snowboarder and other fanciful ice sculptures created over the weekend as part of the third Penobscot River Winterfest. The striking creations will enliven the waterfront, at least until they melt.

“Winterfest provides an opportunity for people to get together and show off their skills and ward off the winter blues,” Brewer City Manager Steve Bost said Saturday.

The two-day festival featured live music, a chili cook-off, snow-carving contests, live performances, and sliding and games for youngsters. Events were held along the river, at the Brewer Auditorium and Doyle Field.

Professionals produced some of the ice sculptures while local artisans competed for a $500 prize in an ice-carving contest. Chris Whitman of Prospect took first place for his ice sculpture of a child ice fishing.

The Muddy Rudder hosted a black-tie dinner and dance on Friday and several hundred people turned out Saturday to taste five different kinds of chili entered in the People’s Choice Chili Cook-off held on the Muddy Rudder’s porch. This year, the Rudder’s chili took first place and Opus of Bangor came in second.

“There was a ton of laughter [at the dinner] and the food was incredible – to die for,” Brewer Councilor Gail Kelly said Saturday.

K.C. Jones, the former Boston Celtics player and coach, was in town for the festivities and to support Operation Community Support, a local program providing recreational and entertainment opportunities to U.S. soldiers and their families.

“We have to honor these people,” Jones said. “And say thank you.”

Jones played nine seasons with the Celtics between 1959 and 1967 and was head coach from 1983 to 1988. He was inducted into the Bay Area Hall of Fame in 1986.

While in town, Jones took time to visit and tell stories about Celtics players such as Larry Bird to children at the Brewer Auditorium. The basketball star also took in the chili cook-off.

At the Rudder, Jones and the rest of the crowd were serenaded by Miscellania, the all-female a cappella group from Bowdoin College in Brunswick. The Meddybempsters, Bowdoin’s male a cappella group, performed on Friday night.

Jones also handed out the snow creation awards for the city. The “Fiberoptic Waffles” team, which created a wedding cake out of snow, earned first place. Team members included Sarah Breau, Rebecca Breau, Kendra Keefe, Stephanie Knowles and Bobby Coombs.

Brewer Councilor Manley DeBeck was among the people seeking Jones’ autograph.

“I grew up with that team,” DeBeck said.

The Brewer Hometown Band, the city’s official ambassadors, entertained crowds throughout the day in the Cool Cafe downstairs at the auditorium. The third annual Cool Cafe event was dedicated to band member Byron “Buddy” Chappelle, of Old Town, who died Feb. 8.

Winterfest is a partnership of the Penobscot Landing advisory committee and Brewer Wal-Mart Supercenter, which ran the children’s games at the auditorium and will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Children’s Miracle Network, Wal-Mart’s national charity.

An estimated 1,700 people converged on Brewer for the festivities, according to Drew Sachs, Brewer director of economic development.

“I think it was another successful year, and we’re already planning the 2006 Winterfest,” he said. “We’re definitely going to be having another semiformal type of event next year … and we’re thinking about adding additional venues, including ones at the Eastern Fine mill.”