Come mid-April and the arrival of our uniquely New England holiday weekend – Patriots Day – many folks in the Bangor area make a point of visiting a local stream, standing on the banks, and rooting for the spectacular (but safe) demise of their paddling friends.

It’s Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race time … again … and for the 39th year, it’s time for “river vultures” to begin sharpening their talons in preparation for Saturday’s 16 1/2-mile classic.

According to Tracy Willette, Bangor’s supervisor of recreation and the race director, paddlers were initially a bit slower to register than in past years, though that trend has changed over the past few days.

“We have received a lot of questions about the water levels,” Willette said.

Water flow can make or break a canoe race, and at the Kenduskeag, high water means more thrills and spills at fabled Six Mile Falls, the spot where the aforementioned “river vultures” often roost.

But this year, those levels are a bit more of a concern than in the past. The recent local rescues of paddlers – two at Six Miles Falls, another on the Stillwater River – have prompted safety concerns among some potential participants, Willette said.

More reasons paddlers have been calling his office: Last weekend’s Souadabscook Stream Canoe Race was postponed due to high water, and those who don’t live near Bangor are wondering exactly how fast the stream is running.

“I don’t think it [needs to be] any more of a concern than in previous years,” Willette said. “This is the 39th annual race, so I think it’s the type of [water] level that we’ve seen in the past.”

With that said, Willette did point out that on race day, the stream will likely be running on the high side of normal.

Willette said a healthy dose of caution, especially when it comes to potential immersion in water that will be 33 to 40 degrees, is warranted. But he said race organizers take safety seriously, and there’s no reason why recreational paddlers can’t participate and have a good time.

“It’s a great event,” Willette said. “I think it’s [time] where people think, ‘Finally, spring is here,’ even though the weather early in the week didn’t indicate that.”

If you’re interested in participating, or just want to take part in the time-honored tradition as a river-vulture-in-training, here are some tidbits you may want to know:

. It’s not too late to enter. Willette said organizers are taking preregistration entries at the Bangor Parks and Recreation office on Main Street until 1 p.m. Friday. The cost for preregistrants is $17 per paddler.

If you can’t make that deadline, race-day entrants – those who show up at Willette’s office between 1 and 4:30 p.m. on Friday or at the start of the race on Saturday morning will be counted in the “race-day” category – can fill out their forms and pay $27 per entrant.

. There’ll be plenty to see … even if you’re a bit late. Racers will begin leaving Kenduskeag Village at 8:30 a.m., and will begin arriving at Six Mile Falls between 10 and 10:30, Willette said.

Since there will be hundreds of boats, and only five boats per minute are sent off the starting line, that means that there will be plenty of action at various spots along the course, even if you get a late start.

Willette expects most finishers to reach downtown Bangor before 2:30 p.m.

. Record numbers doubtful, but you won’t notice. The high-water mark for entrants (forgive the obvious pun) came in 1994, when 754 boats and 1,529 paddlers entered the race. Last year, 570 boats and 1,024 paddlers took part.

Trust me: You won’t be able to tell the difference. There will be plenty to watch, no matter how many racers sign up.

. Take the time to head downtown. Though much of the action will take on the white-water sections of the course, a trip downtown is worthwhile. Vendors will be set up near the city parking garage, and you’re likely to find a paddler you know if you stand near the finish line for a few minutes.

The parking situation isn’t nearly as bad as everyone seems to think … and it’s not nearly as congested as it will be in Kenduskeag Village … or Six Mile Falls.

The best part: Every participant has a story to tell. And after two or three hours on the water, they’ll likely be eager to tell you all about their journey.

DIF&W done ‘Show’ season

On Sunday afternoon, as the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club’s Sportsman’s Show began to wind down, there was probably nobody in the hall more relieved than Bill Pierce.

Pierce, who does promotional work for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, has been a busy man over the past few months, traveling to sportsman’s shows across the Northeast.

“[I’ve done] 64 show dates since Jan. 6,” Pierce said, taking a brief break from chatting with visitors at the popular DIF&W booth.

Pierce has all kinds of different information at his fingertips, including identification charts for animal tracks, fishing and hunting regulations, and can help point potential visitors in the right direction.

Pierce attended four in-state sportsman’s shows and nine shows outside of Maine, and has traveled from Harrisburg, Pa., to Presque Isle to promote Maine’s abundant outdoor opportunities and the work of the DIF&W.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.