NEWPORT – Dirt is showing through the trails, the surface of Sebasticook Lake is not completely frozen and rain is predicted for this weekend.

Sound like a dire situation? Not for the die-hards that participate annually in Newport’s Pine Tree Ride-In to benefit the Pine Tree Camp for Handicapped Children and Adults in Rome.

Harvey Chesley of Pine Tree Camp said Thursday that snowmobile clubs all over the state and Canada bring their donations to Newport after individual fundraisers held throughout the year.

“We should top $3 million this year, raised since the ride-in’s inception in 1974,” he said. “This, the 33rd year, should raise about $124,000.”

He said the lack of snow is disappointing but will do nothing to dampen the spirit of riders bringing their money to town, money for the camp as well as a surge of cash for local merchants.

“This is the third year in a row we have had this problem,” Gary Braley said Thursday. “Everything right now is up in the air.”

The predicted rain is of great concern, he said, but if the rain should change over to a little bit of snow, everything will work out well.

“We would love to see about two feet of good fluffy snow right now,” said Chesley.

Right now, however, there is no snow to put in the roads for the annual snowmobile parade, and the Egg Run, which usually takes trails from Levant to Newport, may be changed considerably. Organizers are working on an alternative that would put the snowmobiles and riders on trailers, driving them to Newport.

“We are really in a holding pattern,” Chesley said. “We’re waiting on the weather.” He said there are plenty of indoor events that shouldn’t be missed, including a Friday night auction and meals served throughout the weekend.

Newport Town Manager James Ricker, who has ridden the trails in the Egg Run event, laden down with dozens of eggs inside his clothing, said the ride-in provides an “economic spurt” to the area.

“The ride-in, coupled with the rest of the activities, such as the fireworks, brings a lot of people to town,” he said Thursday. “As you know, they stop at all the gas stations, the restaurants and clearly it is an economic boost.”

The schedule for the three-day event, which is subject to last-minute changes due to weather, is:

. Friday, Feb. 3: 4 p.m. registrations at Sebasticook Valley Community Center, 5 p.m. meals at SVCC, 7 p.m. Ride-In auction at SVCC.

. Saturday, Feb. 4: 7 a.m., all-you-can eat breakfast at Hungry Hollow Snowmobile Club in Levant; 8 a.m., radar run registration at Sebasticook Valley Snowmobile Club; 9 a.m., radar runs in cove of Sebasticook Lake; 9 a.m., egg run from Levant to SVCC; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Newport Fire Department chicken barbecue across from SVCC; 1 to 3 p.m., queen and princess pageant at SVCC; 3 p.m., snowmobile parade on Route 2 in Newport; 4 to 6 p.m., all-you-can-eat Italian buffet at SVCC; 6 p.m., giant fireworks’ show over Sebasticook Lake; 8 to 9 p.m., awards ceremony and donation tally at SVCC.

. Sunday, Feb. 5: 7-10 a.m., pancake breakfast at Meridian Splendor Lodge on Route 7.

For more information on any event, contact Chesley at 443-3341, Billy Sawyer at 278-4512, or Gary Braley at 368-5808.