Paddle Smart Symposium

BANGOR – The sixth annual Paddle Smart Safety Symposium will be held 5-9:30 p.m. Friday, April 28, at the Bangor Y on Hammond Street.

Participants can learn from experts how to be safer paddlers on Maine rivers, ponds, lakes or along the coast, and ask experienced paddlers and safety experts questions during workshops or at exhibits in the gymnasium.

Those who attend the event can try on gear, size up boats and learn about the latest designs in gear and clothing for paddling. Talk with experienced paddlers about life jackets they enjoy wearing, about places to paddle, clubs to paddle with and where to get paddling instruction.

Admission is free, but $5 donations to support next year’s event will be accepted.

The symposium is for those who have never paddled, those who have been paddling for a short time and those who have been paddling for years.

Concurrent 45-minute workshops will be offered through the evening at the Bangor Y on Hammond Street. A schedule at the beginning will help participants choose workshops. Safety demonstrations in the pool will show how various canoe and kayak designs perform in emergency situations.

The event will conclude with the awarding of door prizes donated by industry representatives, area merchants and kayak businesses.

Sponsors of the seminar include the Bangor Y, Castine Kayak Adventures, Epic Sports, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Safe Boating Council and the Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors.

For information, call Epic Sports, 941-5670, or Castine Kayak Adventures, 866-3506, or e-mail castinekayak@cs.com.

Run for the Son

BANGOR – The Christian Motorcyclists Association will be the host for the 19th annual Run for the Son at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Dunkin’ Donuts shop on Broadway.

The Riders For Christ chapter, Old Town-Bangor area, one of more than 850 chapters involved in the organization, will participate in the run. Riders will seek sponsors to raise money from association missions. More than $20.6 million dollars has been raised in the past 18 years.

Twenty percent of funds raised goes to purchase Bibles for those who live in religiously closed or restricted countries, 20 percent goes to purchase motorcycles for native pastors around the world, 20 percent goes to help the “Jesus Film” spread the word of God, and 40 percent is used to reach motorcyclists in the United States.

The goal for the run is $3 million. For more information, call Rick Albert at 827-4398.

Run with the animals

A 5K run-walk road race will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 30, at the Old Town YMCA. Registration is 9-10:20 a.m. Pets may participant in the race. Entry fee is $10, $5 for families who walk. Trophies and ribbons will be awarded. The event benefits The Animal Orphanage.

Baseball programs

ORONO – The Orono Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations for T-ball for 4- and 5-year-olds and minor farm league for 6- to 8-year-olds. The fee is $25 for Orono residents, $35 for others. Call the rec department at 866-5065 for more information.