OLD TOWN – Old Town Canoe Company announced today the annual Paddle Palooza in Old Town.

This event is sponsored by the Old Town Canoe Co. and the Old Town-Orono YMCA. The free event will be held 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Old Town-Orono YMCA.

Billed as a “Celebration of Family Fun and Fitness,” Paddle Palooza will offer area residents a chance to shake off the winter blues and enjoy the wide range of activities offered by the YMCA, as well as special demonstrations, displays and a canoe, kayak and accessory sale put on by the Old Town Canoe Factory Outlet store.

Lloyd Hall, retail sales manager at Old Town Canoe, said, “The excellent facilities at the YMCA are a perfect place for us to offer free instructional seminars and actually let people paddle our wide range of boats in the middle of winter. It is going to be an exciting event. In addition to the seminars and huge sale, we also will showcase some of our brand-new for 2007 boat models.”

Karen Francoeur, a Master Maine Sea Kayak Guide with Castine Kayak Adventures, will provide two free seminars during the event, “The Right Boat for the Right Conditions,” and “Fluid Kayaking Techniques.”

Throughout the event, the YMCA will showcase its family fitness and recreation programs and facilities. Highlights of the YMCA showcase include free admission, free fitness classes throughout the day on Saturday and a youth basketball tournament. The racquetball courts, climbing gym and skate park will be open to the public.

Jill Nitardi, executive director of the Old Town-Orono YMCA said, “By partnering with Old Town Canoe in creating this event, we are able provide a fun and healthy winter weekend for area residents. This is a nice opportunity for us to show off our first-rate programs, facilities and staff.”

The River Coalition and other community groups will participate in the event, offering food, fun and games for the whole family.

For more information, call the Old Town Canoe event hotline at 817-8697.