MADAWASKA – Despite a late start, organizers of the International Snowmobile Festival say that plans are jelling for the first weekend in February, when snowmobiling will be the number one activity in northern Maine and northwestern New Brunswick.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the festival that opens trails on both sides of the border to snowmobilers for the minimal price of a $20 passport.

The passport allows snowmobilers from the United States and Canada to travel on each other’s trails without paying for provincial and state permits.

That alone can save them more than $100. A weekend pass on New Brunswick trails normally costs American snowmobilers $125. Canadians must pay $60 to ride Maine trails.

According to Super Trax, a snowmobiling magazine published in Minnesota, Aroostook County snowmobiling trails have been rated number one in New England and third best in the nation. Super Trax had a one-page article on snowmobiling in the St. John Valley in its winter edition.

The annual festival, which will run Friday through Sunday, Feb. 3-5, offers snowmobilers more than good trails.

On Friday night there will be a spaghetti feed and dance with the Jerry T Band at the Madawaska Knights of Columbus Hall, a supper at two Canadian clubs and drag racing on Saturday night, and breakfast at the Madawaska Knights of Columbus Hall on Sunday morning.

There is a shuttle service after the evening activities on both sides of the river. Revelers can get free rides back to their motels and hotels from the dances in Madawaska and Edmundston.

Riders can also participate in Lucky Runs on Friday and Saturday. Riders pick up cards at designated checkpoints for prizes awarded at the Sunday morning breakfast in Madawaska.

Major sponsors of the annual event are the province of New Brunswick, the town of Madawaska and Fraser Papers Inc. All three use the annual festival to promote their areas and safe riding.

“We’ve gotten a late start, but everything is ready,” Ken Theriault of Madawaska, one of the organizers, said Tuesday. “We are looking at the same trails as before, about 400 miles through New Brunswick and northern Maine.

“We are looking for people to be safe, especially during this big weekend,” Theriault said. “We have lined up great activities. People should have fun.”

To register, call the Greater Madawaska Chamber of Commerce by Friday Feb 3. Weekend registrations will be handled at the Madawaska Knights of Columbus Hall.

Festival registration over the weekend will also be accepted at the Quality Inn in Edmundston, Coffin’s General Store in Portage and the Northern Door Inn in Fort Kent.

Trails open for the weekend include two 90-mile loops, one each in New Brunswick and in the St. John Valley, and two 200-mile loops, also one in each area.

The 200-mile loop in New Brunswick runs from Madawaska to Van Buren and into Canada to St. Quentin, New Brunswick, on to Moose Valley and back to Edmundston at the Club du Nord Snowmobile Club.

The American 200-mile loop runs from Madawaska to Van Buren, Washburn, Portage Lake, Eagle Lake, Fort Kent and back to Madawaska.

Riders should know that proof of insurance is needed to ride in Canada.

Along with some 40 businesses on both sides of the border, snowmobile clubs up and down the St. John Valley and beyond are supporting the weekend activities.

Theriault said snowmobile clubs do additional grooming that weekend to keep the trails in topnotch condition.