LINCOLN – Lincoln’s Winterfest 2002 is the place to be for people who like racing snowmobiles and ice fishing derbies, according to organizers.

The two-day event, which starts Saturday, Feb. 9, and ends Sunday, is expected to draw more people than the 1,500 who came to last year’s events.

Winterfest is sponsored by the Lincoln Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. The Winterfest snowmobile races are sponsored by the Lincoln Snowhounds Snowmobile Club.

Kendra Helsor, president of the Chamber, said Winterfest is aimed at promoting local businesses and showing off the town’s numerous winter recreational opportunities.

In light of the two recent devastating fires, Helsor said, the Winterfest events are timely and offer people an opportunity to get out and have a good time. “Lincoln is alive and well and is still in business to do business,” she said.

The snowmobile races are the featured attraction and the Lincoln Snowhounds will pay out $2,000 in prize money.

Races will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the snowmobile clubhouse, located off Route 2 on the Town Farm Road. Registration is from 8 to 10:30 a.m. both days. The registration fee is $15. For information, call 794-1037 or e-mail to kjs@midmaine.com.

Admission to the races is $10 for a two-day adult race pass or $6 for a one-day adult pass. The fee for children 6 to 12 years of age is $3. Children under 5 watch for free. Family passes are $30 per day.

Alan Smith, president of the snowmobile club, said Lincoln has much to offer for winter recreational opportunities, including more than 100 miles of groomed snowmobile trails that connect to the two major statewide trail systems.

“More than 90 percent of our trails are open and groomed,” said Smith. “The trails are the best they have been.” He said the event has grown so much the club is adding additional spectator space and additional parking.

Smith said 16 club members have contributed hundreds of hours of their time to make the races a success. He said members now are hard at work preparing the half-mile snowmobile racetrack. He commended the efforts of 36 businesses, some from as far away as Waterville and Millinocket, who made donations to help sponsor the races.

Registration for the two-day ice fishing derby sponsored by the Lincoln firefighters Local 3038 begins at 8 a.m. Friday at the Lincoln Public Safety Building (police and fire station). Fishing derbies will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

Other Winterfest events are: public breakfasts beginning at 6 a.m. at the clubhouse on both days; lunch is available for race spectators; a spaghetti supper from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Ballard Hill Community Center; and a dance with music by Dana Lavertu from 8 p.m. to midnight at the snowmobile clubhouse.