BRIDGTON – Sled dog racers from all over New England will compete the weekend of Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 at the annual three-day Musher’s Bowl Winter Carnival in Bridgton and Fryeburg.

A smorgasbord of winter events will complement the races, slated for Highland Lake in Bridgton and the Fryeburg Fairgrounds.

Those activities include anything ice – skating, carving, fishing – as well as star-gazing, horse-drawn hayrides, snowmobile rides, a winter carnival dance and snow shoe races.

The carnival kicks off from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Highland Lake waterfront with a bonfire, sponsors recognition, music, dogsleds and food. There’ll also be free skating at the Old Town Hall in Bridgton from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Other Friday events include basketball at the Fryeburg/Bridgton Fire Department from 7 to 9 p.m., and a winter movie from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Magic Lantern on Main Street in Bridgton.

On Jan. 31, the day starts with pancake breakfasts at the Fryeburg Catholic Church and the Bridgton First Congregational Church. Mushers Bowl Dogsled races and skijoring start at 9 a.m. at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds, where there will also be horse-drawn rides. Dogsled rides will also be offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both Highland Lake and the fairgrounds.

Activities continue throughout the day, ending with a winter carnival dance from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

More dogsled racing and rides, and horse-drawn carriage rides fill Sunday, and Shawnee Peak Ski Resort is offering special events both days.

The Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and Down East Magazine are carnival sponsors.

Admission is gained by purchasing 2004 Mushers Bowl Carnival buttons on sale for $1 at the Chamber and at many area stores.