RUMFORD – Wood or aluminum, leather strapped or modern nylon. Showshoes of all lengths, widths and sizes, along with the people who use them, are expected to descend on Rumford Friday night and Saturday for the 16th Annual North American Snowshoe Classic.

Stephen Gallant, organizer of the event and president of the Le Paresseux Snowshoe Club in Rumford, said at least six clubs from Quebec, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, along with at least a dozen unaffiliated snowshoers will race for the trophies and medals.

Races are divided according to age and sex.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday at 11:45 a.m. at Hosmer Field when state Rep. John Patrick, D-Rumford, and Rumford Selectman Eugene Boivin will welcome participants and spectators. The national anthems of the United States, Canada and Japan will be played. Among the students from New York’s Paul Smith College is one from Japan who will participate in the races. Bleachers are available for spectators and there is no charge to watch.

Races begin before opening ceremonies, however. At 10 a.m., a five-mile cross-country race begins at Black Mountain. Several viewing points will be cleared for spectators to watch racers make the loop three times to determine who can do it the fastest.

At Hosmer Field, a 1,500 meter walk begins at 11 a.m. Following the opening ceremonies, children’s races begin shortly after noon, followed at 12:45 p.m. by 100-, 200- and 400-meter sprints.

Medals and trophies for each race will be presented at a spaghetti supper at the Le Paresseux Club on Waldo Street at 5 p.m. Chairman of the North American Classic, Jim Tucker, is expected to speak at the awards ceremony.

Registration for any of the races takes place on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the 227 Waldo St. snowshoe club. Showshoes will also be measured for eligibility at that time. Except for very young children, snowshoes can be no wider than 8 inches or shorter than 25 inches.

People may also register on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the clubhouse. Children 12 and under pay a $3 fee; people 13 and up pay $6. The registration fee also includes supper. Registration forms can also be picked up at the club or at Port to Port on Congress Street.

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