NEWRY – Sunday River Ski Resort is to host the fifth annual North American Wife Carrying Championships starting at noon Saturday, Oct. 9.

The event is part of the annual Fall Festival weekend, which is to feature live entertainment from the Boston-based band Entrain, a brewers’ festival, craft fair, scenic chairlift rides, and children’s activities.

Also, the 17th annual Summit Challenge, a run, walk or hike race to the summit of Locke Mountain from South Ridge Base Lodge begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 10. Registration for the event is from 8 to 9:45 a.m.

Daily events and activities run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m Sunday, Oct. 10.

In the zany, athletic wife-carrying event, couples navigate a 278-yard obstacle while the man is literally “carrying” the woman.

“Women are allowed to carry men, as well, but so far, there have been no such teams,” said resort spokeswoman Susan DuPlessis.

The teams do not have to be composed of married couples, but they must be a man and a woman, and both must be at least 21 years old to enter.

DuPlessis said the method of the carry is the competitors’ choice, though most use the “Estonian” carry, where the woman holds the man around the waist and tightens her legs around his neck, thereby freeing the man’s hands.

This year’s grand prize is to include a round-trip ticket to Finland to the World Wife Carrying Championships, in addition to the traditional prize of the wife’s weight in Redhook beer.

Previous participants have included Oklahoma state winners and the Canadian national champions. This year, DuPlessis said, the Connecticut state champs are expected to enter as well.

The Sunday River event typically attracts a crowd of 1,200 spectators and approximately 30 teams from the Eastern Seaboard and as far away as California. Teams have included honeymooners, couples celebrating anniversaries, and last-minute collaborations.

DuPlessis said the legend behind the contest is based in Finnish history. In the 19th century, the infamous Ronkainen the Robber had high qualifications for men he accepted into his band.

They had to complete a difficult course with a heavy sack on their backs, she said. It was also not uncommon for men to steal women from neighboring villages. The first modern-day event was held in 1991; foreign contestants were admitted in 1995. Qualifying events are also held in Sweden and Estonia.

People may obtain more information on the Fall Festival or register for the racing events by going to www.sundayriver.com or by calling DuPlessis at 824-5243.