With two first-ever festivals, there won’t be a lack of things to do in the Western Mountains this weekend. Carrabassett Valley’s Summer Festival will be on Saturday, and Rangeley will hold its Black Fly Festival on Sunday.
Carrabassett Valley
Karen Campbell and several of her friends have talked about a Carrabassett Valley festival for years.
“There needs to be more going on in Carrabassett Valley in the summer,” she said.
The events center around Campbell’s KC’s Kreativity Center, the airport and the Carrabassett Inn, all within walking distance of each other.
The Jud Strunk – Dick Ayotte Fly In will be ongoing at the Sugarloaf Regional Airport. A radio-controlled-airplane group will give demonstrations, and there will also be glide planes and plane rides, Campbell said.
A juried art show will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at KC’s Kreativity Center. Covering arts and crafts, the show will include everything from stuffed animals and puppets to quilts and furniture, jewelry and handmade bags and clothes.
Artisans will also give demonstrations throughout the day.
A music festival will take place from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday behind the Carrabassett Inn. Acoustic guitar player Dave Mallet will headline and the Mill City Ramblers as well as several local bands will play.
“This is a good community fundraising, warm, fuzzy event,” said Campbell, adding that money raised will go toward the town’s scholarship fund. While there is no admission, the group will raise funds through corporation donations and 50-50 raffle tickets.
Black Fly Festival
Rangeley has a number of festivals throughout the summer, but Black Fly Festival planners thought the town needed an earlier start on the season.
“This is sort of flying in the face of the tradition that July 4 is the start of summer in Rangeley,” festival coordinator Carol Sullivan said.
The event will also serve as a way to introduce more people to the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center at 524 Saddleback Mountain Road. The center was established last fall and was “up and running for ski season,” Sullivan said, adding that the trails are open to non-motorized recreation during all four seasons.
Festival headquarters will be at the trails center. To properly celebrate the change of seasons from black flies to flowers, attendees of the Black Fly Festival in Rangeley will receive free bug repellent.
The festival begins at 10 a.m. and offers family activities, arts and crafts until 4 p.m.
“Over the River n’ through the Woods” will be the theme for the treasure hunt at 10:30 a.m. Prizes will be given to those who complete the course. The Rangeley Rock Rash Ramble mountain bike race begins at noon. The course is suitable for the whole family, and racers get a T-shirt for participating. Cost is $15 per person for both events.
The Maine Hysterical Society, a comedy variety act, will serve as the evening entertainment, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Club House Restaurant on Main Street. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Call the Rangeley chamber, 864-5571, for tickets.
Proceeds will benefit the building fund for a permanent lodge for the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center.
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