FARMINGTON – With warmer temperatures predicted for this weekend, organizers of the sixth annual Farmington sled dog races expect lots of spectators.

Mushers and dogs will race on Bussie York’s fields off routes 2 and 27 Saturday and Sunday when members of the Downeast Sled Dog Club meet and compete from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

One class involves sleds with eight to 18 dogs each. They compete over trails covering 10 miles, up the fields along the Sandy River, said organizer Joy Turner of Wilton, who along with husband, Mark, and their family bring the races to Farmington each year.

“It’s quite a sight to see,” she said of the after-lunch class that runs up behind the Farmington Motel where there’s opportunity for viewing.

Four-dog teams travel about 4 miles while other classes of six and eight dogs go closer to 6 miles on trails packed by snowmobiles, she said. While most teams favor the Alaskan husky breed because of their speed, Siberian huskies and other breeds also make up the teams.

While a dog can only run in one race a day, it can take part in another spectator-friendly class, a one-dog, 50-yard race for kids that takes place during lunch, she said. There are no winners but the race is timed and children as young as 3 participate.

“As long as they can hold on to the sled,” she said. Each receives a certificate.

Another recreational run, called a skijor, involves a dog pulling a skier. It’s the last class each day.

“They make it look easy but it’s not. I cross-country ski but with this there is no brake,” she said.

The two-day event averages approximately 45 teams with nearly 300 dogs participating. Some mushers allow people to pet their dogs but expect to be asked first. The dogs can be pretty excited while waiting to race, she said.

The event is free and parking is available. Donation buckets are posted in the lot to help defray expenses. Turner’s brother, Michael, will have concessions including breakfast sandwiches available on the grounds.

The Turners have solicited $2,000 in prizes from area businesses. A graphics class at Mt. Blue High School pulled advertisements for the businesses into a program that lists the classes and times, she said.