RUMFORD — Sleigh rides, dog sled rides, music and food, along with the Maine Ski Challenge Series Final competition are a few of the events taking place at the Black Mountain of Maine Third Annual Winterfest this weekend.

“It’s a huge event,” Jen LeDuc, the mountain’s program manager, said. “It is one of our most successful events.”

During past years, hundreds of people from throughout the state and area have taken part in the Winterfest that begins Friday, March 4, with the Becky Shaw Memorial Ski Day.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., all lift tickets will cost $10, and from 6 to 9 p.m., lift tickets will cost $5. All proceeds will go toward the Para-optometric Association to help those who wish to begin a career working with an optometrist.

Shaw of Bethel worked with her husband, Lenny, in his optometry office for many years before she died in an auto accident. She was also an avid skier.

Also on Friday, music by performers Jewel Clark and Donnie Katlin will be provided during dinner and beverage specials in the Cafe and the Last Run Lounge.

Saturday brings scenic lift rides to the top of the mountain and an a la carte barbecue lunch at the top, snowshoeing, and horse-drawn sleigh rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the afternoon, a sled run is scheduled, a prime rib dinner will be served, and music by Noel Palmer will be performed.

At 8:30 p.m., a torch light parade of skiers down the mountain, then a fireworks display will begin. There is no admission for the parade and fireworks, but donations will be accepted at the gate.

Sled dog rides, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., are among the many events set for Sunday. Snowshoeing or taking the ski lift to the top of the mountain will again be offered. From noon until sold out, a chili and chowder cook-off will take place in the lodge, and from 2 to 5 p.m., a music jam will be performed in the Last Run Lounge.

Also on Sunday, Black Mountain will host the Maine Ski Challenge Series Final from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It features the top four racers from each of 18 divisions from competitions held from Dec. 26 through Feb. 27 at Black Mountain, Lost Valley and Spruce Mountain. The racers will compete for prizes and for the right to race in the New England Ski Challenge Final at Mount Snow, Vermont, on April 2.

The three-day Winterfest will end with a bonfire and s’mores from 3 to 4 p.m.

“This is Rumford and Black Mountain at its best,” LeDuc said.

For a more detailed listing of events and prices, log onto skiblackmountain.org

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