RUMFORD — The annual International Fire, Police and Military Winter Games tournament, The Maine Event, Battle on Ice, is scheduled to run over the Martin Luther King weekend beginning Friday, Jan. 16, at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee, 190 Birch St., Lewiston.

On the 16th, games will also be played at the Norway Savings Bank Arena, 985 Turner St., Auburn. Mayor Jonathan LaBonte of Auburn will drop the ceremonial puck at the new ice arena at 9 a.m. Friday, to commence the tournament.

This is the fifth-year anniversary of the tournament. The three-day event will consist of two days of qualifying all competing teams for the title of gold, silver and bronze medals and trophies for Sunday’s championship games.

The tournament hours are as follows: At the Colisee, Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:20 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by the awards and closing ceremony.

Games at the Norway Savings Bank Arena will be on Friday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with games on both sheets of ice.

For 2015, the IFPMWG is welcoming new teams to the competition. Sixteen teams will be facing off to bring home the gold on Sunday.

The teams from Maine this year are Lewiston Police Department, Maine Fire, Maine Air National Guard, Sanford Police and Maine Army National Guard.

Traveling teams are Somerville Police Department (Massachusetts), Somerville Fire Department (Massachusetts), St. Louis County Police (Missouri), Old County Police & Fire (Massachusetts),  CT Guns Hockey Club, Jersey City PD Enforcers (New Jersey), NYPD Old-timers, New Brunswick Canadian Police, U.S. Marines, Fallon Ambulance and Maryland FOP 89ers.

Single day tickets are $10 per day and $15 for a three-day tournament pass good for all 48 games, including the championship day games on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at the door at both venues. All military in uniform will be admitted for $5 per day. Group rates are available.

Proceeds from all ticket sales, raffles and prizes will benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children – Boston.

“We are extremely happy growing our tournament from our original six teams to 16 teams this year,” said Brenda Espinoza, executive director. “The greatest joy about putting this event together is watching the camaraderie and team spirit that all skaters bring each year to play, which creates a platform for us to raise money for the children at the Shriners Hospital in Boston, a cause dear to our hearts.”

To help raise money for the Shriners Children, raffle tickets will be on sale during the tournament for an assortment of prizes. They will be $1 each, $5 for eight tickets or $10 for 15 tickets. You do not need to be present to win.

Rowe Ford Auburn is providing a little fun with a raffle to “shoot to win” for a change to win $500 and win or lose, participants will receive a $50 gift certificate at their Quick Lane Tire & Service at either location in Westbrook or Auburn.

Most of the out-of-state teams will be staying at the host hotel, The Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn. Thursday evening they will provide a welcome get-together for the athletes, family and friends, kicking off the 2015 Maine Event Battle on Ice, where first responders, public safety officers and the military athletes will battle it out on ice for bragging rights and the opportunity to win the 2015 championship title.

Throughout the tournament, parties are planned at Gritty’s in Auburn and Pedro O’Hara’s in Lewiston. Spectators will be invited to the parties when they show their hockey day ticket or tournament pass.

The IFPMWG is an all-volunteer group, including Lou Doucet, Margate/Coconut Creek Fire Rescue, retired; David Saphier, PA-C medical officer, Mexico and Dixfield Fire Departments; Jeffrey Clark, 911 dispatcher, Maine State Police; Jim Theiss, detective, Lewiston PD; Gary Baillargeon, Sabattus Police Department; Tom Avery, State of Maine chief field investigator; Deputy Christina McAllister, Oxford County Sheriff’s Department; and Christine Lee and Bob Vallee.

For more information, contact Brenda Espinoza at 207-357-5697. Daily updates will be available at www.ifpwg.com.

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