NORWAY — The Annual Norway Maine Snowshoe Festival takes place Feb. 10-12, featuring a unique exhibit of historic Norway-made and native North American snowshoes and Paris Manufacturing Co. sleds, skis, and wagons.

Recognized in 2012 by the Maine Downtown Center as a uniquely Maine festival, the Norway Snowshoe Festival returns for its seventh year to celebrate Norway’s rich cultural heritage of arts and crafts.

Activities include:

• Snowshoe walks, races and games for adults and children;

• World Championship Snowshoe Wife-Carry;

• Fireman’s Invitational Snowshoe Tug-of-War; and

• Mellie Dunham/Henry Ford Contra Dance.

Norway, once self-proclaimed as “The Snowshoe Town of America” was home to four major snowshoe industries between 1850 and 1980: Dunham, H.H. Hosmer, Snowcraft and Tubbs. Norway snowshoes took Adm. Robert Peary to the North Pole, Adm. Richard Byrd to the South Pole and supported our U.S. troops during World War I and World War II.

Mellie Dunham was not only the first commercial snowshoe maker in town, outfitting Peary’s expedition to the North Pole — he was also a renowned fiddler, who was commissioned by Henry Ford to play traditional fiddle music across the country. In honor of Mellie’s talents, the Norway Snowshoe Festival always involves a contra dance in addition to athletic and family-friendly outdoor snowshoe events.

This year’s Mellie Dunham/Henry Ford contra dance will be held Saturday, Feb. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m at the Norway Grange, where Mellie and fellow snowshoe maker Nate Noble often performed.

Honoring the festival, an exhibit of Norway-made, Norway-owned snowshoes will be on display at Café Nomad and at the Norway Brewing Co. throughout February. Chocolate snowshoes made by Maine Gourmet Chocolates and snowshoe valentines with Mellie Dunham lyrics will be available at Café Nomad and at Books ‘n Things.

Feb. 10-12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Pa’s Antique Attic, 1192 Main St., Oxford: Norway-made Snowshoes and Paris Manufacturing Co. Special Exhibit. Paul Cote of Pa’s Antique Attic has assembled a unique exhibit of his exceptional collection of over 300 pairs of Norway-made, Maine-made, and Native North American-made snowshoes. In addition, he will be exhibiting the best of his Paris Manufacturing Co. collection, including early painted sleds, skis, childrens’ wagons and doll carriages.

A $3 contribution is requested. Proceeds will benefit the Norway Food Pantry. Free coffee will be provided by Route 26 Antiques.

Friday, Feb. 10
6 p.m., Full Moon Snowshoe to Summit of Noyes Mountain.

The festival will start at 6 p.m. on Friday with a full moon snowshoe to the summit of Noyes Mountain in Greenwood. Anyone wishing to attend should dress warmly, bring a headlamp, and meet in the parking lot of the Ripley Building, 193 Main St., Norway. We’ll carpool to the trailhead. If you need snowshoes, call 207-739-2124 to reserve a pair. The snowshoe trail is safe and physically challenging.

Saturday, Feb. 11
9:30 a.m., Roberts Farm Preserve: 2.5K, 5K and 10K snowshoe races

The United Way of Oxford County will hold the “Cupid Dash” snowshoe races, at Roberts Farm Preserve, 64 Roberts Road, Norway at 9:30 a.m. $20. All proceeds benefit the good works of the United Way. Snowshoes available upon request. Onsite registration opens at 9 a.m. Online registration for the Feb. 11 race or the 5K series, runsignup.com/race/me/southparis/rockpaperscissors5kseries. Valentine’s Day costumes appreciated.

Saturday, Feb. 11
Noon, Roberts Farm Preserve: World Championship Snowshoe Wife Carry

The Norway Brewing Co. and True Strength Athletics are teaming up to sponsor the World Championship Snowshoe Wife Carry. This is a 250-yard dash with obstacles. Sponsored by Norway Brewing Co. and True Strength Athletics. Win wife’s weight in locally brewed beer! Both partners must be over 21, and couples do not need to be married. Cost is $30 and registration is on site or online 
www.runsignup.com/Race/ME/SouthParis/RockPaperScissors5KSeries.

Saturday, Feb. 11
1 p.m., Roberts Farm Preserve: Snowshoe Agility Fun Events for Adults and Kids

Sponsored by True North Adventureware and Tubbs Snowshoes. Free.

Our annual family snowshoe games include musical chairs, sprints, egg and spoon, agility courses and family sled pulls. Snowshoes are available on site.

Saturday, Feb. 11
2 p.m., Roberts Farm Preserve: Fireman’s Invitational Snowshoe Tug O’ War

Minimum 6-person teams. Entrance fee $20 per team. Onsite registration. Winning team takes all for their town’s fire department. Snowshoes available.

Saturday, Feb. 11
6 to 8 p.m., Norway Grange: Mellie Dunham/ Henry Ford Dance 

Sponsored by Ripley and Fletcher Ford and the Norway Historical Society. Pam Weeks on fiddle, Bill Olson calling. A donation of $5 to $10 requested. The dance is suitable for all ages and experience levels. No street shoes permitted on the dance floor. 

This year’s festival received support from The Norway Brewing Co., Norway Downtown, The Norway Historical Society, Healthy Oxford Hills, True North Adventureware, True Strength Athletics, the Western Foothills Land Trust, and the United Way of Oxford County.