JAY — Despite the blizzard-like conditions and single-digit temperatures, this year’s turnout at the 5th annual Spruce Mountain Sled-In and Family Fun Day at French Falls in Jay was “really good,” according to Jenny Boivin, Jay Recreation Committee member.
“There seems to be a lot of kids this year,” Boivin said.
With all the fun activities the Sled-In offered, it was no wonder there was such a good turnout. Participants could take part in sledding, a snow-sculpture competition and snowshoeing, as well as take a ride in a snowmobile-powered sled and enjoy s’mores by a bonfire.
Jay Police Chief Richard Caton stood at the end of the impressive hill and recorded sledders’ speeds with his radar gun.
“We’ve had an officer here every year,” Caton said as a rosy-cheeked boy came barreling down the hill. “The kids like it to figure out how fast they’re going.”
“You hit 14 mph,” Caton told the boy. “You were a little wobbly.”
The fastest speed Caton recorded was 18 mph.
Jay Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere said the event was going well but the snow sculpture competitors were having some difficulties due to the fluffy snow.
“We brought water bottles (to make the snow stickier) but they froze,” LaFreniere said, laughing.
Those who braved the cold to join the family fun could also enjoy a snowmobile pulling a sled around the ball field, not to mention the sausages and other mouth-watering delicacies committee member Justin Merrill was tending on the grill.
Boivin and the other Jay Recreation Committee members, who keep the proceeds of the Sled-In, were determined to make this year bigger and better.
“We wanted to make the sledding hill bigger, and we’ve been really working on the snowshoe trails,” Boivin said. “We added more miles, cut down brush, and put a lot of effort in the trail system.”
With the proceeds, Boivin said the committee plans to make the French Falls area more “nature oriented.” They want to add picnic tables, build up the nature trails and add more infrastructure.
“Something the doesn’t involve a lot of cash for maintenance, but still fun for the kids,” Boivin said.
Jay Police Chief Richard Caton stands at the end of the sledding hill and records the speed of the sledders at the 5th annual Spruce Mountain Sled-In and Family Fun Day in Jay on Saturday. The fastest speed ever recorded was 18 mph.
Attendees could enjoy a ride around the ball field on sleds pulled by snowmobiles at the 5th annual Spruce Mountain Sled-In and Family Fun Day on Saturday in Jay.
Jay Recreation Committee member Justin Merrill served freshly grilled goodies to attendees at the 5th annual Spruce Mountain Sled-In and Family Fun Day in Jay on Saturday.
Those who wanted to keep their hearts pumping and stay warm challenged their friends to snowshoe races at the 5th annual Spruce Mountain Sled-In and Family Fun Day on Saturday in Jay.