A skijoring team competes in 2023 during the Skijor Skowhegan competition as part of Somerset SnowFest at the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds. The annual Somerset SnowFest returns for another year, beginning Saturday. Skijor Skowhegan is set for Feb. 22. Morning Sentinel file

SKOWHEGAN — The annual Somerset SnowFest is set to return to Skowhegan for another year, timed nicely with a weather forecast that includes more snow.

Back for its seventh year, the town’s yearly celebration of wintry fun is expected to draw thousands to activities from Feb. 15-22.

The grand finale and flagship event, Skijor Skowhegan, drew an estimated 3,500 people last year, said Mollie Sharples, marketing and events manager at Main Street Skowhegan, the local economic revitalization nonprofit.

“I think Skowhegan is the perfect place to have these landmark events like that,” Sharples said. “We’ve got the places for people to stay. We’ve got the places for people to eat. And we’re growing and we’re up-and-coming, so it’s exciting to kind of provide something to continue that growth.”

This year’s lineup of events, organized by Main Street Skowhegan and Lake George Regional Park, in collaboration with several local businesses and groups, is similar to previous years.

The full schedule of events can be found online at somersetsnowfest.org.

All events are free to attend and open to the public, though some require registration in advance.

Activities kick off at 9 a.m. Saturday at Lake George Regional Park East, just over the town line on U.S. Route 2 in Canaan. On tap for that day are a kids’ box sled race, a downhill kayak race, ice skating and the Ice Hole World Championship.

Ice hole is like cornhole, but with a “frozen twist.” In the game, participants toss pucks across the ice into holes.

“It’s one of those things that’s going to explode at some point,” Darryll White, director of Lake George Regional Park, said. “It gained some great momentum last year.”

Events continue Sunday with an ice fishing derby at Lake George and horse-drawn sleigh rides at Coburn Park.

During the week, which is February school vacation week, most events are tailored toward children and families.

The Skijor Skowhegan competition at the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds during Somerset SnowFest in 2023. Morning Sentinel file

SnowFest wraps up Feb. 22 with Skijor Skowhegan, a competition that draws adrenaline junkies from around Maine and other states, as well as those who simply want to watch the unique sport with Scandinavian origins.

Skijoring consists of a time trial race in which a horse and rider pull a skier or snowboarder on a groomed track of jumps, gates and other obstacles. It is like a wintry version of water skiing, with a horse replacing the boat and snow replacing the water. There are multiple divisions and prizes at stake.

“I don’t know where else you get to see stuff like that, and it’s cool to bring it to Skowhegan, Maine,” Sharples said.

Parking at the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds at 33 Constitution Ave. for the skijoring event costs $20 per vehicle.

Groups collaborating to help put on SnowFest include Somerset Woods Trustees, Lakewood Golf Course and Somerset Public Health, Sharples and White said.

Sponsors include the Hight Family of Dealerships, Baxter Brewing Co., Redington-Fairview General Hospital, Hammond Lumber Co. and Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union.