RANGELEY — The Appalachian Trail Conservancy will celebrate the official designation of Rangeley as the newest Appalachian Trail Community from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15.

The event at Haley Pond Park is free and open to the public.

Several demonstrations will be held throughout the day that focus on outdoor safety, preparation and ethics, said Julie Judkins, ATC community program manager, in a Sept. 7 news release.

Festival participants will have the opportunity to learn about wilderness first aid, primitive survival skills and Leave No Trace principles.

The AT Community designation ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. at the Haley Pond gazebo.

Honored guests and speakers include Mark Wenger, executive director/chief executive officer of the ATC; Judy Morton, executive director of the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce; Tim Kane, town manager of Rangeley; Hawk Metheny, New England regional director of the ATC; Clare Long, National Park Service liaison for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail; Carole Hass, executive director of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust; and Dan Simonds, a member of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club.

A variety of local outdoor clubs and organizations will have booths set up along Pond Street throughout the event. Other festival highlights include a hiker reunion, an ice cream eating contest, a bonfire and a street dance.

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to celebrate communities that are helping to protect and promote the Appalachian Trail,” Judkins said.

“These new partnerships will increase local stewardship of public lands, support community initiatives for sustainable economic development and conservation planning, as well as support healthy lifestyles for community citizens,” she said.

The Appalachian Trail Community is a new program of the ATC, the nonprofit responsible for management and protection of the Appalachian Trail.

Launched in 2010, Judkins said this program recognizes and thanks communities for their part in promoting the Appalachian Trail as an important local and national asset.

“The support and hospitality the town of Rangeley provides to Appalachian Trail hikers reinforces Maine’s commitment to this national treasure,” said Lester Kenway, president of the MATC.

“We have been thrilled with the amount of support for this new partnership,” said Judy Morton, executive director of the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

“From educators to businesses to town government and the Appalachian Trail community, people in Rangeley are really pulling together to make this an outstanding celebration of the Appalachian Trail,” she said.

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the completion of the Appalachian Trail. Rangeley and Monson are the only two Maine communities officially designated as Appalachian Trail Communities.

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Rangeley Appalachian Trail Community Designation Festival Schedule:

Activities

* 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Boot throw and fox walking.

* 2 p.m. — Through-hiker and section-hiker reunion.

* 3 p.m. — Ice cream eating contest

* 6 p.m. — Bonfire and street dance with bluegrass band Sandy River Ramblers.

Demonstrations

* 10:30 a.m. — Wilderness first aid, NorthStar EMS

* 11 a.m. — “What To Do If Lost,” Reggie Hammond, Maine game warden.

* 11:30 a.m. — Leave No Trace, Steve Masse, MATC caretaker for Piazza Rock shelter on the Appalachian Trail.

* Noon — Trail food, Steve Masse and John Towey, former Appalachian Trail through-hikers.

* 12:30 p.m. — “Land Acquisition and the Future,” Carole Hass, executive director of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust.

* 2:30 p.m. — “Condition Your Body,” Jeff Hawksley with Rangeley Region Health and Wellness.

* 4 p.m. — High Peaks Alliance, Ben Godsoe with High Peaks Alliance.

Book-signings

* 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — David Field, “Along Maine’s Appalachian Trail.”

* 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Drew Barton, “Land Acquisition and the Future.”

Appalachian Trail Community Designation Ceremony, 1 to 2 p.m.

Outdoor exhibits from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will include the MATC, Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, High Peaks Alliance, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, Rangeley Ski Club, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Rangeley Lakes Region School Outing Club, Hyperlite Mountain Gear and Primitive Survival Skills.

For more information, write [email protected] or contact Julie Judkins of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at 828-254-3708, ext. 11 or [email protected].