STRONG – Just call it Puddlefest.
The 2nd Annual Sandy River Paddlefest was held on Saturday, with the uninvited guest being Mother Nature. The heavy rain failed to dampen the spirits of festivalgoers, many of whom paddled canoes and kayaks for more than nine miles downstream.
Paddlefest was held on the American Legion Field on Route 4 in Strong. The festival, which was sponsored by local businesses and the Strong Area Business and Civic Alliance, began at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and continued until 5 p.m. despite the downpour.
Gary O’Brien was one of the principal organizers of last year’s Paddlefest, which he began to help “create a greater appreciation for this resource by promoting clean recreation on the river.” The first Paddlefest focused mainly on boating and was a huge success.
This year, local businesses and volunteers combined to bring many more activities to the festival. Mollyockett Trout Unlimited donated equipment so that instructors could teach fly-fishing and fly-tying techniques. The Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department stocked the Sandy River with trout, and local firemen cooked chicken on the barbecue for lunch.
The Sandy River Paddlefest was scheduled to take place during the Maine “Free Family Fishing Day.” This allowed people attending the festival to fish the trout-stocked waters without a license. Other activities included log rolling, boat races and a photography contest. Various games and races were held for children of all ages. Art and photos of local Maine wildlife also were on display.
Many people brought their own boats for the trip downriver from Strong to Fairbanks. Other kayaks were provided by All Season Adventures and Kayak Rentals. Owner and Maine Guide Peter Seavey, who led a group down the Sandy River, estimated that roughly 70 people had participated in the boating. His wife, Shelley Seavey, who also volunteered at Paddlefest, thought that the festival was “an awesome opportunity for people to get to know the Sandy River.”
The Strong-to-Fairbanks run is more than nine miles long and took roughly 2 hours for most people to complete. Despite the long distance and cold rain, those pulling their boats out of the water in Fairbanks said they had a great time.
Ron Jacques, who owns a local business sponsoring the event, the Ski Depot, agreed.
“Thought about not coming,” he says looking out at the heavy rain hitting the river, “then I said, you won’t melt, you’re not that sweet.'”
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