NEWRY – Seasonal transition traditions take center stage this weekend with the offbeat April Fools’ Pole, Paddle and Paw Race.

The 22nd annual race, which is also known as Newry’s April Fools’ Season Transition Triathlon, begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Sunday River Inn and Cross-Country Ski Center off Sunday River Road. Registration is from 9 a.m. to noon, with a pre-race meeting at noon.

Racers, in two-person teams must ski a 4-kilometer Nordic ski course, paddle a canoe down the icy Sunday River for two kilometers, then snowshoe one kilometer to the finish line. Tradition calls for participants to dress in wacky costumes.

“There is usually terrible skiing, lousy canoeing, and rotten snowshoeing, but everybody has a good time,” said co-organizer Steve Wight.

Racers must provide their own equipment or call ahead for limited rentals. There are no restrictions on equipment except that all racers must wear an approved personal flotation device during the paddling segment, said co-organizer Eric Boyle-Wight.

Wight said the concept behind the race is to transition from Nordic skiing and snowshoeing to canoeing and kayaking.

“It’s a celebration of spring,” he added.

Garb and wackiness play a big part in the race.

“Dressing in costume has become tradition, along with lots of silliness and laughs – don’t forget your sense of humor,” Boyle-Wight said.

Past costumes have ranged from light bulbs and electric plugs and polar bears to gorillas and African head hunters.

“You name it, we’ve had everything,” Steve Wight added.

Boyle-Wight said that Nathan Alsobrook and Doug Bruce have won the event for the past three years.

“By tradition, if a team wins the race three years in a row, they have to provide a new trophy for the race the next year. So we look forward to the unveiling of the new Pole, Paddle and Paw trophy this year,” he added.

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