No Can-Am Races? Here's What Is Still Happening In Fort Kent And Northern Maine!
2024-02-27

No Can-Am Races? Here's What Is Still Happening In Fort Kent And Northern Maine!

Fun is still happening in Fort Kent and Aroostook County this week despite the sled dog races being canceled for the Cam-Am Crown.

With the Can-Am sled dog races themself on an unexpected hiatus due to an unseasonal lack of snow, many of the area's other planned events will continue this weekend and fun invites you and the whole family to Fort Kent and Northern Maine. As the community adapts, the spirit of adventure remains bright, inviting both locals and visitors to make memories and to prove that even without the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race, Northern Maine is Maine's best winter. Live entertainment, great restaurants, and family fun are still taking place! Won’t you join us?

Even without the sled dog races of the Can-Am Crown, Fort Kent and Aroostook County are buzzing with activities this week. Check this out! We are still looking forward to your visit!

Events Still Taking Place

  • Watch a play. Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit at UMFK Fox Auditorium
    • 7:00 PM on Thursday 2/29 - Saturday 3/2
  • Live Music. Charlie Ouellette performs at First Mile Brewing
    • 6:00 PM on Friday 3/1
  • Beautiful art. UMFK Student Art Show
    • 1-6:00 PM Friday 3/1 - Sunday 3/3
  • Father-Daughter Dance at the Fort Kent Knights of Columbus Hall
    • 7-9:00 PM on Friday 3/1
  • Townhall meeting with Troy Jackson
    • 6-7:00 PM on Friday 3/1
  • Dance the Night away. DJ Brandon at JD’s Tavern in Fort Kent
    • 9-1:00 AM on Saturday 3/2
  • Live Music. Boomerang the band will play at Lonesome Pines
    • 7-11:00 PM on Friday 3/1
  • Find a Book. Used book sale at Fort Kent Public Library
    • 10-2:00 PM on Saturday 3/2
  • Hot Breakfast. Martin Klein American Legion Post #133 Breakfast Smorgasbord
    • 7-10:00 AM on Saturday 3/2
  • Dog Sledding. A short fun run will start and finish at Two Rivers Lunch in Allagash
    • 9:00 AM on Saturday 3/2
  • Hot Breakfast. The Grand Isle Knights of Columbus are cooking at the Grand Isle Community Center
    • 7-9:00 AM on Sunday 3/3
  • Live Music. Denis Dube is entertaining the crowds at the Grand Isle Community Center
    • 5:00 PM on Sunday 3/3

Allagash

Dog Sled Fun Run

Many teams of dogs and mushers are in the region now as the teams often arrive before race day to prepare and condition for the big day. The Can-Am may be canceled, but you can still spot the sled dog teams on the trails around the St. John Valley. The teams will hold a fun run race which will trace 42 miles of the Allagash Loop, The winner is treated to a free meal at Two Rivers Lunch. The race will begin Saturday at 9am at Two Rivers Lunch, 75 Dicky Road, Allagash, Maine. This event canceled 2/29/24

Fort Kent

Downtown Stroll

A stroll through downtown Fort Kent will delight you with warm and inviting shops and friendly restaurants as music from the town's new speakers serenades you– it’s quite lovely! Three distinct landmarks may be enjoyed downtown and are the perfect backdrop for a quick selfie: The Fort Kent Block House of the Aroostook War, a large painted mural of the St. John River crossing, and America’s First Mile.

Ice Skating

Fort Kent has a lit outdoor ice-skating rink for you to strut your stuff on. Enjoy $2 skate rentals available from 12-5:00 PM. You can travel 16 miles to the rinks on Long Lake in St. Agatha where just last week six separate rinks were popping for the Acadian Pond Hockey Classic. Family skating is also open at the Madawaska Multi-Purpose Building with Saturday open skate 1-3:00 PM and 6-8:00 PM, Sunday little tikes skate 10-12:00 PM, and open skate 1-4:00 PM admission is $5 and rentals are $1.

Skiing

Great family skiing at value prices starting at $20 all weekend at Lonesome Pine Ski Area in Fort Kent. The ski hill is open Friday 3-9:00 PM, Saturday 9-9:00 PM, and Sunday 9-4:00 PM and is located adjacent to downtown on Forest Street. Boomerang will share their sound as they perform at the ski lodge from 7-11:00 PM Friday. This is a family focused ski area with a snack bar, rental equipment, and lit trails. Never skied before? No worries,-many people learn to ski for the first time here!

Nordic skiing conditions are still good at the Fort Kent Outdoor Center with five miles of trails groomed for both skate skiing and classic. The warming center offers restrooms and rental equipment. A group snowshoe tour on Sunday, March 3rd starts at 1:00 PM and costs $10. travel to additional ski trails just 18 miles down the road at the Four Seasons Trail Association in Madawaska. Here, you will find six miles of meticulously maintained skate and classic trails and an awesome sledding hill – one of the best in Maine!

Van Buren, Maine

The Gateway Snowmobile Club invites families to a fun day for the Van Buren Spring Fling with a free hot dog roast, outdoor snow games spectacular, groomer rides, and door prizes for the first 150 kids. Come Play! Van Buren, Maine is about 41 miles east of Fort Kent, Maine. The action takes place at Gros Bens 4-Corners at the bottom of Poplar Street in Van Buren, Maine 11-4:00 PM Sunday, March 3rd. This event canceled on 2/27/2024

Caribou, Maine

The 2024 Caribou SnowlBowl will continue February 28th through March 3rd for all Snowmobile and winter enthusiasts to enjoy. All races planned for Spud Speedway have moved to the Aroostook Centre Mall (830 Main Street, Presque Isle, Maine) Caribou, Maine is about 44 miles southeast of Fort Kent, Maine. The Big Rock Mountain Hill Climb will not take place due to warm weather (it may be rescheduled later this winter). The community sled run “Brian’s Ride” is canceled. While conditions are not favorable to these few events of the SnowBowl, we are happy to announce the rest of the SnowBowl is going forward as planned. Make sure to go out and support our local eateries during the Restaurant Rumble on Thursday. On Friday night plan to attend a magical evening as we transform the Caribou Performing Arts Center into a Las Vegas Quality Magic show featuring Kent Axell. Saturday and Sunday everything will go on as planned to feature SnoCross Racing, the Rave X stunt show, demo rides, the Groomer Rodeo Competition, Vintage Sunday Sled Show, parade, races, vendors, and food trucks. This is all happening at a new location at the Aroostook Centre Mall where there is plenty of great snow. We are looking at a warm forecast for Saturday and Sunday for everyone to come out and enjoy the events at the Aroostook Centre Mall and downtown Caribou.

Mars Hill, Maine

Bigrock Mountain in Mars hill is the largest family ski area in northern Maine. Mars Hill, Maine is located about 71 miles south of Fort Kent, Maine. Skiing will be open March 1-3rd while tubing will be open March 2nd and 3rd. The LL Bean Bootmobile will be on site on Saturday 3/2. The ski area features rentals, lodge, bar, and a restaurant.

Culinary Delights Throughout the Region

The region is known for amazing mom-and-pop run restaurants, most of which have been family-owned and operated for generations. A visit to the region may bring new dishes and recipes into your consideration – have you sampled poutine or ployes? These are just two simple dishes you can try, but a few favorite places to dine include:

About the Can-Am Crown

As of February 25th, the 2024 Can-AM races have been called off pointing to snow and ice conditions. The Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races, held annually in Fort Kent, Maine, is one of the most prestigious sled dog races in North America. The event features a series of races, including the iconic 250-mile Iditarod qualifier, attracting world-class mushers and their teams from across the globe.

Support The Can-Am International Sled Dog Races

The races will return in 2025, but you can support the races and the organization by purchasing memorabilia and souvenirs today. A variety of hats, sweaters, key chains, and more can be found in-store at Performance Printing & Design on West Main Street in Fort Kent or online at www.can-am-crown.net. Your purchase ensures this Maine tradition continues each March!

Questions about the cancelation of the Can-Am International Sled Dog Races may be forwarded to the Can-Am through Andrew Birden here, this article was not written or endorsed by the Can-Am in anway.

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