There's no fest like Snofest

February 03, 2008|Short hops, Marty Basch, Globe Correspondent

GREENVILLE, Maine - There's no hibernating in this part of the remote northern woods during the Moosehead Lake Region's annual nine-day Snofest. The Feb. 9-17 event showcases winter outdoor life from the barks and howls of a sled dog team to the thunder of snowmobiles on parade. The cries of mushers urging their canines through downtown Greenville start the festivities with the 100-Mile Sled Dog Race on Feb. 9. Indoors at the Community Center, the Maine chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club holds a Saturday snow-tracking workshop and on Sunday shows a film about Mount Katahdin. A cross-country ski race for kids is also scheduled that day.

The festival reignites Feb. 15 when the 300-member Moosehead Riders Snowmobile Club hosts the annual Chili and Chowder Cook-off at the club's Scammon Road headquarters. Outdoor fun continues on Family Fun Day Feb. 16. Guided snowmobile tours of the mountains and lakes, snowmobile games, and a pond-side barbecue are planned. The Chocolate Festival on Feb. 17 at the Masonic Temple on Pritham Avenue will feature cakes, truffles, and a chocolate fountain.

Snofest, Feb. 9-17, Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce, 158 Moosehead Lake Road (Route 15), Greenville, Maine. 888-876-2778. mooseheadlake.org. Many but not all activities free. Chocolate Festival adults $10, children $5. Directions: Greenville is about 240 miles or about five hours from Boston. Take Interstate 95 north through New Hampshire and into Maine to Newport exit 157. In Newport, take a left on Route 7 to Dexter. In Dexter, make a left on Route 23 to Guilford. In Guilford, take a left for Route 15 north to Greenville. Continue until a five-way intersection. Take a sharp right to stay on Route 15. It is about 26 miles to the flashing light in downtown Greenville.

MARTY BASCH