RANGELEY – Celebrate the Maine outdoors in Rangeley this Labor Day weekend. On Friday evening beginning at 7 p.m., watch outdoor film greats on the silver screen inside the Rangeley Inn. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., participate in free events, games, music, exhibits for all happening at Haley Pond Park on Pond Street, near the Ecopelagicon Nature Store.
The Sept. 2 Friday Night Film Festival at the Rangeley Inn, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., will offer films selected by the Maine Outdoor Film Festival organization, as well as free snacks. Donation is $5, $2 for Appalachian Trail (AT) hikers and for children under 12.
On Saturday, Sept. 3, free games, contests, and fun activities for people of all ages will take place on Pond Street. Play the outdoor game that’s exciting folks the world over; called “mini-Rogaine or “trivia orienteering,” people learn outdoor skills during this scavenger hunt-like event. Enter the raffle to win outdoor equipment, such as clothing and day packs. Visit the exhibit on the history of Main Street at the Rangeley Historical Society Museum, just across the street. Try your luck in the Ice Cream Eating Contest, the favorite event of the Festival, sponsored by Maine’s own Gifford’s Ice Cream (free to AT hikers, others $2). How fast can you eat a pint of “Muddy Boots”? Later, gather around the campfire for a marshmallow roast.
Famed singer-songwriter and guitarist Denny Breau will entertain from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Born to popular country performers Hal Lone Pine and Betty Cody, he began playing guitar when he was nine and was performing professionally by his early teens. Able to mix genres such as folk, Delta blues, country, and jazz with ease, Denny is also known for “scorching fingerwork” that he balances with the “quiet intimacy” of his songs. He counts Chet Atkins, a family friend, as a major influence. He has performed with many well-known artists and was a member of Turkey Hollow with Tom and Dave Rowe. In 2004, Denny was inducted into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame, their youngest inductee. To hear Denny’s music, visit http://dennybreau.com
All day, the Trail Town Festival will feature outdoor-oriented organizations that protect and maintain trails, and educate about safe and healthy outdoor activities. This year’s participants include Maine Appalachian Trail Club, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Trails for the Rangeley Area Coalition, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, High Peaks Alliance, Maine Huts & Trails, Maine Appalachian Land Trust, Ecopelagicon, SnowSource, and Rangeley Health and Wellness.
Artists and crafters whose work highlights outdoor activities will line Pond Street, including Billdad Soap with their “Hiker’s Blend” and Catherine Kimball’s Appalachian Trail jewelry. The BMC food truck will be available right at the festival, and many Rangeley restaurants within walking distance will be open, too.
Rangeley is one of only 35 towns along the 2,180 mile Appalachian Trail to be named an official “Appalachian Trail Community.” The town received this honor from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to honor Rangeley as a community that actively protects all of its natural, cultural, and recreational resources, including the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Georgia to Mt. Katahdin. For more information on the Rangeley Trail Town Festival, call Linda Dexter at Ecopelagicon, 864-2771; join us on facebook; and visit our website: http://rangeleytrailtown.com
