Snowshoe fest coming!

THEY'RE OFF! — Snowshoers race for fun last year at the annual Norway Shoe & String Festival. The festival, which opens Thursday, February 7 through Saturday, February 9 this year,  features lectures, exhibits, games, and dance, including the nationally renowned duo Perpetual e-Motion. A presentation  Thursday evening, at the Norway Historical Society at 7 p.m., will introduce participants to the history of Mellie Dunham and the festival. On Friday there will be a reception at Fare Share on Main Street Norway, at 6 p.m.  Saturday morning will feature snowshoe games and races from 10 a.m. to noon at Roberts Farm Preserve, 64 Roberts Road, Norway.  The games are free and are for all ages and include a three-legged race, musical chairs, 100 yard dash, 1k trail run, egg and spoon race, and the world’s only snowshoe wife carry. A Lasagna Supper from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Norway Grange, will provide fuel for two contra dances Saturday: From 4 to 6 p.m  an introduction to Contra Dancing and from 7 to 9 p.m., serious contra dancing  with the nationally famous duo Perpetual e-Motion – both at the Grange.