Norway board approves annual Sno-Fest permit

NORWAY — An application from the Norway Trackers for the annual Sno-Fest was approved unanimously by selectmen at their meeting January 3.

The outdoor festival is scheduled to take place January 26 and 27 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Little Red Schoolhouse on Lake Pennesseewassee.

Proceeds from the event will go toward trail grooming and maintenance of nearly 50 miles of trails throughout Norway, said president of the snowmobile club, Diane Gammon. 

"It's pretty much the same as it's been for the last 12 to 15 years," she told selectmen. 

"I don't recall we've ever had any complaints," said Selectman Bill Damon. 

Every year, the annual Sno-Fest draws thousands of attendees, from snowmobile enthusiasts to observers, to participate in drag races and radar runs on the lake. Refreshments will also be available. 

Last year the event was cancelled due to unsafe ice conditions. Gammon said she hopes the weather will be more favorable this year. 

This year Gammon said the event will include "quite the out-turn of antique sleds," unlike year's past. 

"We usually have the antique sleds but they just parade around and are voted on," Gammon said, but this year they've expressed an interest in racing.

"It always seems like a great event and has always brought a lot of people to town," said Selectman Russ Newcomb. 

Participant fees will be reduced this year due to the club not teaming up with the Maine Snowmobile Drag Racing Association to inspect sleds before the race, Gammon said. 

The entry fee for drag racing on the ice track is $20 and $15 for the snow track. Radar runs are $5 or $20 for five runs.

In other news, the board:

• Heard a prayer from Selectman Mike Twitchell to start off the new year. 

• Expressed appreciation for the highway crew's satisfactory job plowing so far this winter, particularly on Greenwood Road. 

• Appointed Saara Leduc to the recreation committee.