Winterfest Auburn 2020 is among the many opportunities for fresh air and exercise this winter and spring in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties.
Highlights of the Auburn festival Jan. 25-27 include Lost Valley Ski Area discounts, a torch parade and live music.
Baxter Outdoors will host its annual Winter Duathlon, a snowshoe hike is set for Mount Apatite and Family Funday with skating, sledding, hot chocolate and food will be held at Sherwood Heights Elementary School.
In addition to outdoor events, the three counties offer music, magic and chances to support your favorite charities through activities. Below is a sampling:
DECEMBER
29/Sunday
Patriots game Super Bowl party giveaway 1-4 p.m., Gridiron Restaurant, 1567 Lisbon St., Lewiston. Winner of party for 20 guests to be drawn after game. lametrochamber.com
29/Sunday
Kids Rule Day at Mt. Abram Ski Area, 308 Howe Hill Road, Greenwood, photo scavenger hunt, obstacle course; magic show and kids’ karaoke 6-8 p.m., main lodge. mtabram.com
JANUARY
1/Wednesday
Community Day at Mt. Abram Ski Area, Greenwood, students and residents of SAD 17, SAD 44 and RSU 10 ski for $10. Discounted lessons and rentals available. mtabram.com
2/Thursday
Baxter Ski Race League, 6-8 p.m., every Thursday through March 5, Lost Valley Ski Area, Auburn. lostvalley.com
4/Saturday
Apres Ski Party with musician Denny Breau, 3-6 p.m., Loose Boots Lounge, Mt. Abram Ski Area, Greenwood. mtabram.com
4/Saturday
Double Entendre performs live duo acoustic tunes, 3-6 p.m., brewpub, Lost Valley Ski Area, Auburn. Lost Valley Brewing Co. beers on draft. lostvalley.com
5/Sunday
National Winter Trails Day, 1-4 p.m., Carter’s XC Ski Center, 786 Intervale Road, Bethel. Free rentals and trail passes for beginners. cartersxcski.com
5/Sunday-8/Wednesday
Sugarloaf Mountain Children’s Festival includes fireworks and ice cream parties. Lodging and lift ticket deals will be available. sugarloaf.com
5/Wednesday-10/Monday
Sunday River Ski Resort Children’s Festival, Newry, kids ages 3-12 ski free, stay free, and get free lessons and rental equipment. Activities include fireworks, snow tubing and nighttime entertainment. sundayriver.com
8/Wednesday
Free performance by Magician Magic Fred, 7 p.m., Grand Summit Hotel, Sunday River Ski Resort, Newry. sundayriver.com
10/Friday-12/Sunday
Sugarloaf Together weekend celebrates the LGBTQ community with nightly theme parties and family-friendly events. Discounted lodging packages available. sugarloaf.com
11/Saturday
Toby McAllister of Sparks the Rescue fame performs live acoustic tunes, 3-6 p.m., brewpub, Lost Valley Ski Area, Auburn. Lost Valley Brewing Co. beers on draft. lostvalley.com
18/Saturday
Cousin-B performs live acoustic tunes, 3-6 p.m., brewpub, Lost Valley Ski Area, Auburn. Lost Valley Brewing Co. beers on draft. lostvalley.com
23/Thursday
Rangeley Chili/Chowder Cook-Off, 5-7 p.m., The Gingerbread House Restaurant, Oquossoc. Kicks off Snodeo Weekend. rangeleymaine.com
23/Thursday
Snowmobile Club Snodeo Weekend Casino Night, 6:30 p.m., Bald Mountain Camps, 125 Bald Mountain Road, Oquossoc. rangeleymaine.com
24/Friday-27/Monday
Maine Adaptive Veterans No Boundaries four-day winter sports retreat. maineadaptive.org
25/Saturday
Fat Bike the Valley, noncompetitive group ride on local trail networks, starting and ending at Lost Valley, free to participate. Limited fat bike rentals by pre-registration. lostvalley.com
25/Saturday
Toby McAllister of Sparks the Rescue fame performs live acoustic tunes, 3-6 p.m., brewpub, Lost Valley Ski Area, Auburn. Lost Valley Brewing Co. beers on draft. lostvalley.com
25/Saturday
Rangeley Snodeo, full day of snowmobiling events, including Rock Maple X Country Races & Tame the Track Vintage Racing beginning at 9 a.m. at Steven Bean Municipal Airport. Rave X Show at Boss Power Equipment, 2 p.m. Parade, 5:30 p.m. from Rangeley Inn followed by fireworks on the lake. rangeleymaine.com
25/Saturday-26/Sunday
Sugarloaf Charity Summit to raise money for the fight against cancer includes Climb for a Cure, Amos’ Army, the Sugarloaf Charity Ball, a raffle and live and silent auctions. Proceeds go to the Dempsey Center, Maine Cancer Foundation and the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center. sugarloaf.com
25/Saturday-27/Monday
WinterFest Auburn 2020, various venues, torch parade, live music, snowshoe hike, skating, sledding, food. auburnmaine.gov
25/Saturday-26/Sunday
New England Telemark Festival, Mt. Abram Ski Area, Howe Hill Road, Greenwood, all levels of experience. mtabram.com
26/Sunday
5th Annual Fat Tire Bike Loppet, 10 a.m., Rangeley Lakes Trails Center, 524 Saddleback Mtn. Road, Rangeley. rangeleymaine.com
26/Sunday
Community Day at Mt. Abram Ski Area, Greenwood, students and residents of SAD 17, SAD 44 and RSU 10 ski for $10. Discounted lessons and rentals available. mtabram.com
26/Sunday-27/Monday
Special Olympics Maine Winter Games at Sugarloaf Mountain. specialolympics.org
31/Friday
Opening of Pond Hockey Festival, all day, Haley Pond, Rangeley. Continues through Sunday, Feb. 2, all day. rangeleymaine.com
FEBRUARY
1/Saturday
Carrabassett Fat Tire Race at Sugarloaf Mountain, short course 9-10 miles begins at 10:15 a.m.; long course 18-20 miles begins at 10 a.m. Advance registration, $45; day-of, $55. sundayriver.com
1/Saturday
Molly Gawler performs Droplet Dance, an integration of dance, theater and acrobatics, 7 p.m., Emery Community Arts Center, UMF campus, 111 South St., Farmington. artsfarmington.org
1/Saturday
Chef Summit at Sunday River Ski Resort, Newry, brings 12 top chefs from Maine and across New England for one-night culinary event. Cocktails available. Details to come. sundayriver.com
1/Saturday
Apres Ski Party with musician Denny Breau, 3-6 p.m., Loose Boots Lounge, Mt. Abram Ski Area, Greenwood. mtabram.com
1/Saturday
Ben Kilcollins performs live acoustic music, 3-6 p.m., brewpub, Lost Valley Ski Area, Auburn. Lost Valley Brewing Co. beers on draft. lostvalley.com
7/Friday-9/Sunday
LGBTQ White Out Weekend, Sunday River Ski Resort, Newry, in association with OutRyders, New England’s largest LGBTQ ski and snowboard club. Special events and parties. Details to come. sundayriver.com
7/Friday-9/Sunday
Fire on the Mountain Festival celebrates the Grateful Dead with New England tribute bands playing day and night on the Beach, Sugarloaf Mountain, Carrabassett Valley. Tickets $20-$35. sugarloaf.com
8/Saturday
Bald Mountain Camps Annual Fly-in, noon to 4 p.m., 125 Bald Mountain Road, Oquossoc. Planes from all over New England land on Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Meals served inside and outside. rangeleymaine.com
8/Saturday
Flying Moose Classic, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Bethel Inn Resort. 20k, 10k and 2.5k youth Nordic races hosted by Bethel Outing Club. Lasagna lunch. Online registration. skireg.com/flying-moose-classic
8/Saturday
Wild, Wild West Weekend, Mt. Abram Ski Area, 308 Howe Hill Road, Greenwood, cowboy and cowgirl apparel encouraged, bull riding, lasso contest, race. mtabram.com
9/Sunday-12/Wednesday
Maine Adaptive NEVI*Fest four-day specialty camp offers skiing and snowboarding lessons for people with visual impairments, Sugarloaf Mountain, Carrabassett Valley. Lessons and equipment provided at no cost. maineadaptive.org
9/Sunday
Community Day at Mt. Abram Ski Area, Greenwood, students and residents of SAD 17, SAD 44 and RSU 10 ski for $10. Discounted lessons and rentals available. mtabram.com
11/Tuesday
Uplift LA and LA Metro Chamber Newcomers Night 5-6:30 p.m., The Pub at Baxter Brewing, 120 Mill St., Lewiston. Networking event free and open to the public. lametrochamber.com
15/Saturday
World Record Snowmobile Ride for cystic fibrosis, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Bald Mountain Camps, Oquossoc. $10 donation. fightcf.org
15/Saturday
Annual Children’s Festival, free, sponsored by Franklin County Children’s Task Force, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Mt. Blue Campus, Seamon Road, Farmington, hands-on activities, music, low-cost food court. fcctf.org
16/Sunday
5th Annual Winter Paloozah, free, 10 a.m., Haley Pond Park, Rangeley. Activities include horse and wagon rides, ice skating, pond hockey, curling, sledding, skiing, snowshoeing. Campfire and marshmallow roast. Hot lunch available 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. rangeleymaine.com
16/Sunday
Torchlight Parade and all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner, Mt. Abram Ski Area, 308 Howe Hill Road, Greenwood, proceeds benefit Mt. Abram Ski Club scholarship fund. mtabram.com
20/Thursday
Internationally known magician and illusionist Jason Purdy, 5:30-8 p.m., Grand Summit Hotel, Sunday River Ski Resort, Newry. Adults, $10; children 5-12, $5; kids 4 and under, free. sundayriver.com
22/Saturday
Annual Sandy Fitch and David Gilpatrick Memorial Ski Races, Mt. Abram Ski Area, Greenwood, registration 10 a.m. at main lodge, races start at noon on Boris Badenov trail, $10 per person. Benefit for the Maine Cancer Foundation. mtabram.com
22/Saturday
Mt. Abram Ski Club Auction, 5-7 p.m., Mt Abram Ski Area, Greenwood, benefits scholarship fund. mtabram.com
MARCH
4/Wednesday-8/Sunday
Maine Adaptive Mono-Ski Training Camp, Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry and Sugarloaf Mountain in Carrabassett Valley. maineadaptive.org
6/Friday
Downhill 24 at Sugarloaf Mountain, Carrabassett Valley, 9 a.m., for children of all ages, fundraiser to expand Winterkids programs to most rural parts of Maine. winterkids.com
7/Saturday
Father/daughter dances, fundraisers for Franklin County Children’s Task Force, 6-9 p.m., Spruce Mountain Middle School gym, Jay, and Strong Elementary School gym, Strong. $12 in advance (covers father and daughter), $15 at the door. fcctf.org
7/Saturday
25th Annual Rangeley Lakes Loppet, 8:30 a.m., Rangeley Lakes Trails Center, 524 Saddleback Mtn. Road, Rangeley. Includes 21k Burt Kettle Classic, 21k and 24k freestyle races and 21k untimed tour. rangeleymaine.com
14/Saturday
Concert on the Ice, 5-10 p.m., Bald Mountain Camps, Oquossoc. Music, food, campfire. Weather permitting. sundayriver.com
15/Sunday
7th Annual Moose Dash Snowshoe Race, 10:30 a.m., Rangeley Lakes Trails Center, Rangeley. 5k junior, 5k adult, 5k untimed tour and 1k kids’ runs north of Saddleback Mountain. rangeleymaine.com
21/Saturday
Maine’s Got Talent, 7-10 p.m., Franco Center Performance Hall, 46 Cedar St., Lewiston. Artists compete for cash prizes. Celebrity judges to be announced. Reception 6 p.m. francocenter.org
22/Sunday
Maine Maple Sunday, sugarhouses open across the state, free samples, demonstrations, games, tours, treats, music. mainemapleproducers.com
28/Saturday
Maine Brew Fest, Sunday River Ski Resort, Newry, nearly 100 craft beers and ciders. Free concert, 3-7 p.m. Tickets required, ages 21 and over. sundayriver.com
29/Sunday
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, presented by The Maine Music Society, 4 p.m., Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 122 Ash St., Lewiston. Tickets available online. mainemusicsociety.org
29/Sunday
Eat the Heat Chili Cook Off, noon-2 p.m., White Cap Lodge, Sunday River, Newry. $1 per sample. Proceeds benefit The River Fund. sundayriver.com
APRIL
1/Wednesday
Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, 7-9 p.m., Franco Center, 46 Cedar St., Lewiston. General admission $20. francocenter.org
3/Friday-5/Sunday
Spring Festival, Sunday River, Newry, parties, music, barbecues. Details to come. sundayriver.com
4/Saturday-5/Sunday
Vacationland RV & Camping Show, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Norway Savings Bank Arena, 985 Turner St., Auburn. Adults and children over 8, $8; children under age 8, no charge; $2 discount for donating two nonperishable food items per ticket. mainecamp.com
9/Thursday-12/Sunday
Reggae Fest at Sugarloaf Mountain, Carrabassett Valley. Tickets on sale in 2020. Ski and stay packages will be available. sugarloaf.com
11/Saturday
State Street Jazz, 7:30 p.m., Nordica Auditorium, Merrill Hall, Main and Academy streets, University of Maine at Farmington. artsfarmington.org
11/Saturday
Pond-A-Palooza pond-skimming competition, 11 a.m., Sunday River, Newry. Prizes up for grabs. sundayriver.com
18/Saturday
East Coast Pond Skimming Championship at Sugarloaf Mountain, Carrabassett Valley. Details available in 2020. sugarloaf.com
18/Saturday
Great Tailgate Party, Barker parking lot, Sunday River, Newry. Live music, food and games. Rain or shine. sundayriver.com
25/Saturday
4th Annual Best Dog on Earth Day, 10 a.m., celebration of dogs and Earth Day fun run. Start and finish at the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce (6 Park Road). Shelter dogs available for adoption. Border Patrol agents to give talk on canine handling. rangeleymaine.com
25/Saturday
Central Maine Heart Walk, 9:15 a.m., Simard-Payne Memorial Park, Lewiston, fundraiser for American Heart Association. www2heart.org
26/Sunday
5k Dash for Dogs/Strut Your Mutt, fundraiser for Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, 9 a.m., 55 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston. runsignup.com
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