A firework show over Camden Harbor, a snow plow parade along Main Street and a pick-up hockey game on Hosmer Pond are among the extra events planned for the 25th U.S. National Toboggan Championships, Feb. 6-8 at the Camden Snow Bowl. This year, event organizers have teamed up with the Camden WinterFest Committee to offer more outdoor winter fun during the races.
“It truly is — the buzzword is — the Mardi Gras of Maine,” said Holly Edwards, chairman of the Toboggan Nationals. “It’s the atmosphere. It doesn’t matter how cold it is or all the snow we have to slog through, once you’re out there in that huge group of people, you’re warm and happy and everyone’s having a good time.”
An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 people attended the 2014 competition, Edwards said, with 425 toboggan teams competing. The event is a celebration of traditional wooden toboggan racing,
“We’ve figured that 425 teams is the max we can run and get the event done in a timely manner, without running late into the night on Friday and Saturday,” Edwards said.
This year, those 425 slots have already been filled and registration is closed.
A variety of teams compete in the Nationals, from serious racers who build their own sleds to first-time racers who pick up loaner sleds available at the bottom of the chute. Then there’s a big group of participants who are more competitive when it comes to their racer costumes. Their creativity and flare is applauded and judged during the costume parade through “Tobogganville,” a makeshift town of tents and vendors at the base of the chute.
For those participating for the first time, here’s what to expect: Flying down a 400-foot-long chute at speeds up to 40 miles per hour, then shooting out onto the frozen Hosmer Pond to plow through the snow until the sled slows to a stop or tips over.
Goggles and helmets are recommended for racers but not required. A list of tips for racers and attendees is available in the U.S National Toboggan Championships program booklet, which will be available at the event and online at online.fliphtml5.com/gmir/crsg/#p=1.
Don’t forget to bring cash for shuttles or parking, food and drinks and official U.S. National Toboggan Championships merchandise.
“It looks like the weather’s going to be fantastic on Saturday — like 30 degrees (Fahrenheit) with the occasional snow shower,” Edwards said. “We’re going to be slammed — which we love.”
Edwards suggests people use the shuttles traveling between Camden’s Village Green and the Snow Bowl if they can. She predicts parking at the Snow Bowl will be filled by 8 a.m. Saturday.
“It’s going to be a lot less frustrating to stand in line and ride a bus,” Edwards said. “Plus there are beautiful snow sculptures on the Village Green from last weekend that you can look at while you wait.”
Plow trucks will be working throughout the week to clear the Snow Bowl parking area and a route to the toboggan chute. Event organizers may post a call for volunteers to help shovel areas the plows can’t reach, such as the steps leading up the chute and the chute itself, Edwards said. They also may ask for assistance from local snowmobilers to pack down the snow on Hosmer Pond, where attendees set up tents and campfires during the races.
“We have a boatload of snow out here,” she said.
The original toboggan chute at the Camden Snow Bowl dates back to 1937, and in 1991 it was rebuilt and officially dedicated as the Jack R. Williams Toboggan Chute. That year, the first U.S. National Toboggan Championships were held, an event created by Ken Bailey, who was the Camden Parks and Recreation director at the time.
The three-day competition and celebration wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of dozens of volunteers who work year-round to plan, prepare and manage the event. Also, a number of sponsors, vendors and advertisers have dedicated their resources to the special weekend.
“Many people have put their heart and soul into making this happen each year,” Edwards said.
Nationals will start Friday with team registration and toboggan inspections. The toboggan chute will be open to the public, conditions permitting, for $5 per person. Other events scheduled Friday include the Down the Chute Beer & Wine challenge and optional first runs for the 2- and 3-person teams. That evening, the Banff Mountain Film Festival will start at 7 p.m. at Strom Auditorium at Camden Hills Regional High School and the Camden Winterfest is hosting a downtown dance at 8 p.m. at Peter Ott’s Restaurant.
Another new feature of Camden’s winter celebration is the Frost Heave Challenge, for which local bars and restaurants have created special winter-themed drinks to be judged by the public all weekend.
“You can go around and try these winter-themed drinks and vote on them online, or there are entry forms at each of the places that people can fill out,” Edwards said.
Saturday is typically the busiest day of the Toboggan Nationals. Team registration and toboggan inspection is held from 7a.m. to 11 a.m., with 2- and 3-person teams taking to the chute as early as 8 a.m. The Chili Challenge will be held from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. The costume contest parade is scheduled for noon, with the first runs for 4-person teams starting directly after.
Awards will made to the first, second and third place teams with the best costumes, determined by a panel of judges.
Also taking place on Saturday will be a pick-up pond hockey game on Hosmer Pond (near the toboggan chute) and a Snow Plow Parade at 5:30 p.m. down Main Street in Camden. That evening, fireworks will start at 6:15 p.m. at Harbor Park. Also, the Banff Mountain Film Festival will begin at 7 p.m. at Strom Auditorium at Camden Regional High School.
Sunday will start with a pancake breakfast held from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the West Bay Rotary tent in Tobogganville. Second runs for 4-person teams will starts as early as early as 9 a.m.
The World Championships — 4-person winning teams for the past 25 years — will be held at 11:30 a.m. Each team will be given one run only. The fastest team wins.
The final runs for the Nationals will begin around noon and will include the top qualifying teams of each division. The award ceremonies is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Tobogganville.
Special awards will go to the fastest all female team, high school team (all members from the same school), college team (all members represent the same college) and kid’s team (4-8th grade). A special award will also go to the oldest team.
For an online flipbook about the U.S. National Toboggan Championships, which includes the full schedule, details about the events, tips for participants and a list of past race winners, visit online.fliphtml5.com/gmir/crsg/. To stay up to date about the event, “like” the U.S. National Toboggan Championships on Facebook and search #toboggannationals on Twitter. For more information, visit www.camdensnowbowl.com.
