NORWAY — Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 15, as Western Foothills Land Trust hosts the 15th Annual Norway Snowshoe Festival! Featuring a variety of races, engaging activities for all ages, and the second Annual Norway Chili Contest, the festivities take place at Roberts Farm Preserve, 58 Roberts Road in Norway. Recognized in 2012 by the Maine Downtown Center as a uniquely Maine festival, the Snowshoe Festival celebrates Norway’s rich cultural heritage, from its musical arts to traditional crafts like snowshoe making.
Once known as “The Snowshoe Town of America,” Norway was home to four major snowshoe industries between 1850 and 1980: Snowcraft, Tubbs, H.H. Hosmer, and Mellie Dunham. Mellie Dunham was not only the first commercial snowshoe maker town, outfitting Admiral Peary’s expedition to the North Pole; he was also a renowned fiddler, commissioned by Henry Ford to play traditional fiddle music across the country.
The Festival begins on Saturday, February 15 at 10 a.m. with the adult 10k snowshoe race, followed by the adult 2k and 5k and kids 2k snowshoe races at 10:30 a.m. Prizes sponsored by Crescent Moon Snowshoes will be awarded. Registration for the race is $5 for youth and students, and $15 for adults. Pre-registration is encouraged; visit www.wfltmaine.org/snowshoe-festival for the sign-up link.
The festival also includes various activities and events for spectators and visitors.
The full schedule of events includes:
● 10 a.m.: 2k, 5k, and 10k Snowshoe Races start. Ring a cowbell and cheer on the participants!
● 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Norway Chili and beer tent opens to the public for tasting! Sponsored by Norway Brewing Company, come taste a variety of chili dishes with fresh-baked cornbread from Alan Day Community Garden.
● Enjoy a delicious beer from Norway Brewing Company to complement your chili. Vote for your favorite to win the People’s Choice award!
● 11:30 a.m.: Snowshoe Race award ceremony
● 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Live music and kids’ games while the chili and beer tent is open.
● 12:30 p.m.: Winners of the judged portion of the chili contest announced.
● 1 p.m.: Snowshoe Fashion Show. Strut your stuff on the snowshoe catwalk, with prizes awarded by Fiber & Vine in the categories of Vintage, High Fashion, and Handmade.
● 1:30 p.m.: Announcement of Fashion Show winners
● 2:30 p.m.: Announcement of the People’s Choice award for best chili and last call for beer before the festival closes at 3 p.m.
Throughout the afternoon, there will also be kids’ games including the 100-yard dash, pulk-pull, and musical chairs, all on snowshoes! Norway Brewing Company will provide popcorn and cider for all attendees. Snowshoes are available to the public all day long at the Roberts Farm Warming Hut. For those who would like to hit the trails during or after the festivities, Nordic ski gear will also be available to rent for free from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The 2025 festival partners include: Norway Brewing Company, Lights Out Gallery, Alan Day Community Garden, and Western Foothills Land Trust.
Festival sponsors include:
Maine Beer Company, Crescent Moon Snowshoes, Mainehealth, Cafe Nomad, and Fiber & Vine.
The full schedule of events can be found at www.wfltmaine.org/snowshoe-festival. For more information or to volunteer for the festival, email [email protected].