Winter carnivals this weekend

BY DOUG HARLOW

On Saturday, the 17th annual Lake George Regional Park winter carnival and ice-fishing derby begins bright and early with a breakfast from 4 to 9:30 a.m. at the Masons' Hall on Oak Pond Road.
"Snow and great ice will make conditions perfect for Saturday's events," said park director Jeff McCabe.
The annual ice-fishing derby is set to open at sunrise, just before 7 a.m. at the park on the Canaan Road, U.S. Route 2, east of downtown Skowhegan.
Registration for the derby starts at 4 a.m. at the breakfast and continues, beginning at 5 a.m. at the derby headquarters near the boat launch. The entry fee is $5 for all anglers.
Prizes worth more than $1,000 are being offered for fish caught in various categories and angler-age groupings.
Snow-shoeing and cross-county skiing demonstrations will be offered on the west side of the park, as well.
Registration and judging for a box-sled derby is set for 10 a.m. A marshmallow roast is scheduled for 11 a.m. on the west side of the lake, as is a chili cook-off. The chili must be in a metal pot for reheating and the entry fee is $5.
Food will be offered at lunch time at the west side office. An Operation Center tour and tea is slated for noon.
For more information call the park at 474-1292.
On Sunday, the Skowhegan Parks & Recreation Department is set to hold its fourth annual winter carnival from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Community Center off West Front Street.
Program assistant Mickey Hoyt said outdoor activities are set to include snow shoeing and horse-drawn wagon rides.
Activities inside the Community Center gym are to include games, a bounce house, face painting, cookie decorating, a coloring contest for the little kids and a bake sale. Hoyt said a new Wii gaming system featuring "Dance Dance Revolution" also will be offered in the gym for some of the older kids.
"We outgrew the conference rooms last year and moved into the gym," Hoyt said. "We try to add something new every year."
For more information of the winter carnival, call 474-6901.
Doug Harlow -- 474-9534, ext. 342