U.S. National Toboggan Championships Marks 20th Anniversary Amid Week-Long Celebration of Winter, Ice and Snow
Camden, MAINE (January 20, 2010)-At the 20th annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships, you'll find that everything goes, in the name of good, clean fun. Costumes come out and themed teams gear up for good old-fashioned wackiness and competition, as they prepare to rocket down a chute adjacent to a ski, snowboard and tubing facility that boasts a unique mountaintop view of the ocean.
Where else can competitors, some who have never seen snow, vie for the top spot? There will be no ticket to the Vancouver Winter Olympics for winners; this is the world's top competition for tobogganers. While handmade mahogany trophies are the prize, it's the bragging rights racers are really seeking.
The U.S. National Toboggan Championships is open to 2-, 3- and 4-person teams riding traditionally shaped wood toboggans that "drop" onto the 400-foot-long, 70-foot-high, ice-filled chute reaching speeds of up to 40 mph before sliding out across frozen Hosmer Pond.
"This year's Winterfest and the U.S. National Toboggan Championships are the must-see and be-seen-at events of the season here in New England. Experiencing this year's Ice-Stravaganza will challenge your sense of adventure, with good old-fashioned winter fun," said Daniel Bookham, executive director of the Camden Rockport Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce. "It's one of the few winter events where you'll find it is as much fun to watch as it is to participate."
Begun 20 years ago, the Toboggan Nationals (http://camdensnowbowl.com) will be held Feb. 5-7. It comes as the culmination of more than a week-long schedule of activities during the 2010 Ice-Stravaganza taking place in the popular Midcoast resort area of Camden, Rockport and Lincolnville.
"Families, couples and those looking for outdoor adventure will find a host of activities for varying ages and abilities designed to let our visitors experience all things Maine. Winter is an amazing time, and nowhere is it showcased better than in the Midcoast, where the mountains meet the sea," said Bookham.
2010 U.S. National Toboggan Championships
Where: Camden Snow Bowl, Camden, Maine
When: February 5 - 7
Media Day January 29, 10:30 a.m., interview organizers, bring a video crew, take a ride down the chute!
The U.S. National Toboggan Championships, held at the Camden Snow Bowl, is the only organized wooden toboggan races in the country and most likely the world. Each February, racers of all ages and abilities from around the country compete for the coveted honor of U.S. National Champion, with all race proceeds benefitting local youth activities and the Camden Snow Bowl.
2010 Camden Hills 8th Annual Winterfest Ice-Stravaganza
January 30- Community Ice Carving at the Harbor Park, Amphitheatre: All day
Snow Ball Dance at the Rockport Opera House: 6:30 p.m.
Moonlight X-Country Skiing at Aldermere Farm: 6:30 p.m.
January 31- Global Cinema Visions at the Camden Opera House: 2 p.m.
International Film Festival Afternoon at the Movies
February 4 - Musical: The Cause at the Camden Public Library: 7 p.m.
February 5-7- U.S. National Toboggan Championships
February 6 - Inaugural Snowman Triathlon at the Penobscot Bay YMCA For more: http://www.penbayymca.net/YourYMCA/Happening.html
Fireworks on the Camden Harbor: 6 p.m.
AudioBody at the Camden Opera House: 7:30 p.m. For more: http://www.camdenoperahouse.com/events.cfm
Other Events Include: ski movies, cross-country ski races, art exhibits, cooking classes, furniture-making demonstrations, wine tastings and much more.
For more information on events in the Midcoast area visit http://www.visitcamden.com/events/ and search by date or type of event.
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