Husky News

With plenty of snow, skijorers and mushers couldn’t ask for better conditions when they come to Franklin County this weekend.They’ll arrive in Farmington for the fifth annual sled dog races on Saturday. Herbert “Bussy” York has opened the fields on his farm for the day’s races. The farm, on Routes 2 and 27, is half an hour from Norridgewock and about five minutes from downtown Farmington.

The day will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m., according to organizer Joy Turner. She and her husband, Mark, expect teams of dog sledders from Maine, New England, and Canada. Some come from as far away as Prince Edward Island and Michigan, she said. On a good year, more than 70 teams have competed, and this year, she hopes to welcome that many to Farmington.

“We’ll start the first class at 9 a.m., and we’ll continue until 3 p.m., depending on how fast we finish the races,” she said.

Mushers, as dog sled racers are called, can compete as amateurs or as professionals. Cash purses will be awarded to the “pros,” she said. Amateurs, or “sports,” race for points and prizes.

All racers who want to compete must be members of the Down East Sled Dog Club, and Turner said attendees can pay the $15 membership dues at the races. There is no admission fee for the general public, but donations are welcome.

A fun part of the day, Turner said, will be the Farmington Frolic. Mushers will run four dogs on their team at the starting bell, harness them to the sled, and complete a race.

“We might have some fun with the mushers by requiring that they put booties on each of their dogs,” Turner said with a laugh.

The longest race will be across York’s fields and behind the Farmington Motel in a 10-mile loop. Several different types of races will run concurrently during the day. One style of racing is called skijoring, in which racers are pulled on skis behind one- or two-dog teams.

“Even a little kids can participate in this, but everyone has to bring skis,” Turner said.

Parking will be available along the road and on the farm property, and food vendors provide snacks and beverages. For more information, call Mark and Joy Turner at 645-2864.

Source: Morning Sentinel