Happy Thursday! At this point in the season, we like to take stock of all the winter activities that we’ve managed to do, and look to the ones we haven’t gotten around to yet. Downhill skiing? Check. Cross-country skiing? Obviously. Ice skating? Oh, yes. However, dog sledding continues to elude us. Need inspiration to make your dog sledding dreams a reality? Check out this article from the New York Times’ Go Wild! series, about a dog sledding excursion on Lake Umbagog near the New Hampshire line, with guides Polly Mahoney and Kevin Slater, who we joined on a similar adventure several years ago. Need more winter activity suggestions or dog sledding inspiration to take advantage of before the spring thaw? Here’s our roundup for this weekend in Maine: 

Something to Do: 

Itching to get outside and play in the snow? Check out the 7th annual Norway Snowshoe Festival this Saturday! Created in celebration of Norway’s snowshoe heritage, the event will include 2K, 5K, and 10K snowshoe races, a corn toss biathlon, a tug of war competition, and plenty of hot chocolate to go around. Put on your snow pants and your gameface, and hit the snow! 

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: 64 Roberts Rd., Norway

Somewhere to Go: 

Whether you’re new to cross-country skiing or consider yourself a veteran of the sport, everyone can get excited about a scavenger hunt on skis. This Sunday, head to the Oxbow Beer Garden in Oxford for Find it for Climate, a family-friendly event presented in partnership with nonprofit Protect Our Winters (POW). Head out on Oxbow’s trail network for the scavenger hunt, and then make your way back to the brewery for ice carving demonstrations, music, a vendor village, and, of course, pizza and beer. Tickets cost $10 per person, and all proceeds go to POW. 

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: 420 Main St., Oxford

Something to Eat: 

Are you planning a trip to the midcoast this weekend? Be sure to make a stop in Searsport on Friday for the grand opening of gastro dive bar and gallery Hey Sailor! A new venture from the team behind the Hichborn in Stockton Springs, Hey Sailor! will keep your taste buds on their toes with a globally inspired menu featuring a focus on the West Coast–style taqueria, craft cocktails, and a curated beer and wine list. Plus, the gallery’s opening exhibit will feature the work of Maine artist Frederick Kuhn. 

When: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays
Where: 25 E. Main St., Searsport

Something to Drink:

Sure, Valentine’s Day has gone by, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop celebrating! This weekend, toast your sweetheart with “My One and Only,” a newly released sour red ale from Allagash Brewing Company. With notes of fresh berry, cherry, apple, pear, and caramel, this beer pairs beautifully with a romantic winter evening. 

Where: 50 Industrial Way, Portland

Something to Look Forward to:

Do you have little ones who will be home for February vacation next week? Keep them excited and engaged with the ArtLab February Vacation Video Series by the Center for Maine Contemporary Art! Check back each morning for videos featuring ArtLab educators Alexis Iammarino and Mia Bogyo and guest artist Rachel Alexandrou leading fun art activities and instructional prompts. To participate, you and your children will need paper, water-based paints, brushes, colored pencils, oil pastels, a straight edge, scissors, and a glue stick. 

When: Monday, February 21 to Thursday, February 24

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