Featuring Monson's antique Snow Roller pulled by a team of Belgian Horses; an Ice Fishing Derby; a Snow Sculpture contest; loads of sporting events for kids & adults such as Kick Sled races; an Art Exhibit by six local artists; a sunset Tug-of-War by the great bonfire on Lake Hebron; food; a raffle & much more. Don't miss it!

Pick up a Snow Roller Day events brochure at Monson Town Office or other local stores or view details on Monson's website http://www.kynd.net/monson/Promo/SnowRollerPromo.html

Snow Roller Day is a real collective effort by Monson's community groups and businesses to celebrate the very best of winter in a day of fun. Monson's 'Snow Roller Day' used to take place one Saturday a year each winter, the last one being ten years ago. Monson's Snow Roller was pulled through the town by a magnificent team of Belgian horses, signaling the start of winter sports events against teams throughout the region.

This March 6th 2004 huge Belgian horses owned by Travis Gould of Ripley will once again head Monson's impressive Snow Roller through the town, triggering the start of Monson's Winter Carnival festivities which includes events such as kick sled racing. The kick sled is historically significant to Monson as kick sledding in North America originated from the town's Scandinavian roots.

The Town Manager Jeanne Reed and Chair of the Monson Recreation Committee, Glen Clawson, decided in November 2003 that it was time to restage Monson's traditional winter festival. They approached various members of the community to help them but most importantly Jim Wentworth of Moosehead Manufacturing and John Tatko of Sheldon Slate, who are at present helping to restore the approximately one-hundred-year-old mechanism in preparation for the March 6th event.

There are many other exciting events scheduled for March 6th including a Snow Sculpture contest. Monson applicants should register for this event with Monson's Town Office before 4pm on March 5th. Monson Community Church will be serving a yummy Pancake Breakfast from 7 � 9 am. Monson's Historical Society will be selling refreshments (plus T-shirts and hats) from Monson's Museum at 10 � 2 pm. Dover-Foxcroft's Project Graduation will be providing a delicious lunch between 11.00 � 1.00 pm in the school gym and Monson's United Church of Christ will be putting on a tasty baked bean supper between 5 � 6.30pm.

The day's contests begin at 6.00am with the American Legion's Ice Fishing Derby on Lake Hebron. If you want to take part in the 'Poker Run' at 10 � 12 pm organized by Narrow Gauge Snowmobile Club, you must register on the day at Monson's Boat Landing. (Monson's Recreation Committee will be selling chili and biscuits on the lake from 10 � 2 pm in their third annual 'Chili Run'). There will be humorous races such as the snowshoe jump-rope competition. Monson's kid's basketball team will be competing against Greenville in Monson's school gym at 3pm. At dusk, before the Tug-of-War, the large bonfire on Lake Hebron will be lit and Master of Ceremonies John Wentworth will award to the girl, boy, woman and man who has achieved the highest accumulated points through out the day, a Snow Meister Trophy. Moosehead Manufacturing and Sheldon Slate are donating the wood for the fire, which will be monitored by Monson's Volunteer Fire Department.

Many of the community are getting involved with events for the occasion. At Lake Hebron Artisans' exhibition window, a fine art exhibition celebrating Monson's 'Winter Carnival' is to open on February 21st � March 28th, part sponsored by RadioRain Productions. The participating artists all have a special connection to Monson Maine, they are John Bozin, Alan Bray, Milt Christianson, Lisa Laser, Bruce Towl and Todd Watts. The exhibit can be viewed 24 hours a day from the sidewalk.

There is also to be a raffle to raise money for next year's Snow Roller Day. Those donating gift certificates and items include Spring Creek BBQ (open 12-4 pm on March 6th); A. E. Robinson's; Monson General Store; C. & G. Variety; Moosehead Manufacturing; Sheldon Slate; Lake Hebron Artisans; Burt's Bees; the Corner House; Shawn Bolens who is donating a handcrafted hunting knife; Chris Hall who has made a Snow Roller Quilt in honor of the 2004 event; and Angie Turner who is donating a Pampered Chef gift.

Monson Snow Roller Day is going to be fabulous entertainment for all ages. Pick up your schedule of the day's events from the Monson Town Office and other local stores. The Town of Monson hopes to see you on March 6th.