The second annual Rangeley Oquossoc Adventure Rendezvous (ROAR) and High Peaks PaddleFest will be held in Rangeley this weekend, June 20-22.
ROAR is a two-day, 40-mile paddling stage race hosted by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) with support from over a dozen local and state partners. The race showcases the lands and waters of Maine’s Rangeley Lakes region. The race is part of PaddleFest, a day of activities including music, food and a kids paddle.
The ROAR starts at Rangeley Town Cove Park. On day one, participants will paddle across the north side of Rangeley Lake and carry through Oquossoc past the fish hatchery and onto Lake Mooselookmeguntic. From there, they will continue across Mooselookmeguntic and south along the western shore to Upper Dam, then carry around Upper Dam to Richardson Lake. Day one ends with a paddle north on Upper Richardson Lake and finishes at Mill Brook Boat Launch. This stage is 20 miles with two portages totaling 1.2 miles. The second day of ROAR starts at the Mill Brook Boat Launch and reverses the course, finishing at Rangeley Cove Town Park.
Proceeds from ROAR will be used to support stewardship of the Maine sections of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and be invested back into the Rangeley Lakes communities.
Maine High Peaks PaddleFest is a celebration of paddling and the region’s lakes and mountains in Rangeley Town Park with local nonprofits, a Kids Paddle, food, libations and music by the Jason Mancine Trio Band. Activities will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 22.
The Kids Paddle is for ages 10-14 and will explore Town Cove on Rangeley Lake. This tour will be led by Registered Maine Guides and be approximately 1.5-2 miles. The Rangeley Adventure Company will have a limited number of kayaks available. Paddlers are welcome to bring their own. Register at the Rangeley Adventure Company at 7 Pond Street by 5 p.m. on Saturday if your child wants to participate. Boats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will include PFDs and paddles.
ROAR and High Peaks PaddleFest are sponsored by the NFCT, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, Rangeley Adventure Co., The Rangeley Inn, Rangeley-Oquossoc Chamber of Commerce, Maine Sports Commission, Maine Lakes & Mountains Tourism Commission, Saddleback Mountain and Morton & Furbish.
To learn more about ROAR and High Peaks PaddleFest, email info@northernforestcanoetrail.
