Bethel claims with some justification that it is Maine’s most beautiful mountain village – a four season recreational destination in the Androscoggin River valley and the Mahoosuc Mountains.It has celebrated its annual WinterFest in January in some unusual ways ..... in 1999 it created the World’s Tallest Snowman (113’7” tall) and in 2008 the community set another world record: the World's Tallest SnowWoman at 122'1".
Alas, Bethel won't have a tall snowwoman overlooking its WinterFest in 2010, but there will still be plenty to see and do. New at WinterFest, happening January 23-31, will be a large outdoor ice skating rink and a 200-foot square snow maze.
There will be guided snowshoe tours and free snowshoe demos, a free Nordic ski clinic at the Bethel Inn Resort, a giant snow sculpture and ice carving on the Bethel Common, horse drawn sleigh rides, and a winter triathlon with 2.5 kilometer uphill and down hill skiing legs and a 7 kilometer run. Children can build their own snow sculptures, hot air balloon rides will be offered, along with live music and a rail jam competition for skiers and snowboarders ... and not forgetting the Old Timers 10K Ski Tour at Carter's XC Ski Center.
For more information about top events in Maine take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Maine at http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-maine.html
Or, take a look at the official web site for Maine at http://www.visitmaine.com/
Photo courtesy Maine Office of Tourism