CAMDEN — Seasonably cold nightly air has settled into the Midcoast, portending a favorable start to the 33rd annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships, beginning Friday, Feb. 2, and running through Feb. 4. 

Logistics are in place, and registration for the two-, three-, and four-person toboggans closed Jan. 27. Competitors are local, but there is just as sizable a crowd coming from out-of-state: New England, New Jersey and New York, the Mid-Atlantic states, Washington, D.C., Kansas, Minnesota, New Brunswick.... It will be a national affair, with some Canadian Maritime representation.

Hosmer Pond ice is holding firm; as of Monday, the ice was eight to nine inches thick, said U.S. National Toboggan Championships Committee Co-chair Holly Anderson. That bodes well for running the sleds down the historic Camden Snow Bowl toboggan chute and emptying onto Hosmer Pond, as opposed to creating an alternative descent, as was the case last year. 

Ultimately, Committee Co-chair and Chutemaster Stuart Young will decide whether it is a go for the chute, and he is constant communication with the fishermen who have set up ice shacks on Hosmer, checking on the general state of the ice.

“Of course, using ice is at your own risk,” said Anderson. “But we won’t run the race unless we deem the area that we use is safe.”

Tobogganville, the area close to the chute where the main action occurs, will feature food trucks, including the Gunslingers BBQ and Ruckus Donuts, and on Saturday, the annual parade of costumes will take place at noon. 

Highlights of the 33rd National Toboggan Championships will include the ceremonial ride of Bob Annis, who taking his last run down the chute. He is 90 now, but 88-plus years ago, at age 2 and a half, he was bundled up and snuggled against his father on a toboggan, the youngest rider then to go down the newly built chute.

His father, Blake Annis, was of the original crew that build the chute and Snow Bowl lodge in 1935-1936.

The ‘One More Ride” for Annis will take place at 1 p.m., followed by the now annual competition between the Camden and Rockport select boards for fastest times down the chute. Last year, Rockport took the trophy back to the town office, but every year is different.

Annis, of Rockport, was on the U.S. National Toboggan Championships Organizing Committee from 2006 to 2020, and still spends summers at his Hosmer Pond cottage. He is a dedicated volunteer, and was himself a toboggan inspector and Chute Crew member.

The teams, totaling almost 400, will begin registering from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, and on Saturday, the first runs, with two- and 3-person toboggans, are scheduled for 8 a.m.

There is no parking on the ballfield. It is now referred to as Fieldtown during the weekend, as teams and spectators set up temporary homesteads with tents and fire pits, chairs and other comforts of home. Those tailgating (minus cars and trucks) spots have been rented out at $25 for the weekend and people have been encouraged to set up their spaces on Friday and use shuttle buses to get to the Snow Bowl on Saturday and Sunday.

For those hoping to park in the Snow Bowl parking lot, the fee will be $20 each day, with Camden Rotary managing the parking process.

The Snow Bowl is not designating the ball field as a parking area. That was attempted two years, and resulted in damage to the field, and a $75,000 repair job to restore it to its regular function as a field for softball, soccer, lacrosse and football.

Shuttlebus

There will be at least five shuttle buses running for free all day Saturday, with pick-up and drop-off points at the Camden Village Green and – new this year – the Camden-Rockport Middle School on Knowlton Street. Shuttle buses will continue ferrying people to and from the Snow Bowl on Sunday.

The shuttle is free, thanks to a $2,500 sponsorship from TD Bank.

At the Snow Bowl, people will be directed to drop off and pick up others at the tennis court, at the head of the Snow Bowl entrance.

“We are serious about drop-off and turn-around at the Camden Snow Bowl tennis court,” said Anderson. 

Again, people are encouraged to drop off their toboggans and supplies on Friday, Feb. 2, if they are heading to Fieldtown or Hosmer Pond to set up for the weekend.

Public access to the pond from the Snow Bowl will be closed late Friday through the weekend, and no vehicles will be allowed to enter the ice from any municipally-owned point on the pond.

There will be no parking on Barnestown, Hosmer or Molyneaux roads, per the Camden Police Department during the weekend event.

“Parking is going to be enforced,” said Anderson.

ABC’s Boston WCVB television station show, Chronicle, will be filming the event.

On Friday evening, the Camden Opera House will host the Mallett Brothers Band, with Dominick Lavoie opening; tickets $25 advance, $29 day of show. Sponsored by 40 Paper. FMI: camdenoperahouse.com.

Downtown, on Saturday evening, the West Bay Rotary Chili Challenge will get under way from 4:30 to 7 p.m., or until the chili is all gone.

The Challenge will take place at 16 Bay View Hotel where area restaurants, chefs, and individuals will engage in their own brand of friendly competition – while the hungry public samples, and judges, their savory creations.

It is a weekend that breaks up the winter, with robust outdoor fun. Tobogganville, Fieldtown and Homser Pond will be colorful, and alive with energy. Over at the Snow Bowl, skiers will likewise being enjoying the weekend, with new snow on the groomed trails. Midwinter has arrived in the Midcoast, a perfect time to get outside.