Maine’s Rangeley Lakes Region will kick off the summer with the debut of a new two-day paddling festival in June.
The Rangeley Rendezvous will offer trips, clinics, a race, and social activities for paddling enthusiasts during the weekend of June 19 to 21. The event will be based in the town of Rangeley, Maine, but spread out among the region’s many nearby scenic waterways. Participants are welcome to join for individual activities or the entire weekend.
While this is the festival’s first official year, it was born from another paddling event previously held in the region. During the past two summers, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) and regional partners have hosted the Rangeley Oquossoc Adventure Rendezvous, a two-day, 40-mile paddling stage race during this weekend. Now, they have recreated the event to make it a festival.
“Northern Forest Canoe Trail has been partnering with the Rangeley community for the past two years to share the incredible beauty of this region with paddlers,” said NFCT Executive Director Karrie Thomas. “The Rangeley Rendezvous shifts the focus of our efforts from being primarily a race to an excuse to get on the water together with an opportunity to race. We are excited to explore with everyone in June.”
The Rendezvous will start on Friday with a social gathering, setting up two days of fun on the water. On Saturday, paddlers will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of guided paddling trips and clinics. Destinations include the Aziscohos Lake (also known as the headwaters of the Magalloway River), Kennebago River, Rangeley River and Lake, and Cupsuptic Lake. Participants will paddle through landscapes that are home to loons, moose, bald eagles, and other wildlife.
On Sunday, the tours continue and early risers can start the longest day of the year with a sunrise paddle on Rangeley Lake. Mid-morning paddlers can choose a guided tour or the TIATIAGNMR, an acronym for The Informal Around The Island Anything Goes No Motors Race. This twist of a Rangeley classic will offer the traditional four-mile loop around Maneskootuc Island or a 10-mile loop around South Bog Island.
“The diversity of trips we have lined up are truly a showcase of the best paddling the Rangeley region has to offer,” said Linda Dexter, one of the event organizers and former owner of Ecopelagicon. “And we are thrilled to be able to revive the TIATIAGNMR.”
A family-oriented celebration on Haley Pond will take place Sunday afternoon. There will be a kids paddle, barbecue, live music, and vendors.
Proceeds 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.
