Carnival ends in ‘vintage’ race style

HELENA — This weekend’s weather put the “winter” back in the Tri-Town Winter Carnival.

The carnival wrapped up on Sunday with “vintage” snowmobile drag racing on the frozen St. Regis River, a frying pan throwing contest near the Helena General Store and closing ceremonies at the Winthrop American Legion Post. The events capped off a weekend that included Friday night fireworks, a Saturday morning parade and a performance by Michael Hilbig, aka “The Skinny German Juggle Boy” on Saturday.

Many festival-goers decided to stay indoors this year, according to Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce President Allen W. Fukes. The talent show and juggling event drew standing-room-only crowds, while Sunday’s outdoor bed races and tug-of-war contests had to be canceled.

“The indoor events were the big hits, probably because of the cold,” Mr. Fukes said.

In the week leading up to the carnival, temperatures had hovered near 40 degrees, and the sun had melted some of the area’s snow cover. Those weather conditions did not persist to cause any problems for the weekend’s snowmobilers.

Throughout Saturday and Sunday morning, Helena residents heard the constant whir of snowmobiles along the frozen river as onlookers braved the freezing temperatures and grilled hotdogs.

“It’s all about adrenaline and the fun of winning,” said Shawn Burke of Massena. “It’s just beating the guy next to you.”

Mr. Burke had snowmobiled since he was a child. He was in Saturday’s heats, as Sunday’s races were for snowmobile drivers with vehicles from the 1970s and 1980s.

Sunday was not too cold for snowmobiling, he said.

“This is average,” he said. “It’s a family sport. You can bring all your family and watch it.”

Across from the Helena General Store, a handful of local residents competed in the second annual frying pan throwing contest. Pat A. Snider of Brasher Falls said she picked up the idea from the winter carnival in Saranac Lake. Anyone who participated had to throw a frying pan as far as possible while wearing an apron.

She gathered up frying pans in her house for the event. Anyone who stepped over the “line,” a mop and broom laying next to each other on the ground, was disqualified, she said.

“They’re good to throw at your husband, not that we’ve ever done that,” she said.

Several members of the Arquiett family showed up to compete.

“It’s something different, first time for me,” Mike S. Arquiett said. “It’s always fun to do something for the first time.”

“We’re in the north country,” added Massena resident Jodi L. Burke, who won the women’s division.“I think the hillbilly thing is great.”