Paddling festival on summer solstice weekend to feature guided trips, clinics, and a paddle party

RANGELEY, Maine — The Rangeley Lakes Region in western Maine will be the site of a new paddling festival to kick off the summer season.

The Rangeley Rendezvous will offer trips, clinics, a race, and social activities for paddling enthusiasts during the weekend of June 19-21. The event will be based in the town of Rangeley, but spread out to the many nearby scenic waterways. Participants are welcome to join for individual activities or the entire weekend.

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, but 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.

“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.”

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 ten-mile loop around South Bog Island.

A family-oriented celebration on Haley Pond will take place Sunday afternoon. There will be a kids’ paddle, barbecue, live music, and vendors.

Lodging is available at the many establishments in the Rangeley Lakes region. The Rangeley Inn is offering race participants a 15% discount, Morton & Furbish Vacation Rentals is offering 20% discount, and the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center is offering camping for paddlers for the weekend. Visit bit.ly/rangeley-rendezvous to learn more and for discounts on nightly stays.

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.

The Rangeley Rendezvous is 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 Rangeley Rendezvous, or if you have questions about registration, email info@northernforestcanoetrail.org. To learn more about the NFCT, visit northernforestcanoetrail.org.