WinterFest provides fun outdoors,

view of recreational area.

By JOHN QUINN Staff Writer

ROCHESTER - About 500 area residents enjoyed the first Winter Fest on Saturday with sled dogs, snowmobiles and cross-country skiing at the Mount Isinglas Recreation Park.

Winter Fest was sponsored by Mount Isinglas Recreational Park, Waste Management, Rochester Recreation Arena and Youth Services (RAYS), and the Isinglas River Local Advisory Committee.

"The idea was to get people out of the house in the winter," said Alan Davis, district manager of Waste Management. He added the event also was to make more people aware of the 100-acre Mount Isinglas Recreation Park, which is adjacent to the Turnkey Landfill and the Isinglas River.

Davis said the site is open to the public and is the first stage of trails that will eventually surround Waste Management's 1,200-acre property. He added area residents can use the trails for sledding, snowshoeing, skiing, ice skating and other activities in the winter.

During summer months, the trails remain open for hiking, biking, fishing, swimming and picnicking. Hunting, overnight camping, motorized vehicles and alcoholic beverages are not allowed.

"It's good for kids - them trying to do something they may never have done before," said Bob- Cicchetto, of Epsom, who owns Rochester Sports Center in Barrington and brought three snowmobiles to Winter Fest.

Cicchetto and his son Kris, 11, gave participants a snowmobile ride along the trails.

"The best thing about snowmobiling is the sport," Kris Cicchetto said. He added speed is not as important as seeing the beauty of the snow-covered woods and enjoying the outdoors.

Many residents also took the opportunity to pick up cross-country ski equipment donated by SNAFU Enterprises Inc., which supervises and maintains the Mount Isinglas Recreational Park.

"Now that they're giving away the skis, people can come back (to the Isinglas area) tomorrow," Davis said.

Amber Clement, 24, of Dover, tried out the cross-country skis with her brothers, Alex, 11, and Alan, 9, and her step-sister Khyla Allis, 8, who live in Rochester.

Alex and Alan said they were getting, the hang of cross-country skiing, but Khyla said she preferred to stick with snowboarding.

Other residents received a different treat- a dog sled ride.

Leonard Daigneault, 33, of East Waterboro, Maine, said he brought eight of his 13 Siberian huskies to pull people on sleds using a four-dog team. The dogs eagerly pulled visitors around the trails on short trips, coming back for as many people as they could.

"It was awesome," said Melony Rodier, of Rochester, who enjoyed her first ride on a dog sled with her 5-year-old son Tyler.

'Daigneault said he's been training Siberian huskies as a hobby for the last nine years after his wife, Melissa, bought him his first husky.

"Basically, you just find someone who's been doing it (racing) for some time and learn from them," Daigneault said.

Daigneault said he trains his dogs throughout the year - with or without snow - using sleds or wheeled carts. He added his wife usually helps him, but was unable to attend the Winter Fest.

"It's natural fun - it's the natural abilities of the dogs, the sleds are made of wood and it's tranquil," said James Lourain, 22, of Ashland, who assisted Daigneault on Saturday.

Participants could also enjoy a grilled hot dog lunch, warm up near a bonfire and learned about protecting the Isinglas River area while WMEX 106.5 FM broadcasted live from Winter Fest.

Davis said, the day was clearly a success and hopes it will be even better next year.