"The 1937 Fort Fairfield Winter Carnival was the best of the carnivals," recalled Alden Anderson from New Sweden. "They had the most ski events. There was jumping, cross-country for the kids, ski obstacle races, a slalom race and of course the Tri-Town Marathon."
The Tri-Town Marathon was laid out in a triangular course from Fort Fairfield to Caribou to Presque Isle and back to Fort Fairfield. Racers skied 35 miles a day and repeated the loop three consecutive days. Eighteen skiers started the race but only eight finished and three of the finishers were from New Sweden. The Bangor Daily News wrote, "In New Sweden ski artistry is taught as one of the fundamentals of healthy living. From childhood and up people in New Sweden claim the land of snow for their own, beating a merry tune with their ski runners along unbroken trails and a speedy downhill run. Both young and old revel in the zestful sport."
"It was kinda cold the first day of the race," said Alden Anderson. "We left at eight in the morning and it was 30 below. Boy, that's cool to get out there and get going. Some of us wore white uniforms from the New Sweden Athletic Club. On that first day we wrapped newspapers around ourselves, under our uniforms, to cut the wind."
The cold didn't stop either the racers or the spectators. The Bangor Daily News wrote, "Despite a mercury that hovered at 30 below zero gaily costumed disciples of King Winter thronged this Carnival spirited town to watch the start of the race.
"They had just started plowing the roads so we skied on the very side," recalled Harold Bondeson. "A station wagon followed us in case we needed some water or something to eat. If some guy dropped out they picked him up. That 1937 Tri-Town race was one of the very best races for everyone to watch. Cars followed us around the course. State police cars escorted us to make sure we didn't have any trouble."
Laverne Anderson from New Sweden established a big lead after the first day of racing.
Governor Barrows opened the second day of racing with a speech in which he outlined his hope for the future of Maine as a winter sports site.
The second day of racing was warmer but it still wasn't easy. "One thing you run into on these long races is blisters," said Alden Anderson. "At night we put iodine on them, wrapped them up and the next day we'd go again." Alden Anderson won the second day of racing.
"Ten thousand carnival enthusiasts stormed into Fort Fairfield during the final day's program of the town's greatest winter Carnival," wrote the Bangor Daily News. "Saturday broke fine and clear, an ideal day for play in the great snow empire. The disciples of King Winter came early and stayed late, jamming Main Street and competitive sites with a gay mass of multi colored ski suits, worn by young and old.
"Thousands packed the main go of the village to see the windup of the carnival's most spectacular event, the Tri -Town ski grind. Laverne Anderson, lanky ski flyer from the sloping hills of New Sweden, led a pressing group of endurance men into town to cop first place. Anderson's arrival was greeted with round after round of hearty applause for his arduous feat over three days."
Alden Anderson led Laverne into town on that final lap as he had on the second day but had given so much time to Laverne on the first day that Laverne won and Alden came in second. Laverne won $50 and Alden won a car radio. "I had a car so I was pretty excited about that radio," recalled Alden.
The 1937 Tri-Town Marathon was one of the last big ski marathons. "That was one of the first years they plowed the roads," said Harold Bondeson. "When the open roads came it changed the way of traveling and skiing became less common. It was difficult to ski on paved, plowed roads."
"Ten thousand carnival enthusiasts stormed into Fort Fairfield during the final day's program of the town's greatest winter Carnival. Saturday broke fine and clear, an ideal day for play in the great snow empire."
-Bangor Daily News
Playing in the Great Snow Empire
By author/Maine ski historian: Glenn Parkinson
For more Maine Skiing history please select a title from the list below.
• Playing in the Great Snow Empire
• A hearty welcome is waiting for you in Fryeburg
• Hardy Veterans of the Waxed Runners Hurtle Into Space
• Rumford hosts the 1950 World Championships
