4th Chinook Winterfest

4th Annual Winterfest, Hickory Hill Farm, Standish, Maine
February 24, 2002

Shortsleeve family with
Hickory Hill Trailblazer (Blaze)

In the land of "not quite winter", we continued the annual tradition of the Chinooks New England! Winter Festival at David and Elaine Bradbury's beautiful farm in Standish, Maine. Who needs snow for a Winterfest, anyway? Last year, in freezing rain, we managed to sled, ski-jor and carry on with the usual events of the festival. This year, with patchy snow and incredibly sunny skies, we just had a great time together.

The event drew 48 humans and 37 dogs (32 Chinooks) from Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut. A few groups of people and dogs walked through the trails that wind through the Bradbury's beautiful haven while others had reunions with littermates and reconnected with old Chinook friends. Chinooks from across the country were included in the day's festivities, including dogs from these kennels: WoodsRunner, Hickory Hill, Frontier, Rivertrail, Rain Mountain, Intervale, Balsam Ridge, Aspencreek, Sagahlie, Cloudburst, Thunder Paws, Tamanawas and North Down. (Photos courtesy of Connie Jones).

Cunningham family with
Hickory Hill Liberty

Another Liberty? This time
Rivertrail Liberty has fun
with her family.

Another Blaze? Only this time,
it's Frontier Blaze with
the Drumstas family.

Several people interested in the breed joined in the day's festivities and were impressed by all of the dogs they met. We had ample supplies of good food (lasagna, baked beans, corn chowder, salads, kielbasa, meatballs, not to mention all of the desserts). The silent auction held some rare treats (Chinook: license plates, pint glass, coffee mug, vintage postcards, magazine articles; dog treats, beanie babies, beret, camera, photo album...). We made over $400 for the club and had fun doing it. Thanks to all who made this a great day!