The Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association will be hosting a 5k Fun Run and Race as part of their Sheepscot Valley Family Festival on September 8. The “Salmon Run” course passes through and around beautiful Sheepscot Village, with the start and finish at the Harriet Bird Community Center in Newcastle, across from the SVCA office. The measured route follows quiet roads in the village, except for a brief connector on Route 218, with the first part of the race including a substantial hill climb.

The race starts at 9 a.m. with check-in and registration at 8 a.m. Racers can view the route and register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/ME/Newcastle/SVCA5KRaceandFunRun Participants who register before August 23 will be guaranteed a Salmon Run T-shirt. The registration fee is $20 which helps to cover the cost of the T-shirt and goes towards drinks and snacks. Numerous race categories can be found on the website. Ribbons will be given for top times for men and women in each age class.

Free races for kids up to age 10 will begin at 10 a.m. The “Smolt Run” and “Fry Run” will take place at the Harriet Bird Center ball field where the majority of festival events will take place during the day. The top times for boys and girls will be given specially made ribbons and all will be given prizes for participation. Registration will happen just prior to the races.

All this running will kick off a day of other fun activities for people of all ages at the free festival. Community groups from throughout the watershed are participating in the festival to provide food and activities. Some groups will be raising money for their organizations; for example, the Sheepscott Community Church will sell baked goods and desserts to benefit the steeple repair on the nearby historic church. The Alna Fire Department will be selling barbeque and Wiscasset Yacht Club is offering lobster rolls.

Some of the fun activities include fly tying demonstrations, the Darling Marine Center salt water touch tank, Chewonki Foundation Birds of Prey program, a Mid-Coast Audubon table with birding activities, forestry activities with Hidden Valley Nature Center, face painting by the local Girl Scout Troop, meet the Morris Farm animals and local 4-H club, local farm tables, and much more.

For more information about the race and the festival, please email svca@sheepscot.org, or call the office at 207-586-5616. SVCA is looking for volunteers to help with the races and activities throughout the day, so give a call if you’d like to help out! For more information about SVCA visit us online at www.sheepscot.org or like us on Facebook www.facebook/sheepscot.