The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Wintergreen Arts Center are teaming up again to present one of The County’s most unique and fun-filled 5K fundraisers—the Fourth Annual Color Presque Isle 5K,

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Participants dress in white and get showered with colored powder throughout the course. The event, which serves as a benefit for arts programming in Presque Isle, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 9 a.m. starting at Riverside Park. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

Color Presque Isle 5K events in the last three years have attracted hundreds of people of all ages, sizes and running abilities to take to the course, and raised thousands of dollars for downtown arts programming. Needless to say, organizers are excited to do it all again.

Similar to other runs that have happened across the nation, this event involves volunteers dropping colored powder—it’s cornstarch-based, non-toxic and non-allergenic—on participants at various spots throughout the course, which begins at Riverside Park and loops around to the UMPI campus and back. This year’s route again includes a stretch along Main St. from State St. to the UMPI campus.

Funding from this year’s event will help to support scholarships and the after school program at Wintergreen Arts Center as well as UMPI’s Empty Bowls benefit and Visiting Artist Program.

This year’s course will feature six color stations, sponsored by local businesses and staffed with teams of volunteers dressed up to reflect specific themes. In addition, local photographers will be taking photos throughout the course, which will be available for purchase afterward with proceeds to benefit arts in the downtown. Selected photos will be featured in an exhibit this coming winter at the Wintergreen Arts Center.

Because people have shown up to past Color PI 5K events with wigs, tutus and other fun-loving attire, organizers have decided to again host a Best Costume Contest and will be awarding prizes after the 5K in the individual, group, and kid categories. The grand prize is a People’s Choice award with the winner receiving 2 round trip tickets to Boston courtesy of PenAir. Other prizes include an overnight stay at the Hampton Inn in Presque Isle and a three-month membership at County Physical Therapy.

The registration fee is $40; children under 10 are free. For more information, contact Rachel Rice at umpi@maine.edu or contact the Wintergreen Arts Center staff at wintergreenarts@gmail.com or 762-3576.

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