The Northern Forest Canoe Trail information kiosk beside Rangeley Lake. (NFCT photo) RANGELEY — Canoe and kayak outings, an international paddling challenge, and fireworks over Saddleback Mountain are planned for the Northern Forest Canoe Trail Paddlers Rendezvous in Rangeley July 24 to 25.

Hundreds of paddling and outdoor enthusiasts are expected to attend the event celebrating the 10- year anniversary of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail Inc. The organization created and manages the 740-mile recreational water trail by the same name that stretches from Old Forge, N.Y. to Fort Kent.

Free activities, exhibits, equipment demonstrations and educational presentations will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Ecopelagicon nature store and Haley Pond Park off Route 4.

Presentations will happen under a large tent and cover topics from birch bark canoe construction to canoe camping with kids, kayak fishing and great places to paddle along the NFCT. The Chewonki Traveling Natural History Program will have three live raptors for children to see up close and learn about. Other exhibitors will represent boat and paddle products, outfitters, state conservation agencies, and destinations along the trail.

Headquarters for the international “740 Miles in One Day Challenge” will be at the Haley Pond boat ramp behind City Cove Realty on Route 4. The trail-wide paddling event has a goal of logging enough paddler-miles from dawn to 5 p.m. on Saturday to equal the 740-mile length of the trail. Ca- noeists and kayakers can participate in the challenge on Haley Pond from noon to 4 p.m.

The NFCT trail stewardship crew will demonstrate bog bridge construction and host a Griphoist and highline system skills challenge from noon to 4 p.m. at the Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum on Route 16. Saturday will conclude with a ticketed anniversary party at Saddleback Maine featuring dinner, a commemorative program, live music, a bonfire and fireworks.

A family paddle outing on Rangeley Lake, group paddles, and a bird walk at Rangeley Lake State Park are some of the offerings from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday. The Paddlers Rendezvous will coincide with the 30th Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum Festival Days, and NFCT staff, interns and volunteers will represent the trail with a float in the Saturday morning festival parade down Main Street. For full details on the NFCT celebration visit www.northernforestcanoetrail.org

Umbagog Lake, Rangeley Lake, Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Cupsuptic Lake, the Richardson Lakes, South Branch of the Dead River and Flagstaff Lake are the bodies of water that make up the two mapped sections of the NFCT in the Rangeley region.

For more information about the Northern Forest Canoe Trail call 802-496-2285 or visit the Web site.