The Ice Palace in City Park (south), Lewiston.

"The snowshoe clubs were an important part of local French culture. . . . The winter festivities centered around an ice palace constructed in the city park . . . or in Hulett Square on Main Street . . . . Most snowshoers arrived by train from Canada on a Saturday morning at the Grand Trunk station.

"In 1925, they raced on snowshoes to 'capture' city hall; in 1935 the sham attack was upon the ice palace. The weekend featured snowshoe races and a parade displaying colorful uniforms, bands, choral performances, and stunts such as throwing and catching persons in a blanket.

"The Sunday morning parade ended with mass in SS. Peter and Paul Church." From Douglas I. Hodgkin's pictorial history of Lewiston entitled "Lewiston Memories," page 117.