WESTBROOK – Westbrook once again became the center of a community festival last weekend, as Winter West Part II featured rescheduled events from January’s wet and mild weather.

Rescheduled events included dog sled races at Sunset Ridge Golf Course, a Frozen 5K Fun Run downtown, and fundraisers for Westbrook High School students.

Maria Dorne, Westbrook’s director of community services and chairwoman of this year’s festival committee, said Saturday’s events went smoothly. Speaking of the 5K run, she said, “It was a hard day to run, but we had over 100 runners and they did fantastic, especially the kids who ran. The Westbrook Fire Department did a great job coordinating it and getting it off the ground.”

City Councilor Brendan Rielly reported that the Westbrook senior class chili luncheon, which was organized by his son Morgan, the senior class president, went well, and raised roughly $400.

Bill Baker, the assistant city administrator for business and community relations, said that the city received positive feedback from the New England Sled Dog Club, which organized Saturday’s races. “The team at Sunset Ridge and the Westbrook Trail Blazes distinguished themselves again by giving racers a track that they raved about. They will be back next year,” he said.

Dorne added that she heard multiple positive comments, as well.

“I heard from a lot of people in appreciation that something different happens in the city, and it’s an opportunity to get out and enjoy the winter weather,” she said. “I was skeptical if I could ever embrace winter, but I have enjoyed working on Winter West the last two years. It’s a lot of fun and it makes the winter less wintery.”

– Andrew Rice

Melissa Murphy of Windham, N.H., guides her team of enthusiastic hounds early in the four-dog race. Participants jog through downtown Westbrook Saturday during the Winter West Frozen 5K Fun Run & Walk. Westbrook resident Peter Burke finishes first during Saturday’s Frozen 5K Fun Run & Walk. Burke had a winning time of 19 minutes.