CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine — Hundreds of Sugarloafers are expected to make the annual pilgrimage to Sugarloaf Mountain for the resort’s Homecoming Weekend, October 9-11. The weekend features events, open houses, art shows, golf, the annual Uphill Climb Race, and for the first time a ???Beach Party??? featuring live music by the Jerks of Grass outside on the Beach.

In what has become an annual tradition for many families, Sugarloaf’s Homecoming Weekend offers visitors the chance to catch up with friends, take in the fall foliage, and get a firsthand look at all of Sugarloaf’s off-season enhancements.

New to the Homecoming lineup this year, the popular bluegrass band Jerks of Grass will headline a Saturday party on the Beach. The party will feature a Beer Tent, Wine Tasting, Free Fly Casting Lessons, a bonfire, BBQ, and free product giveaways from local TV personality and DJ Greg Powers. The Jerks of Grass have been voted Portland’s Best Roots/Acoustic act seven different times, and have played more than 1200 shows throughout New England. More information and photos are available at www.jerksofgrass.com.

Also new this year, Olympic Gold Medalist Seth Wescott will host a premier of Play Gravity a ski and snowboard movie in which he starred in 2007. For a preview of the film, guests can visit www.playgravity.com.

Many families make the trip to the mountain for one of the weekend’s marquis events, the Carrabassett Valley Academy (CVA) Used Ski and Sports Equipment Sale, which Skiing Magazine ranked as the number one ski swap in the east in 2007. Shoppers looking to find great deals on top of the line equipment will have ample opportunity at the sale, and skiers and riders looking to turn their own used goods into cash will find numerous eager buyers. Equipment drop-off starts on Friday at 4 pm at the Anti-Gravity Center (AGC), and the sale begins at 10 am on Saturday. All proceeds from the sale benefit the AGC Operations and Equipment Fund.

Sugarloafers will also find a unique shopping opportunity at the annual Upcountry Artists Arts and Crafts Show in the Base Lodge on Saturday and Sunday. Local artists and artisans will showcase their work, offering guests the chance to take home a truly unique Maine souvenir. Visitors will discover more one-of-a-kind items up for grabs at the annual Homecoming Auction, held every year at the Bag & Kettle Restaurant in Village West. The auction features more than 100 items, including ski and golf passes, lodging, gift certificates, and more.

Guests will have the opportunity to learn about all of the offseason improvements Sugarloaf has embarked upon during the summer months at the Sugarloaf Annual Meeting on Saturday at 10:30 am. Sugarloaf’s General Manager John Diller and other members of the senior team will be on hand to give a complete wrap-up of summer activities. On the agenda will be Sugarloaf’s latest enhancement to its snowmaking system and upgrades to the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, all part of more than $1.8 million in summer investments.

Sugarloafers will have the opportunity to watch CVA athletes compete in several sporting events throughout the weekend, and will be able to participate in events of their own, including the annual Uphill Climb on Sunday. The climb is a challenging 3-mile ascent for runners or walkers along a maintenance road from the base of the SuperQuad to the summit building, where a spaghetti dinner and refreshments will be waiting. Registration is $25 before Oct. 9, or $30 the day of the event. A shorter Kids’ Climb is offered for children ages 12 and under on Sunday at the Landing. Entry fee is $9 before Oct 9, or $10 the day of the event.

For a complete list of Homecoming events, and to register for the Uphill Climb, visit www.sugarloaf.com.

Homecoming lodging packages are available for as little as $49 per person per night. Call 1.800.THE.LOAF or visit sugarloaf.com for reservations.