North Adams WinterFest Celebration Seeks Participants
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The 23rd annual WinterFest celebration will be held Saturday, Feb. 15.
The event is expected to draw more than 1,000 people - locals and visitors alike - to downtown North Adams. The Office of Tourism & Community Events is seeking participants to take part in several events during this celebration: more restaurants, businesses, organizations, or individuals to participate in the Chowder Cook-off, sponsor blocks of ice, and offer WinterFest specials or special events at their downtown business locations.
Applications are being accepted for the annual Chowder Cook-off through Feb. 5 and can be obtained by contacting the Office of Tourism & Community Events at 413-664-6180 or by email.
Chowder Cook-off participants must prepare their chowder in a licensed commercial kitchen and participants must provide a copy of their ServSafe Certification and Allergy Awareness Certification. Chowders are judged and voted on in the categories of the People's Choice Awards, Judges' Choice Awards and the "Only in North Adams" Award for most unique chowder. Winners receive plaques and bragging rights. Rebel Beat Sound System will provide music for this event.
To sponsor an ice block or volunteer to carve one, contact the Office of Tourism & Community Events at 413-664-6180 or by email. The deadline for sponsorship is Feb. 5. This year's ice sculptures will not be themed and sculptors will receive a $50 stipend/per block. Ice sculpting will take place throughout the event. A winner will be picked by public vote through a social media poll that will run for a week following the event before the winner is announced.
Ice blocks can be sponsored for $90/each. Sponsors' names will appear in the WinterFest program and their name or logo will be present on signage with their sponsored block.
The lineup for the day follows. All events are free to attend
9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Ice sculpting (various downtown locations).
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Green Mountain Weavers and Spinners Guild Annual Spin-in at the All Saints Church Parish Hall.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Fun in the snow at Colegrove Park (self-guided snow sculpting and sledding/ weather permitting).
10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Farmers Market at 81 Main St. and Crafters Market at location to be determined. (Market is full and not accepting new applicants.)
10 a.m.-noon: Hot cocoa and cookies at MountainOne, 93 Main St.
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Kids' Winter Carnival, games and activities at the First Baptist Church, Main Street entrance.
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Open Gym at J Star Gymnastics, 69 Union St.
Noon-2 p.m.: Annual Chowder Cook-off at the Green, 85 Main St., Ste. 105.
Noon-2 p.m.: Community campfire and s'mores on Holden Street.
Noon-3 p.m.: Horse-drawn wagon rides. Line starts in front of MountainOne, 93 Main St.
2-4 p.m.: Free ice skating and skate rentals at Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink.
