Penfield– The Annual Clearfield YMCA Winter Family Festival to be Held at Parker Dam State Park Penfield, PA.
In its 31st year and sponsored by the Clearfield YMCA, the Winter Family Festival will be featuring many fun, outdoor activities for the entire family to enjoy and participate in.
The two-day festival will start on January 26, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. with the Hilltop Howlers organizing a Snowmobile Fun Run, and the opening of the YMCA’s concession stand at the Beach House. Other scheduled activities, including a Super Snow Bowl, Ice Fishing Basics, Winter Bird Feeding, Winter Survival, and GPS Basics, will continue through the afternoon that day.
On Sunday, January 27, 2008, the festival will gear up again at noon with the Blizzard Volleyball Tournament and the opening of the concession stand. Throughout the day, there will be sleigh rides and Kitty Kat snowmobiles, as well as many other activities for the whole family such as, a Hibernation Activity, Snowshoeing, Snow Box Derby, Frozen Salami Sling, Cross-country Skiing, and a Snowman Contest.
Some events will be dependent on snow or ice conditions; however, most will take place in any conditions.
Because of varying lake levels due to construction, the Polar Bear Swim was not scheduled this year. Taking its place on Sunday afternoon, however, is the Almost Naked Mile Run at 3:00 p.m., where participants will run a mile in their bathing suits. Also at 3:00 p.m., will be the “Big Kids” Sled Derby, helping to wrap up the day’s events and activities. Parker Dam State Park maintains a 3-mile cross-country ski loop, an ice skating rink, and a sledding hill when conditions permit. Snowshoeing the many miles of trails is also a popular activity at the park.
You can find more information about state park programs and special events by logging on to the Bureau of State Parks website at http://www.VisitPAParks.com , and clicking on “Calendar”. You can also stay informed on what is happening in Pennsylvania state parks by subscribing to Resource, DCNR’s electronic newsletter.