By Krissy Turner
CLEARFIELD – Everywhere you go there’s “snow” much fun to do in Clearfield County – indoors and out – in the wintertime.
Outdoor enthusiasts – not frightened off by Old Man Winter – may enjoy a snowmobile ride at S.B. Elliott State Park in the heart of the Moshannon State Forest.
Anglers can bundle up, venture out and sink a line at popular ice fishing spots, like Curwensville or Parker Dams. Then, sit in solitude or with a crew to wait for that tug on their line.
Others may enjoy a cross-country ski trek along part of the nearly 73-mile Quehanna Trail, an area that is particularly spectacular this time of the year.
And the winter outdoorsman who seeks to explore nature and wildlife can grab their snow shoes and go places that their cross-country skis simply can’t take them.
Wopsononock Natural Area, Quehanna Wilds and Moshannon State Forest are all great places to hike and enjoy the solitude winter has to offer.
Clearfield YMCA’s WinterFest will give families fun activities to do Jan. 29-30 at Parker Dam. Saturday includes the 5K run, ice fishing basics, learn to skate and snowshoeing.
Sunday gears up with ice harvesting, snow box derby, frozen salami sling, winter birding, almost naked mile run and the polar bear swim.
The YMCA will have food and drinks available from the park’s beach house each day. Many activities are snow and ice dependent, however.
Times and events may change; please check with the YMCA or park office for a schedule of events as the festival nears.
Treasure Lake’s 2022 Polar Plunge will take place Feb. 5 at the Lake Marina. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and participants will take the “plunge” at 11 a.m.
The fee to register is $20, and all proceeds benefit the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. There will also be sledding and ice-skating opportunities, weather permitting.
Hot chocolate and loaner skates will be available, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. This event is open to the public.
But what if you prefer to stay warm and cozy indoors? Clearfield County has an array of upcoming events, according to Visit Clearfield County Executive Director Josiah Jones.
He said a chili cook-off is being held Feb. 5, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., at the Lakeview Lodge & Conference Center, Treasure Lake. For a $5 donation, taste the chili and vote for the best.
Proceeds benefit the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the top three place winners.
Interested contestants must contact Treasure Lake by calling 814-371-0711 or e-mailing recreation@treasurelake.us. Deadline to enter is Jan. 28, 2022.
After the chili cook-off, you are welcome to stick around for live entertainment from The Earthquakers from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. Appetizers will be available for purchase.
Tickets are $10 each and ID will be required. Advance ticket orders may be placed online: https://treasurelakepa.ticketbud.com/. Public is welcome.
Also, on Feb. 5, Jones said the 16th annual Groundhog Wine Fest is being held at the Expo II Building at the Clearfield County Fairgrounds.
The event boasts over 150 wines, as well as an array of food, vendors, live entertainment and much more.
The first session is from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and the second session is from 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 each in advance and $30 day-of the event.
Jones also mentioned the Winter Winefest III, hosted by the Glendale Education Foundation, is taking place Feb. 12 at the Glendale Volunteer Fire Department, Coalport.
The gold session is from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. and the blue session is from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day-of the event. Visit the GEF Web site for details.
Jones said the winter season will wrap up with the three-day Central PA Outdoor Show, which returns to Clearfield on March 18-20 at the Clearfield County Fairgrounds.
Highlighting this year’s event are seminars by Love of the Hunt TV’s Brad Lockwood, big-game Alaskan guide and History Channel’s million-dollar ALONE winner Roland Welker; and PA Boyz Outdoors.
There will be over $15,000 in door prizes given away, including a 2022 Polaris Sportsman 450. New to the show this year is the First Bite Fishing Tanks fishing experience.
Show hours are Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m., and Sunday, from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Admission is $5 per adult and kids 12 and under are free.
The outdoor show is being held in conjunction with annual sale events at Grice Gun Shop, Bob’s Army & Navy and Jim’s Sports Center in downtown Clearfield.
Jones encouraged people to follow Parker Dam’s Facebook page for its winter event schedule and Visit Clearfield County for the latest on local events.