PENFIELD- Officials at Parker Dam State Park have released the schedule of events for the 49th annual WinterFest celebration on Jan. 31.
10 a.m. Ice Skate Rentals and Skate Swap (until 3 p.m.)
The Friends of Parker Dam will once again be renting ice skates at the beach house, and additionally this year, will be hosting a skate swap. What is a “Skate Swap”? It’s where you bring ice skates that no longer fit but are in good shape – to hang up with a price you are asking, and then look at the other ice skates brought in by others to see if any of those fit you, or your kids, or your grandkids.
10 a.m. Freeze Your Gizzard 5K Run
Sponsored by the Clearfield YMCA, this 5K run is an annual tradition. Pre-register with the YMCA.
10:30 a.m. Ice Skating Basics Lesson
If you are looking for some basic instructions on ice skating, see the park educator at the ice rink. You will learn how to properly fall down, get up, turn, and so on.
11:30 a.m.—2:30 p.m. Snowshoes 101
Stop by pavilion 3 to try on a pair of the park’s snowshoes and get some basic instruction. A lot of people have never tried them, but when the snow gets deep they can make all the difference in getting around.
12 p.m. Cornhole Tournament
Sponsored by the Clearfield YMCA – pre-registration to participate.
12 p.m. Ice Fishing Basics
Ice fishing can be a great wintertime outdoor recreation. The equipment changes, the fish habits change, and there is the ice safety. Learn the basics of ice fishing at this informative program.
1 p.m. Kids’ Snow Box Derby
Sponsored by the Clearfield YMCA, this always fun event is held on avalanche hill (hill behind the beach house) and involves creating your own sleds using cardboard. Contact the YMCA for more information.
1:30 p.m. Historic Ice Harvesting
Before refrigerators there were ice boxes – cooled by blocks of ice delivered every other day. Learn about this bygone industry and try harvesting some ice yourself during this program. The hole we cut will also be the location of the Polar Plunge later in the day.
2 p.m. Frozen Salami Sling
Sponsored by the Clearfield YMCA, this aptly-named event involves throwing a frozen salami as far as you can. Join in on this fun annual event.
3 p.m. Snowman Judging
Sponsored by the Clearfield YMCA, if conditions provide the medium (snow), then unleash the artist in you – and build a magnificent snowman.
4 p.m. Polar Plunge
To put a cap on the day, watch the annual polar plunge, where folks, for one reason or another, jump into the lake through a hole in the ice. This fund-raiser is sponsored by the Clearfield YMCA. Pre-registration.
You can keep up on what is happening at the park by liking “Parker Dam State Park” on Facebook; and, you can find more information about state park programs and special events by logging on to the Bureau of State Parks website at www.visitPAparks.com, and clicking on “Events Calendar”.
“The primary purpose of Pennsylvania State Parks is to provide opportunities for enjoying healthful outdoor recreation and serve as outdoor classrooms for environmental education.”
Access for People with Disabilities
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. (Parker Dam State Park Complex: (814) 765-0630; parkerdamsp@pa.gov)
With a minimum of one-week notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing may be available for educational programs.
