PENFIELD – It’s time once again to celebrate winter. Sponsored by the Clearfield YMCA, Winterfest 2010 will be featuring many fun outdoor activities for the entire family to enjoy and participate in.
The two-day festival will start on Jan. 30 at 10:00 a.m. with the Snow Bowl Flag Football Tournament. Interested teams must be pre-registered, and can do so by contacting the YMCA. Other scheduled activities on Saturday include programs on Ice Fishing Basics at 11:00 a.m., Winter Bird Feeding at 1:00 p.m., Owls at 2:00 p.m., and Snowshoeing Basics at 3:00 p.m.
Then, on Jan. 31 the festival will gear up again at 9:00 a.m. with the Hilltop Howlers organizing a Snowmobile Fun Run at Pavilion 7, and an Ice Harvesting demonstration on the lake at 11:00 a.m. Between noon and 2:00 p.m., there will be many other activities for the whole family such as, Snowshoeing, Snow Box Derby, Frozen Salami Sling, a Learn to Cross-country Ski program, and a Snowman Contest. Other events on Sunday afternoon include the Almost Naked Mile Run at 3:00 p.m., where participants will run a mile in their bathing suits. The Winterfest’s grand finale will again be the Polar Bear Swim scheduled at 4:00 p.m.
The YMCA will also run a concession stand out of the Beach House throughout Winterfest 2010. Several events, including the Polar Bear Swim, require pre-registration with the YMCA. To check on an event or to pre-register, contact the YMCA at 814-765-5521. Some events will be dependent on snow or ice conditions; however, most will take place in any weather conditions. Visitors can also enjoy the outdoors all Winterfest weekend (and all winter) with many traditional winter activities. When conditions permit, Parker Dam State Park maintains 2 cross-country ski loops, totaling about 5.5-miles, a maintained ice skating rink, and a sledding hill. Snowshoeing the many miles of trails is also a popular activity at the park, as well as ice fishing the 20-acre lake. So bundle up and come on out to Parker Dam with the entire family to enjoy a weekend of great fun and activities.
You can find more information about state park programs and special events by logging on to the Bureau of State Parks Web site, 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.
