Lewis Winterfest offers free snow tubing, many other events

LOWVILLE — The fourth annual Lewis County Snowflake Winterfest on Saturday will feature a second main venue: the Maple Ridge Center Snow Park.

"It's such a good fit," said event co-chairwoman Anne L. Merrill, also executive director of the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce.

The event is being hosted by the chamber, Lowville Business Association and Maple Ridge Center.

Free snow tubing will be offered from 1 to 8 p.m. at the snow park, off East Road just east of the village.

A cardboard sled race will be held at 3:45 p.m., with potential competitors allowed to either bring their completed sleds or bring materials and build them on site, beginning at 3 p.m.

Event participants also may try out cross-country skiing or snowshoeing throughout the afternoon at Maple Ridge Center, and races for both sports will be held at 1 and 2 p.m., respectively.

A bonfire will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.

Event co-chairman Carmen A. Sweet said he is pleased with the event's expansion to Maple Ridge Center, since it will provide families access to more winter activities that they might otherwise be unable to afford.

"That's one of the reasons we started Winterfest, to give whole families the ability to enjoy winter in Lewis County," Mr. Sweet said.

Event organizers had planned to offer free tubing at last year's event, but unseasonably high temperatures did not allow it.

This year, the hill has a good base of snow, and the weather appears to be cooperating, according to Keith Zehr, executive director of the Adirondack Mennonite Camping Association, which operates Maple Ridge Center.

"We're going to have ideal conditions for it," Mr. Zehr said.

The Winterfest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. also will offer free outdoor activities at the Veterans Memorial Park off Parkway Drive, including horse-drawn sleigh rides, a petting zoo, a snowman building contest and a snow sculpture contest.

The nearby Lowville fire hall will host a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. and a chowder cook-off, with judging set for noon.

Ice skating activities will be offered throughout the day at the Lewis County Fairgrounds, and indoor activities, including games, a movie and karaoke, will be offered at the Lowville Baptist Church on North State Street.

For more information, call the chamber office at 376-2213.