Local residents and businesses are gearing up for a busy weekend in Clifton Park with the annual townwide Winterfest slated for Feb. 10.
The festival includes activities and performances throughout the day at various locations throughout the Clifton Park. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Affairs has been working for months to bring together local businesses and sponsors for the event.
All of our events run smoothly because we’re used to working together, says Myla Kramer of the Clifton Park Office of Parks, Recreation and Community Affairs.
Mike Handerhan from the Department of Buildings and Grounds will work for days ahead of time on the behind-the-scenes work of site preparation and setting up equipment.
`It’s a lot of coordination,` says Geoff Holzhauer, who helps to manage Riverview Farm, where a variety of events will take place, including scavenger hunts, a chainsaw carving demonstration, s’mores, and a contest where participants will eat a donut hanging from a string.
Local scrapbooking supply store Memory Lane hosted 400 people last year for free make-your-own valentines and is planning for more this time around. Over the next few days they will assemble piles of cardstock and die-cut hearts. Owner Stephanie Bentley estimates that they will need at least 50 gluesticks to keep the crafters supplied
The uncertain weather this winter has required flexibility on the part of the planners.
Riverview Farms is offering either sleigh or cart rides, depending on snow conditions, and Kinns Road Park is crossing their fingers for enough snow for the cross-country ski races, but the first official walking tour at Dwaaskill Nature Preserve, led by Frank Berlin of the Open Space Committee, will be held regardless of the weather.
`When Winterfest first started, everything was outside, but we can’t fall to the whim of the weather because this is upstate New York and you never know. Even if there is no snow, we have events inside, and that way the fun can still go on,` says Myla Kramer.
New festival features include a Clifton Park version of the popular reality talent show `American Idol` at the Clifton Park Center, which will have three different age categories and prizes, and original inventions by Shenendehowa students on display at the Clifton Park Center Mall.
Longtime local favorites like the Clifton Park Chorus and the Zucchini Brothers will also be performing. The Zucchini Brothers classic family-friendly songs include titles like `I Can’t Put This Toy Together,` `Green Teeth` and the `Landfill Song.`
Also back from last year is the local restaurant competition. Participating restaurants will donate pizzas to the Clifton Park Center to compete for the titles of Best Cheese and Best Topping. Bellini’s was a co-winner of the Best Soup title in last year’s competition, but first time participants like Ferretti’s are preparing to take a shot at the title.
`We have something to keep the pizza warm, and we’ll be driving back and forth from the mall to keep the pizzas supplied` says Vince Ferretti.
The 99 Restaurant will be donating free hot chocolate and bottled water.
`We try to stay involved in the community and help out any way we can,` said manager Mike Helly.
A complete schedule of events can be found at www.cliftonpark.org.“