Head for the hills this Saturday, Feb. 16, to sled around downtown Ballston Spa as part of the village’s Winter Festival.
With a snow storm expected Friday night, the sloping Bath Street hill should be covered with the real white stuff. Some years, the village rents snow-making machines to blanket the street with packed powder rivaling a ski mountain. Also in previous years, village crews have carted in snow from large parking lots in the neighboring towns of Milton and Ballston, but this year trustees are putting the brakes on that operation.
With the high cost of fuel, it’s just not possible for us to send trucks all over the towns, said Mayor John Romano. `But with all these storms, we hopefully won’t need to import snow.`
The avalanche of events begins at 11 a.m. with tobogganing and sledding on Bath Street. Bring your own mode of transportation, from snow tubes to Red Racers. Sledding will continue until dark or until everyone’s toes are frozen and immovable.
`There will be people with strong backs to help push kids off the starting ramp down the run,` said trustee Bob Cavanaugh.
The schedule of events for the daylong festival is as follows:
11 a.m. to noon: Washtub ice fishing on Front Street, with prizes for kids age 7 and younger.
Noon to 2 p.m.: Snowball throwing contest on Front Street, with kids divided up into various age groups ranging from 5 and under to 16 and over. Prizes awarded.
5 to 8 p.m.: Night skating, weather permitting, at Eastern Avenue recreation field.
6 to 10 p.m.: Music, dancing and food at the Milton Community Center, Northline Road. Free refreshments, karaoke and more.
7 to 8 p.m.: Seasonal kid’s crafts at the community center.
All outdoor events are weather permitting. Contact the village municipal office at 885-5711 with questions. All activities are free and open to the public. “
