With or without snow, Chardon Square will come alive Jan. 16, when Chardon Tomorrow hosts its sixth annual WinterFest.Started in 2011, WinterFest is Chardon Tomorrow's…
With or without snow, Chardon Square will come alive Jan. 16, when Chardon Tomorrow hosts its sixth annual WinterFest.
Started in 2011, WinterFest is Chardon Tomorrow’s free family event celebrating Chardon as the snow capital of Ohio — even if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.
Steve Turpin, Chardon Tomorrow’s vice president of marketing, said snow has been missing two of five years and its lack doesn’t seem to slack anyone’s thirst for a special occasion mid-January.
“No snow is old hat to us,” he said, predicting the grand finale starting at dusk with the spectacular lighting of the Fire and Ice tower designed by Elegant Ice Creations and sponsored by Junction Family Auto Sales, will be a big draw, since the evenings are getting chilly.
“If there’s enough snow, we’ll run the sled dogs up and down the square,” he said, an activity everyone enjoys watching.
If tickets are ready, WinterFest 2016 will kick off the raffle for a red Kia Sorento donated by Preston Kia in Burton as a fundraiser for the Chardon Living Memorial Park, Turpin said. The park is going to be a dedication to the five victims who were killed and/or injured in the Feb. 27, 2012 Chardon High School shooting.
The 2016 Sorento, valued at about $33,000, is red with black wheels reflecting Chardon Schools’ colors, he said.
The winner will be announced at Chardon Tomorrow’s half marathon on May 1, he said.
A new addition will be Justin the polar bear, who will serve as an ambassador to WinterFest and help raffle off a snowman made by children with autism, Turpin said.
WinterFest may be the first big public event to use the new Heritage House on the square, he said. Chardon Tomorrow will be selling hot dogs inside, giving people an opportunity to visit the building.
Activities begin at 2 p.m. on Jan. 16 and include free horse-drawn wagon rides, ice sculpture displays and carving demonstrations, dog sled races or meet and greet, corn hole games, face painting, hot cider, hot dogs, s’mores, fire pits, raffles and more.
WinterFest is made possible through the support of community partners, including the City of Chardon, Chardon Square Association and Chardon Chamber of Commerce.
Additional event sponsors include: Alvord Agency Inc., Bass Lake Tavern, Chardon Kiwanis, Chardon Square Association, MapleDale Farm, Marci’s Hair on the Square, ReMax Traditions, The Mane Street Shoppe, The Nest, Universal Disposal, Valentine Antiques and Wells Fargo Advisors. Limited sponsorships are still available.
For more information, visit online at www.chardontomorrow.org or call 440-273-3077.
Proceeds benefit Chardon Tomorrow, a nonprofit civic organization dedicated to the historic preservation and development of Chardon.
