FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — After several decades of not holding an annual winter carnival, the town of Fort Fairfield is ready to bring back the event in a shorter format on Saturday, Feb. 15.
The festivities will last from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include a chili cook-off at the fire department, ice skating at the new rink near the community center, a snowman contest for children and a snow-sculpting contest for adults. There will also be a father-daughter dance in the community center gymnasium from 5 to 8 p.m.
Fort Fairfield Parks and Recreation director Kevin Senal said that the last town winter carnival was held in the mid-1990s. The planning committee is hoping to get feedback from community members about whether they would like to continue winter carnival as an annual event, possibly expanded to two days.
Fort Fairfield Elementary School students Alex Santiago, 10, (left) and Melanie Gagnon help each other build a snow tunnel during an extra recess on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. Fort Fairfield will kick off its revived Winter Carnival on Feb. 15, with an array of afternoon activities for children and adults. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star-Herald)
With the town’s new skating rink, Senal said that they were looking for a fun way to encourage families to get outside on a winter day.
“I’m looking forward to seeing lots of people use the ice rink that day. We will have daytime hours as well as our evening hours that day,” Senal said. “We are always trying to work together and find fun activities for folks to do.”
Fort Fairfield recently opened the skating rink, located next to the town office and community center, for free skate rentals from 5 to 7 pm. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Anyone who already owns skates is allowed to use the rink outside of the free rental hours.
Senal views the new winter carnival as another fun way to encourage families to remain active throughout the winter season.
“We think winter recreation is important to promote all winter long,” Senal said.
