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Winterfest returns on Saturday, January 27, 2024 with all the classic traditions – ice carving, doggie fashion show, Polar Plunge, great food, a story walk, face painting, and more!
What happens when you bring together ice carving, a polar plunge, fashionable dogs, music, and delicious food on a winter’s day? That’s right — the famous Camden Winterfest! The Camden Public Library is delighted to announce that the 21st annual Camden Winterfest will take place on Saturday, January 27 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM with all of the beloved traditions.
The festivities begin on Saturday, January 27 at 11:00 AM in the Camden Amphitheatre. Visitors can watch teams of amateur ice sculptors and two professionals transform 300-pound, crystal-clear blocks of ice into sparkling masterpieces.
There will be hot food available outdoors, served up by Winterfest volunteers, including hot dogs provided by French & Brawn, cookies from Megunticook Market, chili from the Bagel Cafe, and cocoa. The food booth will be run by volunteers from the First National Bank, and all proceeds from food sales will benefit the Camden Public Library and parks.
At 12:00 noon, the public is invited to bring their dressed-up dogs to the center of the Amphitheatre for another installment of the popular Doggie Fashion Show. Participants do not need to sign up ahead of time but should line up in the Amphitheatre at 11:45 AM. The first 25 participants will win a dog-lover-worthy prize. Outfits can be as simple or elaborate as the dog prefers!
At 12:30 PM, kids and families can join children’s librarian Miss Amy for a wintery Story Walk through the Amphitheatre and Harbor Park.
Visitors can always pop into the Camden Public Library to warm up, where Miss Amy will be leading creative winter crafts and face-painting.
At 1:00 PM, the most dramatic of Winterfest traditions will take place: the Polar Plunge. Participants will run and splash into the frigid Camden Harbor to benefit Sundog Outdoor Expeditions. Brave the icy waters or watch from the comfort of your winter coat. All proceeds from the Polar Plunge are to benefit the Sundog Outdoor Leadership Initiative. To sign up for the Sundog Polar Plunge, visit sundogoe.com/polar-plunge.
Camden Winterfest is made possible by the generous support of First National Bank, in-kind donations from French & Brawn Market Place, The Bagel Cafe, Megunticook Market, Laugh Loud Smile Big, Rankin’s Hardware, and a dedicated team of volunteers.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
10:00 AM – Ice Carving Teams arrive
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Indoor activities for kids with Miss Amy including crafts and face painting
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Delicious hot food, music, ice carving
11:45 AM – Line up for Doggie Fashion Show
12:00 PM – Doggie Fashion Show
12:30 PM – Story Walk with Miss Amy around the Amphitheatre and Harbor Park
1:00 PM – Polar Plunge, put on by Sundog Outdoor Expeditions
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM – More hot food, treats, music, ice carving, etc!
Thank you to everyone who signed up for an ice block! There are no more ice blocks available. But be sure to come watch the carvers at work – amateurs and professionals – during Winterfest on Saturday, January 27!
Have you ever wanted to try ice carving? Winterfest is your chance to transform a crystal-clear block of ice into a sparkling sculpture! No experience is necessary and all tools will be provided. Sign up for an ice block on your own or with friends, a group, school, or organization. It’s a blast for all ages! Thanks to help from First National Bank, we have reduced the price to $60/ice block for each team!
Once you’ve signed up, you or your group will plan out a design for your ice sculpture on paper. During Winterfest, professional ice carvers Tim Pierce and Hector Pietra-Santa will rough out the design from your 300-pound block of ice using a chainsaw. You’ll then turn it into your own masterpiece with traditional ice carving hand tools.
WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:
Thank you to First National Bank for making Winterfest possible!
AND IN-KIND DONATIONS FROM:
