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GORODN DANIELS

There was plenty of snow a year ago for children to have some fun on this sledding hill during the 2011 WinterFest in Amherst.

A year ago, Cherry Hill Golf Course was buried under mountains of snow in advance of the annual WinterFest.

Although snow has been scarce this year, the town's winter party will take place Saturday no matter what Mother Nature has in store.

"We are going to do our best to make snow, so we will have snow there," said Barb Bilz, assistant director of Leisure Services and Supplemental Education.

Bilz said the Friends of Amherst Recreation have a snow-making machine that will churn out enough of the white stuff to build both the SuperPipe sledding hill, where participants can bring their own sleds or use ones at the site, and a smaller incline where the Cardboard Classic sled race, one of the WinterFest staples, will be held.

The festival runs from 1 to 6 p.m. at the course at 323 Montague Road.

The Cardboard Classic, which begins at 4:15 p.m., features homemade sleds made from cardboard.

"People are already working on them," said Bilz, noting that past years' entries have included sleds that looked like pirate ships, fire engines and sea monsters.

Another annual feature is the chili tasting contest, during which the public can sample offerings from six area restaurants, including the people's choice and judge's choice winners from last year, Black Sheep Deli and Chandler's, respectively. Others contending for the title will be Atkins Farms Country Market, Amherst Brewing Co., The Harp and Chef Bill.

One new activity will be the Frosty Fun Kids Karnival sponsored by Multi-Arts, a nonprofit organization based in Amherst and Hadley. It will run from 1 to 3 p.m. providing arts and crafts activities, face painting and a puppet show.

Food will be available for purchase at the Atkins food court throughout the day.

A lack of snow could alter some of the activities, such as cross-country ski lessons, but Bilz said contingency plans are underway.

Contests will include Atkins cider doughnut eating at 3 p.m., long toss and putting with Frisbees at 3:30 p.m. and orange golf ball driving at 2 p.m.

Family activities include ice sculpture making at 3 p.m., Muddy Brook Farm wagon rides between 1:30 and 4 p.m., and a bird-watching trek and birds of prey demonstration, both at 2:30 p.m.

A wine and cheese tasting for adults will take place at 5 p.m.

Wildcat O'Halloran, who takes the stage at 1:30 p.m., and Hobson's Razor, on at 3 p.m., are the musical entertainment.

Amherst police will have identification kits for children, and there is expected to be an appearance by Sam the Minuteman, the mascot for the University of Massachusetts.

Fireworks will end the event.

Tickets can be purchased at the event and are $8 for adults, $7 for students 16 and over and $5 for children. Families can pay a flat $20 fee.

Tickets are also available at the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce on Amity Street, Atkins Farms Country Market on West Street, Hastings on South Pleasant Street and Amherst Leisure Services office at the Bangs Community Center.

Bilz said money raised beyond the cost of the event will go toward renovating municipal playgrounds.

For more information, visit www.winterfestamherst.com or call 259-3065.