WinterFest offers rare snow sighting
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Even with snow in short supply, an estimated 1,000 people attended the WinterFest 2012 at the Cherry Hill Golf Course on Saturday where the rare chance to sled was one of the day's highlights.
Barbara Bilz, general manager of Cherry Hill, said warm temperatures stymied snow-making efforts all week but using ice shavings trucked in from Orr Rink at Amherst College, volunteers managed to make a small sledding hill with enough white stuff left over to make sculptures.
"Everyone rallied despite the lack of snow and they really got into the spirit of the day and had a great time," said Claudia Pazmany, president of the Friends of Amherst Recreation Inc., one of the sponsors of the fifth-annual event.
Organizers tweaked planned events and added new ones to adapt.
Beside the classic cardboard sled race, activities included a Frisbee toss, putting contest, bird-watching trek, wine and cheese tasting, a cider doughnut-eating contest, horse-drawn wagon rides, a bonfire for toasting marshmallows and fireworks.
"I love the warmer weather and I am not disappointed at all that there is no snow," said Kim Salditt-Poulin of Amherst as she watched her 8-year-old son Zac getting his fingerprints taken for an identification kit offered by the Amherst Police Department.
Five local restaurants also participated in a chili-tasting competition. The Black Sheep Deli received the Judges Choice Award, while the Amherst Brewing Co. won the Peoples Choice Award.
Youngsters seemed to be enjoying face-painting, hula hooping as well as the sledding.
"Let's go - this is going to be awesome!" exclaimed 3-year-old Andrew Beauchemin of East Bridgewater as his father, Joe, hauled sleds out of the family car.
Beauchemin and his sons Andrew and Zachary, 5, were visiting the boys' grandfather in Shutesbury and decided to get out for some winter fun. "My little guy has never been sledding before so he is really looking forward to this," Beauchemin said.
"This is a very sweet, lovely family day," said Victoria Cliche of Leverett. "It is very low-tech and quaint and there is something here for everybody, though the weather and lack of snow makes it feel more like a spring or fall fest."
David Morrison of Worthington said the highlight for him was watching the Flying High Frisbee Dogs presented by Mike Piazza of Nahant and his three Border collies.
"I love Border collies," he said. "They are very intelligent and energetic dogs and these dogs here today were very impressive."
Morrison also entered the doughnut-eating contest but was outdone by Micha Mintz of Amherst who downed three doughnuts in three minutes.
"This is the first time that I have ever won a doughnut-eating competition. It feels pretty good," said Mintz, who received a prize of gift certificates.
Over 120 volunteers helped with the event. "Most of the volunteers come from UMass and they have all been great," said Tina Acker, the volunteer coordinator.
"We are very happy with the turnout," Bilz said .
"We are hoping to be able to make enough to be able to donate some of the proceeds towards replacing and repairing playground equipment in Amherst."
