EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton’s annual WinterFest has returned for the 12th time, bringing a slate of fun activities for all to enjoy while raising funds to benefit the city’s iconic Nashawannuck Pond.

WinterFest has become a beloved community event and a major fundraiser for the maintenance of Nashawannuck Pond. Hosted by Friends of Nashawannuck Pond and the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee, WinterFest invites community members to participate in a range of events both in person and online from Jan. 1 through Feb. 8. Whether it’s a snowflake making contest or a polar plunge, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, and the funds raised throughout will help keep Nashawannuck Pond scenic and healthy.

“It was Liz Provo, a retired Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee member, who had the vision,” explained Beth Tiffany, a current Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee and Friends of Nashawannuck Pond member. The festival began as a fundraiser with just two activities: an ice harvest and a community fire by the pond. Over the years, more organizations and businesses started to get involved.

“We now have over 40 activities spanning over four weeks of family filled fun,” Tiffany enthused.

Most WinterFest events are free to attend, though donations are accepted.

Proceeds from WinterFest cover the approximate costs for yearly pond maintenance such as herbicide treatments, barley straw deployment to deter cyanobacteria, treating invasive species and administrative costs. Concept plans are also currently being reviewed for one shoreline stabilization access wall that was put in place in 2001 to prevent erosion.

“In addition to the annual costs, we hope to also raise more funds to support financing for the restoration and public access of a stabilization wall in area 3,” said Tiffany in an email to the Gazette. “There are six walls, we are only doing this one now.”

The Steering Committee is working with GZA Environmental on the wall, and Tiffany said that the plans alone cost $9,600 — about $5,330 of which has already been raised by Friends of the Nashawannuck Pond.

For those with a shortage of time or who want to join in on the fun from the comfort of home, there is a lineup of online events to participate in, including a Nashawannuck Pond photo contest, a snowflake making contest, a pond trivia contest and Mt. Tom ice cream flavor contest.

In person, Abandoned Building Brewery will host The One Man Party Trivia on Feb. 1, a Bingo night on Feb. 6, it’s popular chili tasting on Feb. 7 and WinterFest After Dark, complete with live music, on Feb. 8.

Saturday, Feb. 8 will be a day filled with festive activities, both indoors and outdoors, for all to enjoy. Outside, community members can try their hand at historical ice harvesting on the pond alongside historian Dennis Picard, using a pond saw to “harvest” blocks of ice and getting the chance to learn about Easthampton’s role in the ice industry.

There will also be a nature walk in Arcadia, Clay Hill Farm draft horse wagon rides, a community fire by the pond and photo ops by Bumble.

The Easthampton Fire Department will also be hosting their Polar Plunge for the second year, which Tiffany said was previously a success.

“Last year’s Polar Plunge sponsored by Easthampton Fire Department was a great hit,” she said. “We are hoping for the same turnout this year.”

For those who want to have some fun while warming up inside, numerous events will also be taking place in Keystone Mill at 122 Pleasant St., including a vendor fair, a dance demonstration by Art in Motion, magic by Ed Popielarczyk, puppeteering by Tom Knight and a show by Family Jungle Entertainment. Activities will also be presented by the Easthampton Library, Valley Art Supplies, Arcadia, the Council on Aging and Easthampton Skate Club.

Visitors will also have the chance to meet some furry friends: K-9 Gino from the Easthampton Police Department will be available for a meet and greet, and Easthampton Feed will bring Brown the cow for a “Cuddle a Cow” event.

Greenfield Savings Bank will also be providing transportation via the Boylston Rooms Trolley from 10-3, with stops at the pond, Arcadia and the Keystone Building.

The full WinterFest events calendar can be viewed at www.nashawannuckpond.org/winterfest.html.

Those interested in volunteering at WinterFest can sign up at https://signup.com/go/WUqQfqx. For more information, visit the Nashawannuck Pond website at www.nashawannuckpond.org.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.