WESTBROOK – After a wet and mild weekend in January led to the cancellation of some key events, Westbrook’s Winter West Festival will be back this weekend with plenty of activities for all ages.
During the weekend of Jan. 11-12, temperatures in the 40s caused headaches for festival organizers, who were forced to cancel a 5K run, sled dog races, and ice hockey and skating events.
However, most of the canceled events have been rescheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 15, and the current forecast looks promising, with lows of 9 degrees and highs in the low 30s.
The portion of the festival in January wasn’t an entire bust, however, as a snow sculpture contest in Saccarappa Park yielded many creative pieces, and residents gathered at the Dana Warp Mill for the annual Inaugural Ball.
Maria Dorn, Westbrook’s director of community services and chairwoman of this year’s festival committee, commented that while key events had to be postponed, the January event was still a success.
“Friday night was simply magnificent,” she said, speaking of the family skating event in Riverbank Park. “There was a large crowd at the park, people were out and about all over town, and Catbird Creamery sold out of ice cream.”
She also said that, despite the weather, the pancake breakfast and the chili luncheon at the Dunn Street Legion Hall were a huge hit.
This weekend’s events include the rescheduled dog sled races, 5K run and more family skating. Winter West includes the following events, all on Saturday unless otherwise noted:
Pancake breakfast: 8-10:30 a.m., Dunn Street American Legion Hall ($6 adults/$4 children)
Sled dog races (Saturday and Sunday): 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m., Sunset Ridge Golf Links (free)
Family skating in park: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Riverbank Park (free)
Horse-drawn carriage rides: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Riverbank Park (free)
Frozen 5K Fun Run & Walk: 11 a.m., Ash Street Lot , Main Street ($25 entry fee)
Chilly Chili Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Dunn Street American Legion Hall ($5 per person)
“Heart 2 Heart” Valentine’s Dance Party (ages 3-7): 1-3 p.m., Westbrook Community Center ($5 per child))
Kids’ Night Out: Games, crafts, movies and dancing, 4:30-9 p.m., Drouin Dance Center ($20 per child)
Community outdoor bonfire: 6 p.m., Sunset Ridge Golf Links (free)
For more information visit facebook.com/WinterWestFestival.
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