Cazenovia to celebrate the season safely with adapted Winter Festival

By Kate Hill

Staff Writer

This February, Cazenovia will celebrate the season with an adapted version of its traditional Winter Festival.

Organized through a partnership between Project CAFÉ and the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC), the annual celebration typically features a variety of indoor and outdoor activities hosted by a number of different community organizations. Popular events include a snow sculpture contest, ice-skating, a pancake breakfast and a talent show.

Student leaders from Project CAFÉ began planning this year’s festival early last month.

Throughout the week of Feb. 1-7, community members are encouraged to carry out “Random Acts of Kindness.”

“Winter Festival has historically been a time for Cazenovians to ‘come out of hibernation’ to reconnect with friends, neighbors and other members of the community,” Project CAFÉ said in a press release. “The pandemic has made it hard to conduct many of our traditional indoor events this year, but let’s keep that spirit of community connection alive . . . Shovel a neighbor’s walk, deliver a meal to another family, send a note to someone who has made a difference over the past year… be creative.”

The organization also announced the following Winter Festival 2021 events:

Thursday, Feb. 4 and Friday, Feb. 5

Family Ice Skating from 3 to 8 p.m. at Burton Street Skating Rink.

Saturday, Feb. 6

All Day Outdoor Activities at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park. Visit the park anytime this winter to enjoy activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Scholastic Snow Sculpture Construction from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Memorial Park on Albany St. This year’s theme is “Something To Look Forward To.” Judging will take place at noon.

Community Snow Sculpture Competition from the morning through 12:30 p.m. throughout the village. Families, community groups or businesses can pre-register at 315-655-9380.

Downhill Skiing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cazenovia Ski Club. Visit skicaz.com for hours, prices and additional information. The ski area will be offering a Winter Fest New Member Special — purchase a 2022 ski season membership during Winter Fest and ski the remainder of the 2021 season free.

Scholastic Winter Olympics from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Cazenovia High School Track. Grades 8-12 will face off in snow volleyball, tug of war, human sled dog races, snow tower building, an obstacle relay race and a scavenger hunt. Community members are invited to cheer them on.

Family Ice Skating from 12 to 7 p.m. at the Burton Street Skating Rink.

Sunday, Feb. 7

Snow Sculptures on display all day throughout the village.

All Day Outdoor Activities at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park. Visit the park anytime this winter to enjoy activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Family Ice Skating from 12 to 7 p.m. at Burton Street Skating Rink.

“We’re disappointed that the slate of activities is more limited than usual for safety reasons, but we are happy that the decades-old Winter Festival tradition could continue nonetheless,” said Project CAFÉ advisor and Village Mayor Kurt Wheeler. “The slate of safe, outdoor activities that is planned will still give people a chance to get out with their families and have something to look forward to.”

All outdoor events are subject to weather conditions. Updates will be available at projectcafe.org or cazenovia.com.