Newport Winter Festival

The Winter Festival is a nostalgic visit from the past. We use the weekend to celebrate timeless Vermont traditions like snowmobiling, ice skating, sledding, and bonfires. Nothing chases the frostbite blues away like heartwarming time spent with family and friends. Whether you're participating in activities or simply watching, you're going to love this winter wonderland weekend. ​
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Discover Newport Scavenger Hunt: pick up 10am-due back by 3pm
A fun activity to do with the kids! Come by the skate shack by 9am to get a bag and your list of the City's hidden gems to find on your trek.  Hike through our new nature walk trail from Prouty around the Bluff Farm trails, after that come into downtown and grab lunch. Pictures and physical items will be on the list, so make sure you have a phone or camera to snap pictures! The team with the most items found wins, all teams must be back with their items by 3pm at the Skate Shack.

Snow Sculpting Contest
Calling all artists, come on down and show the world what you got.  You will have one week to create the best snow sculpture Newport has ever seen.  Categories may include most original, best snow person, best in SNOW, largest, etc.   Be creative and have fun!  All participants must be registered by 2/9,  you may start sculpting as early as 2/17 and judging will take place at Winter Fest!  
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Slap Shot Shoot-Out:; 1:00pm
If you have skills on the ice and think you can hang with the big leaguers, then don't be a hoser...try out with the best of 5 long distance accuracy shots.  Most pucks in the net wins.
Sign up the day of Winterfest at the Ice Shack between 9am-12pm. 
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Farcical Figure Skating: 2:00pm
Have you always had dreams of skating in the Olympics like Brian Boitano or Kristi Yamaguchi?  Well now is your chance...almost.  Design your best blades of glory costume and get ready to shine.  Each contestant will have 3 minutes to show the Northeast Kingdom your best routine.  You can have fun with it and be funny, doubles and singles will be accepted.  Judging on youth and adult categories may include most likely to be in the Olympics,  most likely to get kicked out of the Olympics,  most challenging routine, and judges choice.
Sign up the day of Winterfest at the Ice Shack between 9am-12pm. ​

Chuck-A-Puck: 4:00pm
The Newport Recreation Committee is excited to host the famous and exciting Chuck-A-Puck contest.  Pucks will be sold throughout the day in the Skate Shack and the big chucking will be the culmination of the Winter Fest activities at 4pm.  The closest puck to the bullseye wins the 50/50, so bring some bucks and buy some pucks!

Cardboard Sled Race at Prouty Beach: 10am @ Prouty Beach
 
Divisions:
10am: youth 10 and under
10:30am: youth 11 and up
11:00am:  adults/ family division
 
Awards: ($25 downtown dollars for the winning team)
  • King of the Hill – Fastest Sled (Each Division)
  • Best Dressed – Best looking sled, this includes the small details (One per Division)
  • Theme Star – Who was the most spirited team-theme! (One per Division)
 
Rules:
Cardboard, duct tape and glue is all that can be used in the construction of the sled. The sled shall consist of ONLY those three items. Painting or coloring the sled is welcomed and encouraged. No cardboard tubing, Styrofoam, cellophane, plastic, or any other type of material should be used.
  • All sled racers are strongly encouraged to wear helmets.
  • At least one racer must be in the sled. More than one racer can ride a sled during the race, provided all participants are inside or on top of the sled.
  • Format will be single elimination. In the event that there are not many teams in a division, it will change to double elimination.
  • Hard items that could be dangerous to you or other event participants cannot be used. The following items absolutely cannot be used: wood, glass, metal and plastics.
  • If a sled does not pass inspection or re-inspection by staff, it will not be allowed the participate or may not be allowed on the hill.
  • No more than 4 occupants will be permitted on any one sled.
  • Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your race time to check-in.
  • Racers are allowed to receive a push off at the top of the hill.
  • Sled construction shall consist of cardboard, glue and tape.
  • Teams will be categorized by the oldest participant of the team.
  • The judges have a right to remove participants from categories if they think that a sled breaks the rule of the category.
  • The pilot and all riders must have read and understand the rules and have signed a waiver.
  • The sled will need to race more than once.
  • To qualify as a finisher, all occupants must be in or on your sled rather than chasing it or being chased by it as you cross the finish line.
 
 REGISTRATION
Each team must designate a TEAM PARENT/MANAGER and only that person can register. The team manager will register based on the oldest participant (if an adult is racing, the sled will go to the Family Class) and will add all the sled riders during the registration process. 
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Umbrella Winter Carnival: 10am-12pm in the Municipal Gym
Join the Umbrella team for games, activities, snacks in the Municipal Gym

Winter Snowshoe Tour: Bluffside Farm 10am-11:30
join Vermont Land Trust on a snowshoe tour of Bluffside Farm from 10am-11:30AM,  for more information go to: https://vlt.org/events/bluffside-farm-ski-and-snowshoe-tour/ 

Sledding at Prouty Beach
The world famous Prouty Sledding Hill will be open for your sledding enjoyment.  

Skate for Free at the Skate Shack
Come on down and enjoy one of Vermont's largest outdoor public skating areas.  The ice shack will be open all day and the ice will be open to skating before and after scheduled events. 

Memphremagog Winter Swimming Festival
Come down to the East Side Restaurant and watch swimmers from across the country and the world compete in North Americas ONLY lake winter swimming pool.  For more information go to:
 https://kingdomgames.co/memphremagog-winter-swimming-society/

Coulter Memorial Pond Hockey Tournament Sunday 2/23, 9am
This tournament is in memory of Ryan and Tyler Coulter,  play is 3 on 3 and format will depend on number of teams (double elimination or round robin).   To register your team contact: Jeremy Roberge at 802-624-1319
Age: All Ages
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Time:   10am-2pm 
Location: Gardner Park, Newport/ Prouty Beach
Admit/Rate: Donations to fundraisers help support the event!
-WINTER FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
All Day Activities
Prouty Beach: Sledding, Snow Tubing
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Gardner Park:  Snow Sculpture Building Contest at the band stand area, Food Truck Rally, Ice Skating
                
10:00AM Cardboard Sledding Competition at Prouty Beach
-Pick Up Scavenger Hunt List at Skate Shack

10:00-11:30AM Winter Snowshoe Tour at Bluffside Farm
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10:00-12:00PM  Umbrella Winter Carnival games, snacks in the Municipal Gym

11:00AM- 4pm Winter Fest Carnival Games at Gardner Park (snowball toss, blast zone, ring toss, +)

12:00PM Check in for afternoon events at                            Gardner Park 
              -Slap Shot Shoot Out,  Farcical Figure                                      Skating, skate races

1:00PM Slap Shot Shoot-Out Contest/ Judging                    will begin for snow sculpting

2:00PM Farcical Figure Skating

3:00PM Youth Skate Races
            Scavenger Hunt List due back

4:00PM Chuck-A-Puck 50/50 hosted by the Rec.                 Committee
                       
4:00-8:00PM Open Skating 

February 23rd: Coulter Memorial Pond Hockey