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.
Annual Guy Fortin Co-Ed Broomball Tournament Similar to hockey, but no skates or skills needed! Gather up some friends, family, or co-workers to have some fun on the ice. If you have never played before, don't worry, you're qualified. Such a fun winter sport to play, and probably even more fun to watch. Ages 16+, bring a helmet, we can provide the sticks. $10 per player. All proceeds go to the Winter Festival Fireworks. Deadline for registration is Feb. 18th.
Discover Newport Scavenger Hunt 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!
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 2/11, you may start sculpting as early as 2/19 and judging will take place at Winter Fest! Ice Sculpting Contest This contest can be done ahead of time and dropped off to Gardner Park in the morning for display. You can be creative, freeze a water balloon with some food coloring and make an ice-o-lantern. Your fantastically frozen design will be on display and judging will take place throughout the day, categories may include adult and youth/ best frozen in place design, best carved, most original.
Slap Shot Shoot-Out 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. Farcical Figure Skating 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 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!
Sledding and Snow Tunnels at Prouty Beach The world famous Prouty Sledding Hill will be open for your sledding enjoyment. New to Prouty Beach this year are the soon to be world famous snow tunnels. Go through them like an arctic explorer and enjoy the adventure.
Fireworks To finish the night, a spectacular Winter Festival fireworks display can be seen over Lake Memphremagog at 7PM with breathtaking views from the waterfront at Prouty Beach. Fireworks are launched from the Veteran's Memorial Long Bridge near railroad square, and many locals enjoy the show from the Waterfront Plaza parking lot or Gardner Memorial Park. Please note that the Railroad Square Bridge will be closed between 3PM-10PM on Saturday, February 26 for fireworks set up and break down.
Age: All Ages Date: Saturday, February 26, 2022 Time: 9AM-7:30PM Location: Gardner Park, Newport Admit/Rate: Donations to fundraisers help support the event!
-WINTER FESTIVAL SCHEDULE All Day Activities Prouty Beach: Sledding, Snow Tubing, Snowshoe Scavenger Hunt Gardner Park: Snow Sculpture Building Contest on the point & band stand area, Food Truck Rally, Ice Sculpting Contest
8:00AM-8:45 Check-in for morning events at Gardner Park -Broomball, snow sculpting, ice sculpting drop off -Pick up Scavenger Hunt List
9:00AM Broomball Tournament Begins
12:00PM Check in for afternoon events at Gardner Park -Slap Shot Shoot Out, Farcical Figure Skating
1:00PM Slap Shot Shoot-Out Contest/ Judging will begin for ice and snow sculpting
2:00PM Farcical Figure Skating
4:00PM Chuck-A-Puck 50/50 hosted by the Rec. Committee
4:30PM Award Announcements 7:00PM Winter Festival Fireworks