Winterfest February Vacation Activities
- February 14th 2025
- Parks & Recreation
Parks maintenance workers prepare ice rink for Winter Fest 2025
Credit: Kristi King
Compiled by Kristi King
It’s back! The “Ice Fishing Derby” is on February 15 at #1 Pond for ages 15 and younger. This free event is 8-11 am with over $250 in prizes to be given away. Sponsored by Sanford Parks and Rec and the Maine Department of Conservation, there will be free bait and lots of equipment to use, if you don’t have any. Register at #1 Pond from 7:30-9 am. There is a three-trap limit, and parents please support your children. Enjoy free hot chocolate, doughnut holes and coffee. There will be “BBQ at the Rink” at #1 Pond in the ice fishing setup area at 11 am. All participants from the ice fishing derby along with those sledding at Gowen Park or ice-skating at the pond rink are welcome to join the BBQ. It’s a wonderful way to kick the week off right!
The fun continues on Sunday, February 16 by joining others who have the same love for ice skating at #1 Pond Ice Rink. Shain’s of Maine offers a recreation special that includes $1.00 cones and $1.00 hot dogs each day from noon to 8:00 pm daily. Just mention “Jeff’s $1.00 Recreation Special” to get the deal. On Monday, February 17 join us for “Family Fun Sledding” at Gowen Park all day for free. Bring your sled, board, or ski.
“Rock-N-Glo Bowl” sponsored by Bowl-A-Rama is available February 15-22 from noon-2 pm. $15 includes shoe rental, a slice of pizza and a soda. This offer is all week except on Sunday.
“Wheels Fun Day!” at the Memorial Gym is being held from 2-4:30 pm on Tuesday, February 18. Bring anything with wheels: big wheels, tricycles, bicycles, roller skates, wagons, scooters, skateboards, RIP sticks, unicycles, wheelchairs, etc. All ages are welcome. Please enter using door #3 down back.
Also, on the 18th there will be “Bowling Special AM Glo” from 9:30-11:30 am for the cost of $10 for shoes. You must call and make a reservation as space is limited.
On Wednesday, February 19 it’s the “Snow Sculpture Contest” and here’s how it works: build your snow sculpture in your yard and we will be out on Thursday, February 20 by noon to get a picture for the judges. Please call the office at 324-9130 to enter your sculpture team. Teams can be big or small and can include adults. Prizes include gift cards…for 1st place $50, 2nd place $30 and 3rd place $20. We need a minimum of four sculptures for this contest, so please create your snow sculpture and give the judges a call.
Kids can get some great indoor exercise when they join us at the Memorial Gym for free from 2:30-3:30 pm on Thursday, February 20 for the “Blow up Obstacle Course and Gaga Pit.” Please use door #3 at the back of the building and park in the rear of the building. Also, on the 20th there’s an “Open Gym” for grades 3-6 at the Memorial Gym from 2:30-3:30 pm. Feel free to bring balls, wheels and fun indoor toys to this free event. Enter using door #3 and use the locker room at the top of the stairs to change shoes. “Open Gym” for grades 7-12 is at the Middle School Gym from 3:30-4:30 pm. Please enter using door #3 and use the locker room to change shoes for this free event. The “Polar Bear Swim” at the YMCA is available for 40 children, from 1-2pm. All ages are welcome to participate. Y rules request children 7 and under must have an adult accompany them in the pool area. All non-swimmers must have an adult accompany them in the water. You must call the Rec Dept at 324-9130 to register.
On Friday, February 21 an art clinic with teacher Evelyn Nitzberg will be held from 9-11 am where children 2nd grade and up will be “Making Prints with Roll Ink” for a cost of $10. Register at sanfordrec.com as the limit is 12. Enter through door 6 at the Memorial Gym, through the Cafe to the Art Room by following the signs. Wrap up your Winterfest on Sunday the 23rd at Shains of Maine where hot dogs and ice cream are $1.00 each if you tell them “The ice cream man sent me!” Thank you to the Sanford Parks and Rec, Shains of Maine, Bowl-A-Rama, the Maine Dept. of Conversation, Sanford Art Commission, YMCA and gift card sponsors for giving us plenty of fun activities to enjoy on our school break.
