Grafton Lakes State Park’s 24th Annual Winter Festival and Ice Fishing Contest will take place on Saturday January 24 from 10 am to 4 pm.
All cross country ski and snowshoe rentals will be at the EMS tent next to the beach area. Rentals will be available from 10 am to 2 pm.
Early Morning Start
5 am to 3 pm – Ice Fishing Tournament – registration in Bay 1, closes at 11 am; awards at 4 pm. The contest is held on all five ponds.
Early Bird Breakfast at Grafton’s Town Store – 5:30 to 9 am.
Starting At 10 am
Ice Skating Activities (Bring your ice skates, no rentals available) ą Long Pond (ends 4 pm)
Sled Dog History. Meet the Second Chance Sled Dogs ą Beach (ends 11:30 am)
Embrace the Cold with EMS, Winter Activities Demo – EMS Tent by Beach area (ends 2 pm)
Intermediate Snowshoe Outing on NIMO and Spruce Bog Trail ą Meet at Maintenance Shop, Rent from EMS (see above) (ends 12 pm)
Children’s Animal Tracking Snowshoe Outing – Meet in front of park office (ends 11 am)
Starting At 11 am
Winter Fest Exhibits Open at Maintenance Shop and Beach (Close at 4 pm)
Art In The Park Exhibit and Silent Auction Open to the Public – Maintenance Shop (Winning Bids Available 3 pm)
Face Painting – Bay 1 of Shop (ends 2 pm)
Five Rivers Environmental Center- Amphibians and Reptiles (ends 4 pm)
Wildlife Learning Centerą Living Wildlife of New York State (ends 3 pm)
Starting At Noon
Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides with Viewmere Farms – Leaves from Beach Parking Lot (ends 3 pm)
Ice Rescue Demonstration with Spectator
Participation – Beach area in front of Boat House (ends 12:30 pm)
Snowshoe Race with Prizes for Kids ą Beach (ends 1 pm)
Starting At 12:30 pm
Ice Dive ą Beach area in front of Boat House (ends 1 pm)
Starting At 1 pm
Snow Sculpture Contest Registration at Concession and Construction Begins at South Side of Main Lot (Judging at 3 pm, Awards at 3:30)
Polar Plunge into Long Pond (pre-registered participants only). Spectators welcome! (ends 1:15)
Snowmobile Tour with the Grafton Trail Blazers – Bring your own snowmobile and meet at Deerfield Pavilion (to 2 pm)
Mountain Bike Ice Ride – meet at Mill Pond Parking Lot (ends 3 pm)
Starting At 1:30 pm
Kids’ Snow Ball Throwing Contest with Prizes – Beach Area (ends 2 pm)
Starting At 2 pm
Cross Country Ski Outing led by the Taconic Hiking Club – Meet outside Park Office (ends 3pm)
Leave no Trace Workshop – Meet In Park Office (ends 2:30 pm)
Starting At 3 pm
Snow Sculpture Judging Begins – South Side of Main Lot
Art in the Park Auction Winning Bids Announced – Maintenance Shop
Starting At 3:30 pm
Snow Sculpture Awards with Yorkie the Bear – Beach Concession
Starting At 4 pm
Ice Fishing Contest Awards – Bay 1
For more information, please contact Liz Wagner, Park Naturalist at 279-1155.