GLSP 27th Annual Winter Festival

Grafton Lakes State Park and the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park will host the 27th Annual Winter Festival and Ice Fishing Contest on Saturday, January 21. The Winter Fest will feature winter exhibits, vendors, family friendly and recreational activities. The Winter Fest is free of charge and main events run from 10 am to 4 pm.
The annual ice fishing contest draws about 200 fishermen annually and will run from 5 am to 3 pm on all the ponds in the Park. Participants can stop by the Park Office to pre-register or register starting at 5 am on January 21 at the Park’s maintenance shop. A $10 entry fee for adults 16 and older is required to participate in the fishing tournament.  Children may enter at no charge. Please remember that all participants 16 and older must have a New York State fishing license to fish in the Park at any time.
The Winter Festival offers environmental and recreational workshops and outings, including snow sculpture and snowball throwing contests for the kids, horse drawn sleigh rides and live animal exhibits. The 5th Annual Polar Plunge hosted by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation jumps into Long Pond at 1 pm and promises to be an awesome and chilly spectacle this year.
The Park will also host the fourth Art in the Park exhibit and silent auction in the maintenance shop, with proceeds benefitting the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park. There will be snowshoe and cross country ski outings throughout the Park at levels for all ages to enjoy. Hot food is also sold during the event.
Visitors may ice skate on Long Pond if conditions permit and rent snowshoes from the Park Office throughout the winter. Snowshoe rental rates are $5 for four hours, and group rates are available. Please call ahead to determine availability and ice conditions.
For more information about the Winter Festival, please call the Park at 518-279-1155.  A full schedule of events is available on Grafton Lakes’ website (www.nysparks.com/parks) in January.