The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Snow Was Perfect For The 27th Annual Winter Fest

By

submitted by Elena Shoemaker, GLSP

The morning snowfall came just in time. Saturday’s snow created the perfect backdrop to another successful Winter Fest. For 27 years, Grafton Lakes State Park’s Winter Festival has been the highlight of the usually dormant winter season by offering outdoor enjoyment and free entertainment for the whole family.
[private]This year many favorite vendors and exhibitors returned, and a few new faces were also welcomed. Newcomers Out of the Pits, a not for profit group who rescues pit bull terriers while providing outreach and education, were a big hit with their Kiss-a-Bull kissing booth. L.L. Bean successfully lead hourly hikes on some of the Park’s many trails. Old favorites such as the Touch n’ Explore Wildlife education table, face painting and the popular horse drawn sleigh rides provided by Indian Creek Farm were also present this year. Meanwhile, the Park’s new Concessionaire Brunswick Barbeque & Brew joined forces with Our Lady of the Snow and the Ladies Auxiliary to provide refreshments to patrons and exhibitors alike. All in all, the Park saw approximately 1,250 visitors this year.
A popular draw of Winter Fest is our annual ice fishing contest. This year was no different; 37 children and 144 adults participated. The grand cash prize of $500 went to Brendon Doyle for his 23¾ inch pickerel catch. The top prizes were:
Grand Prize – Brendon Doyle – 23¾ inch pickerel

Grand Prize Winner - Brendon Doyle. Photo courtesy of Elena Shoemaker.

Adult’s Top Prizes
Perch – Jeff Brock (13”)
Pickerel – Jeff Waytkus (23½”)
Trout – Randall French (21½”)
Children’s Top Prizes
Perch – Tyler Lindsey (14”)
Pickerel – Jarod Paginello (21½”)

21½ inch trout caught by Randall French. Photo courtesy of Randall French.
Yeow! These hardy souls took the icy plunge at the Winter Fest at Grafton Lakes State Park Saturday to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. Members of the New York State Police Ice Dive Team in wet suits got into the frigid water with the plungers to insure their safety. The Grafton Ambulance was also on scene. Photo by Randy Kneer.

As always, the Park would like to thank the sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible: Averill Park Septic, Brunswick Barbeque and Brew, Eastern Mountain Sports, Graftonondack Outfitters and Boat Livery, Grimm Building Co., Insurance Agency Group of New York, John Ray & Sons, L.L.Bean, Main Care Oil, Marra’s Pharmacy, Poestenkill Auto Supply Inc., Rifenburg Construction, Seymour’s Motor Sports, Stewart’s, Stone Industries, Taconic Plastics, Tremont Hardware, Unifirst Uniforms, Warren Fane Inc., AKF Equipment, Atlantis Equipment, Beecroft’s, Conroy’s Bait Supply, Edlemann’s Sales, Flying Arrow Sports, Grafton Hills Bottled Water, Grafton Trail Blazers, Guptill’s, Henry Hudson Planetarium, Honest Weight Food Co-op, Hoosick True Value, Hudson River Tractor, Lakeview Inn, Marpe’s Pizzeria & Country Store, Mohawk Army & Navy, Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club, Price Chopper – Brunswick, Village Discount Wines & Liquors, Wiley Brothers and Young’s Pharmacy.

A new booth this year was the Kiss-a-Bull kissing booth sponsored by Out of the Pits, a group that rescues pit bull terriers. After kissing the bull it is clear to this woman that they can be wonderful dogs and very lovable, too. Photo by Randy Kneer.

 

This booth shows the wares of Graftonondack Outfitters and Boat Livery of Grafton. Photo courtesy of Elena Shoemaker, GLSP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready Set Go: Saturday was a great day at the Winter Fest at GLSP. Everyone enjoyed the events, and there was enough snow to have fun. Here some youths start the youth snow shoe race at the beach. Photo by Randy Kneer.
The perennial horse drawn sleigh ride provided by Indian Creek Farm always gives Winter Fest-goers a good time. Photo by Randy Kneer.

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