Beginning in 2005, as we crept closer to spring, Barb began observing the pond daily, jotting down the day when no ice was visible looking from shore to shore while standing at the same spot near the boardwalk. 

This year, we're letting everyone get into the action by entering our Great Nashawannuck Pond Thaw prediction contest.  The winner with the closest date will receive 50% of all entry proceeds  - -  along with awesome bragging rights, and the balance of the proceeds will remain with The Friends of Nashawannuck Pond, Inc. to help keep the pond healthy!

If you want to learn more about the contest and how to enter, check it out here.

WinterFest 2026
Dates: January 2 – February 14, 2026
Location: Various locations throughout Easthampton

WinterFest is a community-wide, family-friendly fundraiser hosted by Friends of Nashawannuck Pond and the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee to support the health and restoration of Nashawannuck Pond. Funds raised support invasive species management, cyanobacteria prevention, and future infrastructure projects, including the reconstruction of a stabilization wall planned for spring. The multi-day festival features approximately 30 events over six weeks, including online contests, trivia, and arts and crafts and a chili tasting event.

THE MAIN EVENT: Saturday, February 14th:  The day will feature nature activities, an historical ice harvest demonstration, wagon rides, lots of family-friendly indoor activities, and for the truly winter enthusiasts - the 3rd Annual Freezin' For a Reason Polar Plunge on the pond!

Many events are free thanks to generous business sponsorships. Donations are always appreciated.

​Full calendar and details: www.nashawannuckpond.org/winterfest

​Outdoor events are weather permitting.

IMPORTANT WINTERFEST UPDATE!  Out of an abundance of caution regarding the increased presence of COVID-19 in our community, INDOOR WinterFest activities have been cancelled, or postponed. As a city committee, the Nashawannuck Pond Committee must follow the city health director’s guidance regarding eliminating indoor public gatherings at this time. 

This directive does NOT apply to individual businesses and organizations who wish to hold events during WinterFest.  In order to help the public best identify "official" WinterFest activities, committee sponsored activities show as “Featured Events” on our calendar.  All other activities are sponsored by private businesses or organizations. 

We hope you will enjoy all the wonderful outdoor and online activities we have worked hard to plan this year. We also wish to thank our many sponsors of WinterFest. 

They say it takes a village . . . . It sure does, especially when working out the logistics of the long standing tradition of creating a visual lighting display on the pond.  A group of semi-secret "elves" led by Mike LaValley, owner of The Brass Cat, made sure that the tree shined its light for all to see for more than twenty years. After a year's absence, a number of volunteers decided to bring the tradition back and worked hard to gather supplies and labor to make it happen. 

In late November, a tree was once again donated by Mrs. Mumblo who had a Christmas Tree Farm for many years in town. The Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee, led by Paul Nowak, Pat Brough from Finck and Perras Insurance Co., volunteers and equipment from Williston Northampton School, Chief Alberti from the Easthampton Police Dept. and Dan Whiteley, of Whiteley Electric who supplied the technical lighting knowledge and electrical power made it all happen.  Paul put his boat captain license to good work as he guided the tree by boat to its resting spot. 

The pond lighting display joins the light on Mt. Tom as a symbol. Let the light shine each night as we keep in mind what a wonderful, caring community we are lucky to have. Pasqualina Azzarello, our City Arts Coordinator, says it best. . . "Easthampton, a little city with a big heart."

MEDIA ALERT

December 16, 2019

For Immediate Release

Contact Information:

Liz Provo, Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee - WinterFest Chair
[email protected]
(413) 539-7950
www.nashawannuckpond.org

City plans 7th Annual Easthampton WinterFest to celebrate winter and raise funds for Nashawannuck Pond.

Easthampton, MA  - On Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 the 7th Annual Easthampton WinterFest will be held in locations throughout the city. The festivities begin Friday evening with the screening of "The Story of Nashawannuck Pond" and a short introduction to "Albert Kiesling", held at Easthampton Media in conjunction with ArtWalk. The festival is organized by the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee and is a fundraising event created to bring public awareness about ongoing efforts needed to keep Nashawannuck Pond healthy for generations to come.  Most activities are free to attend due to generous business sponsorship, and are family friendly. Donations are gladly accepted.

An Historical Ice Harvest on Nashawannuck Pond features historian, Dennis Picard. Participants can try their hands at using a pond saw to "harvest" blocks of ice as they learn about Easthampton's part in the area's ice industry. Other outdoor activities include a nature walk at Arcadia and draft horse wagon rides.

Indoor activities include a Craft & Vendor Fair with over 90 vendors, a student recital by The Prindle School, student art show and art workshops, Salsa dance lessons, cupcake decorating, kid's dance party, magic and comedy shows, a family movie on the big screen, and the annual Chili Cook Off. The results of the city-wide Albert Kiesling snow sculpture contest, chili cook off and scavenger hunt winners will be held at Easthampton High School at 3PM. Bring the kids, grandparents, friends and out of area visitors and make it a day in Easthampton.

Adult fun includes the return of the popular Ice Bar outdoors at the Brass Cat, featuring ice carvings by Mike Rondeau, and WinterFest On Tap with live music at Abandoned Building Brewery.  To view activities, please visit the event calendar: https://www.nashawannuckpond.org/winterfest.html.

More information about sponsorship and volunteering are available on the pond's website: www.nashawannuckpond.org. For up to date information, join our mailing list, follow Nashawannuck Pond on Facebook and our Facebook events. All outdoor events are weather permitting and may be cancelled without notice.

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The Easthampton Rod and Gun Club is pleased to announce the 34th Annual Junior Trout Fishing Derby on Saturday, May 18th from 6AM - 2PM on the shore of Nashawannuck Pond. The event is rain or shine and registration is held the day of the event.

If you have questions, please contact the Easthampton Rod and Gun Club, https://www.facebook.com/TheEtonrodandgun/

​FYI - this is not a city sponsored event and we have limited information available.