​Easthampton, MA  - On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 the 4th Annual Easthampton WinterFest will be held in locations throughout the city. WinterFest is a day-long event celebrating winter, family fun, and Easthampton's historic past in the ice harvesting industry.  The festival is coordinated by the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee and is a fundraising event created to bring awareness to the public about ongoing efforts needed to keep Nashawannuck Pond healthy for generations to come. 
 
Outdoor and indoor activities will be held throughout the city including wagon rides by Blue Star Equiculture and an Historical Ice Harvest demonstration on Nashawannuck Pond by noted 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. There will also be plenty of indoor activities, including a Craft & Vendor Fair which last year drew over 60 vendors and 1,000 visitors and the annual Chili Cook Off, featuring area restaurants and organizations as they compete for the Best Chili Award. Bring the kids, grandparents, friends and out of area visitors and make it a day in Easthampton! Activities are free or by a small donation.
 
More information about sponsorship and volunteering will be available on the pond's website: www.nashawannuckpond.org. Any organization or venue wishing to participate should contact the pond committee as soon as possible. Activites will be added to the day's calendar as we get closer to the event.  For up to date information, join our mailing list and follow Nashawannuck Pond on Facebook.
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MillEasthampton Public School teachers will participate in a fun dragon boat "tug of war". The winning team will take the prize and have bragging rights.

Following the competition, the  Paradise City Dragon Boat team will offer dragon boat rides on the pond.  Come ride the dragon.  The admission for a dragon boat ride is a donation of a school supply or canned food item, to be collected in special dragon boxes the day of the event. Donations will be distributed to Easthampton Schools and the Community Center.  Adults must accompany children in the boat.  Personal Flotation Devices will be supplied.

The details:

12:00 PM - Tug of War (Championship Award immediately thereafter)
1:00 - 2:30 PM - Dragon boat rides on the pond

Children's Activities Tables available throughout the event.
Raffle Prizes!
Mill Street Deli will be on hand with awesome treats for the whole family.
Mt. Tom's Homemade Ice Cream will unveil a new flavor to celebrate the event.
Nashawannuck Pond will be selling our new T-shirts and notecards - your support helps our beautiful pond.

This event is brought to you by Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee and the Paradise City Dragon Boat.  If you or your business would like to be a sponsor of this wonderful family event, please contact us.

Follow the event on Facebook and please help us get the word out.