We are pleased to announce the 5th Annual Easthampton WinterFest will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at locations throughout the city.  There are opportunities for businesses to sponsor the event and organizations are encouraged to participate by offering a venue and activity.  

Our Craft & Vendor Fair will be returning to Keystone Mill and will feature 2 well-lit, climate controlled event spaces.  Registration will open soon. If you vended with us in the past you will receive an email. We will also post the event on our Facebook page, so be sure to "follow" Nashawannuck Pond. 

​We look forward to seeing everyone in February!

​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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We had almost given up on winter this year, until this week.  Today, it's snowing on the pond, the ice is thickening up and we are hoping for temperatures in the 20's for Saturday's 3rd Annual Easthampton WinterFest.  Snow is predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday and temperatures drop on Thursday. We'll cross our fingers that the majority of our outdoor events will go off as planned.

Here are some fun WinterFest facts:

From an ice harvester's perspective . . . 

1. You can have plenty of ice, but it's the wrong kind to cut
2. If the ice is milky, it's a sign that it may be thin.
3. Too much snow on the ice (even thick ice) isn't good either.
4. They like being out in the cold for hours. 

 
From an ice carver's perspective . . .

1. They really like being out in the cold for hours too
2. Even if it's cold, if there's too much sun it can affect the quality of the block of ice

From a snow sculptor's perspective . . .

1. We need enough snow to pack a large form
2. Snow needs to be the packable type
3. Will it melt before we can use it?
4. Is it better to sculpt in advance or the day of an event?
5. They really like being out in the cold for hours too

From the horse's perspective

1. We are draft horses and LOVE to work
2. We love giving rides 
3. Really cold air can be very hard on our lungs so we are unable to work under those conditions.

From anyone making a snowman

1. We need enough snow
2. It needs to be the right kind of snow to build with

From an event planner's perspective

1. We worry about everything, realize we can't change anything

So there you have it.  

EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton City Arts+, under the leadership of director Burns Maxey, continues to find innovative sources of funding to support arts and culture in this small city, especially within its Cottage Street Cultural District.
The group announced two new grants this week — one from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and another from the National Association of Realtors® through its local branch.
The "placemaking micro-grant" was made through the Realtor® Association of the Pioneer Valley. It will fund $2,200 for a new public art project at the Promenade Park at Nashawannuck Pond. The arts organization will release a request for proposals in February for an interactive art project.
A $5,000 matching grant from the state will boost projects within the Cottage Street Cultural District, including the third annual Winterfest (Feb. 13), public art, and other programs. The grant is part of $150,000 awarded statewide for designated cultural districts.
Easthampton's Cottage Street Cultural District was one of the first cultural districts to be recognized by the state. It's billed as place where visitors can find "down-to-earth funkiness" and an eclectic array of shops, galleries, and nightlife.
Easthampton City Arts+ was formed in 2005, and works to integrate arts, culture and community while revitalizing and protecting the city's cultural assets.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

New to WinterFest this year is the addition of a Craft and Vendor Fair which will take place at Eastworks.  Applications are being accepted and vendors are encouraged to apply online.  The entry fee is $25. and proceeds support ongoing efforts to keep Nashawannuck Pond healthy for all to enjoy.

Eastworks is also the venue for the very popular People's Choice Chili Cook-Off, held in the Community Room.  For a $5. ballot, you can determine who will be the winner of this year's heated contest.  

Behind Eastworks, New City Brewery and Abandoned Building Brewery will be serving up some tasty winter brews and live music as part of WinterFest On Tap.  A portion of the proceeds from the day will be donated to WinterFest.  Also participating is Fort Hill Brewery located near Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary on Fort Hill Road.  WinterFest guests can enjoy a nature hike and stop by to sample a beer and catch the live band.