Popular Winter Event Will Feature Free Family Activities With or Without Snow

ERIE COUNTY, NY— Today, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz joined Legislature Minority Leader John Mills, Parks Commissioner Troy Schinzel, Orchard Park Town Councilmember Eugene Majchrzak and others at Chestnut Ridge Park to announce the return of Winterfest this coming weekend.  Winterfest will be held on Sunday, January 29th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm outside the Casino at Chestnut Ridge Park.

Winterfest will be held this weekend with or without snow and will feature free family activities including:  sledding, snowshoe hikes, marshmallow roasting, arts & crafts, snow sculpturing, hay rides, wood branding and much more.  Additional activities have been added in the event there no snow including:  karaoke, family scavenger hunts, Harry Potter Quidditch, USTA Quick Start Tennis and a wacky kids obstacle course.

“Winterfest is a perfect opportunity to highlight one of our community’s true treasures, Chestnut Ridge Park,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.  “Whether or not Mother Nature decides to cooperate with us this weekend, Winterfest will have a host of free activities for families across Erie County to enjoy.  I would like to thank Legislator Mills, Councilmember Majchrzak, the event sponsors and everyone from Orchard Park for being such great hosts and I look forward to this weekend being a success regardless of the weather.”

“Winterfest is one of the county’s premier events, attracting residents and visitors from around the region to enjoy Chestnut Ridge Park. Last year the park was crowded with children and adults taking part in a variety of activities. It was a tremendous success,” said Minority Leader John Mills. “I hope this year, despite less than perfect weather conditions, is just as enjoyable to all who attend.”

“This event would not be possible without the incredible amount of work Ed Leak and the entire Orchard Park Recreation Department has done to make this event happen again this year,” said Parks Commissioner Troy Schinzel.  “Additionally, I would like to thank our volunteers from the Orchard Park Teachers Association, Orchard Park Youth Rugby Club, Hillcrest Fire Company and the Erie County Sheriffs Mounted Unit for their help this Sunday.”

“On behalf of the Town of Orchard Park, I would like to welcome all the residents across Erie County to the Chestnut Ridge Winterfest,” said Orchard Park Councilmember Eugene Majchrzak.  “As you know, it takes a tremendous amount of time, communication, and cooperation to set up an event like this.  I want to thank everyone at the county level that was involved and our own Orchard Park Recreation Director – Ed Leak.  Please have fun and be safe this weekend.”

Many of Erie County’s Parks offer free activities on a daily basis throughout the winter season.  More information is available by calling the Parks Department at (716) 858-8513 or visiting their website at www.erie.gov/parks.  Winterfest was made possible by the generous support received from Towne Auto Group, Volkswagen of Orchard Park, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Southtowns Radiology and Wegmans Supermarkets.

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