GREENFIELD — Last week’s big snowstorm has all but assured there will be plenty left on the ground for this weekend’s Greenfield 104th annual Winter Carnival.
Fun in the snow begins with sledding at Beacon Hill, and continues with a snowshoeing trek, horse drawn sleigh rides by Hubbard Farm, vintage snowmobile rides, and a cardboard sled contest on Beacon Hill.
A tradition that began in 1922, the Winter Carnival will be held Friday, Feb. 6, through Sunday, Feb. 8, throughout the city both indoors and outdoors to the theme “Yeti or Not.”
“We have a Rolodex filled with ideas for themes, and this year seemed appropriate to go with the Yeti, a cute character who fits in with the wintertime,” said Kelly Jenkins, assistant director of Greenfield Recreation, in an interview with The Republican.
Also referred to as the Abominable Snowman, the Yeti is a mythic, ape-like creature covered in grayish white hair seen in snowy locations such as the Himalayan mountains. The Yeti’s popularity soared during the Christmas season when Target created a cute, fluffy Yeti for their holiday commercials.
“We have created two contests involving the Yeti which are part of the many fun activities scheduled throughout the city for all ages to enjoy,” Jenkins said.
As part of a Yeti Hunt, 10 Yeti figures will be hidden around town for people to find and bring to Beacon Field on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. A Yeti Yell Contest will also be held on Sunday at 2 p.m.
“Participants can shout like a Yeti and we think we will know a winner when we hear one,” Jenkins said.
But it is not just about the Yeti.
An endless list of contests will be held throughout the weekend including Saturday’s Virtual Jigsaw Puzzle Contest, Cribbage Tournament, Bingo fundraiser at the Elks Club, and Four Phantoms Brewing Company Drag Trivia. Sunday has a Cookie Bake-Off and Chili Cook-Off, K9 Keg Pull, Community Wide Tug of War, and Cardboard Sled Contest.
Even if you are not competing, you can get into the fun by voting for winners in some of the contests.
“The Chili Cook-Off is a crowd favorite. Anybody can purchase tickets to sample the many chilis entered and vote for their favorite,” Jenkins said.
If spicy isn’t for you and your preference is for any type of cookie, you can also vote in the Cookie Bake-Off. Both events begin after they are dropped off at Beacon Hill at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Also, throughout the day on Friday, artists will be sculpting their icy creations found in front of sponsoring businesses. The public can vote for their favorite creation in the online contest by 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Other big events, Jenkins noted, are Friday’s Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. followed by a fireworks display shot from Poet’s Seat Tower at 7 p.m.
“The Parade of Lights is one of the most exciting events that kicks off the Winter Festival on Friday, when anywhere from 10 to 20 vehicles participate in the parade by adorning their cars with holiday lights,” she said about the parade, which travels from Newton School , along Main Street, down Federal Street and ending at Beacon Field.
And there are still numerous other events and activities jam packed into the three-day festival, including Family Night at the Y, Youth Basketball League games, Carnival Crafts at the Library, Winter Farmer’s Market, Mad Science Fire & Ice Show, Glow Part tat Greenfield Middle School Cafeteria, Flash Mob, and that is only half of the lineup.
History buffs can stop into the LAVA Center from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday to watch a restored 9-minute film documenting Greenfields first Winter Carnival. In March of 2024, local history fans and researchers Chris Clawson and Carol Aleman discovered a Pathé News newsreel from just over 100 years ago. The forgotten reel from that year, along with another from a year later, sat on a Historical Society of Greenfield shelf when they suddenly caught Clawson’s attention and he and Aleman set about researching and restoring the films.
To keep the carnival going for many more years, snow or not, the Friends of Greenfield Recreation will hold a Can Raffle fundraiser with prizes donated by local businesses set up at various events throughout the weekend.
It all ends at 3:45 p.m. on Sunday with an awards ceremony to announce winners of the weekend’s contests.
For a complete list of happenings throughout the three-day festival, download the Winter Carnival brochure at greenfieldrecreation.com.
