LOUDONVILLE – After having temperatures near 60 degrees this week, organizers of the 11th annual Mohican Winter Fest may have been a little concerned. After all, there have been some years where it has felt more like a Spring Fest than Winter Fest.
“Over the years, weather has definitely played a main character to Mohican Winter Fest. The team of organizers has done an excellent job in providing all weather entertainment. It doesn’t matter if it’s too warm, too cold, or just right; there is something for everyone at the Mohican Winter Fest,” said Georgia Kauffman, Executive Director of the Mohican-Loudonville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Ice sculpting remains the highlight of the weekend. Ice carving demonstrations will be done hourly from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in Central Park. Aaron Costic and his team from Broadview Heights-based Elegant Ice Creations are returning to Loudonville to create more than 20 intricate sculptures which will be on display in Central Park and throughout downtown.
To complement the sculptures, Fire & Ice fire poi demonstrations will be returning. Fire poi is created using wicks as the weighted end on a string or chain. The wicks are soaked in fuel, set on fire and spun, creating a dramatic, artistic effect.
Other activities taking place all weekend include a model train expo at the Hans Event Center on North Water Street, Appalachian acoustic music at the Mohican State Park Lodge, and a Social Media Photo Scavenger Hunt.
A new addition to this year’s event, the Appalachian acoustic music weekend includes an organized jam Friday night, several workshops Saturday morning, a free concert Saturday night, and a Gospel sing Sunday morning. All events are free and will take place at the Mohican state Park Lodge.
Model railroaders will display their collections in the Hans Event Center on North Water Street. Local model railroader David Sheaffer has organized the event, which will run Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
The Social Media Photo Scavenger Hunt requires participants to snap photos at various locations and post them on social media with the hashtag #mochianwinterfest2017. Scavenger Hunt Hints will be posted on the DiscoverMohican Facebook and Twitter pages and the winner will receive a free overnight stay at Landoll’s Mohican Castle.
Loudonville figure skater and Olympic hopeful Kylie Snively and her skating partner Lauren Gwinn will host a meet and greet Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Hans Event Center. Weather permitting, the pair will perform a figure skating demonstration at the ice skating rink at the Loudonville Pool Complex on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Friday’s activities also include a Winterfest Shop Hop from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Loudonville.
Saturday’s events include:
- Life-sized Candy Land at the Loudonville Public Library from 10:30 a.m. to noon
- Tours of the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum from noon to 4 p.m.
- Workman Log Cabin tours from noon to 4 p.m.
- Face painting from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Vintage and newer snowmobile show from noon to 4 p.m. in Central Park
- A dog parade at Canine Designz at 1 p.m.
- American Legion Riders Poker Walk from 1 to 4 p.m.
- Dr. Joe and the Squeeze Band from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at the Legion
- The Snowball Dance from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Legion
- Blues Angels paid entry concert from 8 p.m. to midnight at Landoll’s Mohican Castle
- Save What’s Left free concert at 10 p.m. at the River Room Lounge
Sunday’s events include the 12th annual Mohican Winter Hike at 10 a.m. at the park nature center and a concert featuring The Skeptikells at the Mohican Lodge from noon to 2 p.m.
“We want everyone to know that Mohican just isn’t for the summer. It is about ridding ourselves of the winter blues, having a little fun all year long and this is just the beginning,” Kauffman said. “The whole premise of the Mohican Winter Fest is for our visitors to have a great time.”
