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Photo courtesy Syracuse
Winterfest
You never know who the kids will run into
when you take part in family activities during the annual Syracuse
Winterfest.
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SYRACUSE - Imagine visiting
eight Syracuse restaurants in one day to sample chicken wings,
sprinting to the finish line of a snowshoeing or cross-county skiing
race or participating with 5,000 others in an attempt to break the
world record for most snow angels in a single location.
These are just a few of the options in a dizzying lineup of more
than 150 indoor and outdoor events and activities at the Syracuse
Winterfest 2007, held from Feb. 12 to 25. This year's Winterfest
coincides with two other Syracuse happenings - the 2007 New York State
Special Olympics and Dining Out Downtown Syracuse.
"We've added more events for families and kids, and increased
the variety of activities for adults looking to enjoy winter,"
says William Cooper, chairman of the Winterfest, who expects the winter
celebration to draw more than 100,000 participants. "It all
started because a group of us thought there should be something to put
excitement in a dreary time and to get people out of a humdrum winter.
It has become a huge economic boost to restaurants and other
businesses, especially newly opened venues, during a slower time of
year."
Daily events include ice skating at three rinks (Clinton Square,
Sunnycrest Rink and Meachem Rink) and cross-country skiing,
snowboarding and skiing at Four Seasons in Fayetteville.
On Feb. 15, an expected 5,000 students and others will attempt to
break the record for most snow angels at a single venue. The previous
mark of 3,784 was set in Michigan in 2006. You must be registered by
9:45 a.m. for this event, which begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Frank
Salanger Athletic Complex/Sunnycrest Park.
A Wine Tasting Course and Art Show takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb.
13-15 and Feb. 20-22 in the Mezzanotte Performing Arts Lounge, 658 N.
Salina St. Wines from around the world can be tasted, including Finger
Lakes wines on Feb. 14. Tickets are $15 advance or $20 at the door, and
the event is limited to 50 participants.
A Kids Karnival, set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 in the City Hall
Commons Atrium, across from Hanover Square, will have balloon animals
and hats, a face painter, games and snacks. Admission is free although
some activities require a nominal fee.
The third annual Dining Out in Downtown Syracuse, Feb. 19-23,
features a variety of restaurants serving a three-course dinner
(appetizer, entree and dessert) at a price of $20; some select
moderately priced eateries will feature two specials for $20. Here are other
highlights of Winterfest 2007.
Feb. 17:
• Open Hand Theater, located in a handsome, Victorian home dubbed
"the Castle," at 518 Prospect Ave., will feature Trickster at
11 a.m., with the Barefoot Puppets of Virginia; cost is $9 adults, $6
children. Info: www.openhandtheater.org.
• A Culinary Cruise lets patrons sample small dishes at
participating restaurants and vote for their favorite, from noon to 4
p.m. Tickets are $5 at the tent in Hanover Square or in advance at
participating restaurants.
• A New Orleans Recipe Cook-Off has restaurants competing from 11
a.m. to 3 p.m., with a public tasting at 2:30 p.m. in Hanover Square.
• During the Winterfest Music Jam, five venues will each have a multibill
lineup, with music performed from about 8 p.m. to closing. One $5
admission provides access to all venues throughout the evening; also
Feb. 24.
Feb. 18
• Ice-carving artisan and professional chef Adam Vural conducts a
continuous demonstration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., creating beautiful ice
sculptures on Water Street, next to Clinton Square.
• Kids Fest & Family Fun has a variety of shows and activities
for children and their families to enjoy. Entertainment includes a
magician and Peachykeene the Clown, who stands nearly 7 feet tall and
is one of the favorite clowns in the Northeast. Price is $1 per person;
Pensabene's Casa Grande, 135 State Fair Blvd., from noon to 5 p.m.
• Country singer Trace Adkins performs at 7 p.m. in War Memorial.
Tickets are $39.50.
Feb. 24
• In the Chili Cook Off, restaurants compete from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
with a public tasting at 2:30 p.m. in Hanover Square.
• Big D's Saturday Night Ballroom Dance lessons are open to everyone
and young adults are especially welcome. No partner is needed. The
Knights of Columbus, East Taft Road, North Syracuse, will host the
event, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The charge of $7 per person includes dance
lesson, coffee and snack buffet.
Feb. 25
• Wing Walk sounds like something Buffalo should have thought of,
right? The 1,500 participants in this popular event visit eight
restaurants to sample chicken wings from noon to 5 p.m. and vote on
their favorite.
• A Chowder Cook Off has local restaurants competing from 11 a.m. to
3 p.m., with a public tasting at 2:30 p.m. in Hanover Square.
• A Snowshoe Rally takes place in Sunnycrest Park. Info: www.sunnycrestparkassociation.com.
(A ski rally is set for Feb. 24.)
Special Olympics
The Special Olympics, being held Feb. 23-25, showcases the skills of
athletes in Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating,
speedskating, snowshoeing and floor hockey at various Syracuse venues.
The games begin when the Flame of Hope, carried by law enforcement
officers from around the state, ignites the Special Olympics Cauldron
at 8 p.m. Feb. 23.
For more information, visit www.nyso.org.
If you go
For a complete list of Winterfest events, visit www.syracusewinterfest.com
or call (315) 466-9468. Events, dates and times are subject to change,
so check the Web site often.
For general information on Syracuse, visit www.visitsyracuse.org
or call (315) 470-1910.
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