Busy weekend in Newport kicks off tomorrow

NEWPORT — From broomball to winter swimming and snowshoeing, there’s a lot to do in Newport this weekend, so get your errands done early and prepare for fun times ahead.

The Winter Festival starts tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. at Gardner Park, and runs through 7:00 p.m.

Annual Guy Fortin Co-Ed Broomball Tournament

Similar to hockey, but no skates or skills needed! Gather up some friends, family, or co-workers to have some fun on the ice.

Discover Newport Scavenger Hunt

A fun activity to do with the kids! Come by the skate shack by 9 a.m. to get a bag and your list of the City’s hidden gems to find on your trek. Hike through our new nature walk trail from Prouty around the Bluff Farm trails, after that come into downtown and grab lunch.

Pictures and physical items will be on the list, so make sure you have a phone or camera to snap pictures.

The team with the most items found wins, all teams must be back with their items by 3 p.m. at the Skate Shack.

Snow Sculpting Contest

Categories may include most original, best snow person, best in SNOW, largest, etc.

Slap Shot Shoot-Out

If you have skills on the ice and think you can hang with the big leaguers, try out with the best of 5 long distance accuracy shots.  Most pucks in the net wins.

Sign up the day of Winterfest at the Ice Shack between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Farcical Figure Skating

Have you always had dreams of skating in the Olympics like Brian Boitano or Kristi Yamaguchi?  Well now is your chance…almost.  Design your best blades of glory costume and get ready to shine.  Each contestant will have 3 minutes to show the Northeast Kingdom your best routine.  You can have fun with it and be funny, doubles and singles will be accepted.  Judging on youth and adult categories may include most likely to be in the Olympics, most likely to get kicked out of the Olympics, most challenging routine, and judges choice.

Sign up the day of Winterfest at the Ice Shack between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Chuck-A-Puck

The Newport Recreation Committee is excited to host the famous and exciting Chuck-A-Puck contest.  Pucks will be sold throughout the day in the Skate Shack and the big chucking will be the culmination of the Winter Fest activities at 4 p.m. The closest puck to the bullseye wins the 50/50.

Sledding and Snow Tunnels at Prouty Beach

The world famous Prouty Sledding Hill will be open for your sledding enjoyment. New to Prouty Beach this year are the soon to be world famous snow tunnels. Go through them like an arctic explorer and enjoy the adventure.

Skate for Free at the Skate Shack

Come on down and enjoy one of Vermont’s largest outdoor public skating areas. The ice shack will be open all day and the ice will be open to skating before and after scheduled events.

Fireworks

To finish the night, a spectacular Winter Festival fireworks display can be seen over Lake Memphremagog at 7 p.m. with breathtaking views from the waterfront at Prouty Beach.

Fireworks are launched from the Veteran’s Memorial Long Bridge near railroad square, and many locals enjoy the show from the Waterfront Plaza parking lot or Gardner Memorial Park.

Please note that the Railroad Square Bridge will be closed between 3 p.m. 10 p.m. tomorrow.

Last Winter Saturdays Concert Series

Invite your friends for our final Winter Saturday at the Gateway. It’s going to be a night of fifties, sixties and seventies rock and roll with the Belaires.

Hillmers on Main is going to be slinging smash burgers hot off the grill on homemade rolls and there will be homemade chips and salad (and zucchini fritters for the vegetarians).

Disney movies upstairs and Sedona’s gonna be serving beer and wine at the cash bar.

Come help us close out an amazing season of Winter Saturdays from 6 – 9. $10 at the door, kids are free as always.

Kingdom Games Winter Swim Festival

185 winter swimmers from all around the United States, Canada, and even Ireland are swimming this year.

For a full schedule for this event CLICK HERE.

Annual Winter Ski and Snowshoe Event

Bluffside Farm Ski/Snowshoe Tour Sunday, February 26th, 2023 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Beginning in the winter of 2018, the MSTF started grooming ski trails at Bluffside Farm. The groomed ski trails meander through forestland and agricultural lands along the shores of Lake Memphremagog. Ski/snowshoe/walk suitable for all ages and discussion of wildlife habitat, the fields and managed forests, invasive species control and a wetland restoration project on the Bluffside Farm.

Bring your skis and/or snowshoes and dress for a winter day on the trails. Meet at the Sugarhouse parking lot at Bluffside Farm,171 Scott Farm Road, Newport at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be provided.

This is a free event.