The countdown has begun so grab your warm gear and get ready to be part of a unique winter experience . . .

Ogden City Winterfest Website

January 28th & 29th, 2011

We are just a few days away from the 2nd Annual WinterFest celebration and the air is vibrating with excitement. The sponsors that are helping with this year’s celebration are working hard to make their events even bigger and better than last year. We’ve also got some new sponsors chipping in to help launch a few fun new events that we think you will really enjoy.

This year’s "where cold is cool" events will include:

Toboggan Parade

Winterfest kicks off with a special toboggan parade. Get creative! Local businesses, organizations, families and friends are welcome to create their own toboggan. The only rules…it can’t be on runners and has to be human powered. For those of us not in the parade line, come down and enjoy our community’s creativity. Join us on Friday evening at 5 p.m. with the ceremonial street closing. Cheer on your favorite toboggan.

Free Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoe Demo Experience

Weber State University Campus Recreation Outdoor Program, the Ogden community’s resource for outdoor recreation and rental equipment, is a proud sponsor of the free winter sports and equipment demo experience on January 29. Join the WSU Outdoor Program staff for an opportunity to demo cross-country skis and snowshoes for the entire family, from toddlers to adults free of charge. Bring a picture I.D. for deposit and see them in the Municipal Gardens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., no pre-registration necessary.

Pancake Breakfast

Come eat breakfast with local heroes, the Ogden City firefighters. It takes place at the Ogden Amphitheater from 8 to 10 a.m. The firefighters will serve pancakes, coffee and juice for only $2.00 per person. Food is limited and will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.

Kids' Corner

Your little ones will love our new activities. Home Depot will be offering a Kid’s Corner project at the Ogden Amphitheatre again this year from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or until materials run out.) The activity was so popular last year that we are offering it for a full day. Kids may glue, nail and assemble a wood project. We recommend ages five to 12 years old, but welcome all ages. Materials will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.

Kids' Snow Play Area

New this year, come make memories with your little ones in the Kid’s Snow Play Area all day on Saturday in the Municipal Park gardens. Come build and color snowmen, igloos and castles. The area, sponsored by Sizzler, gives little ones a chance to get creative and have fun in the snow. Make lasting memories!

Human Dog Sled Races are back by popular demand! This is an event not to miss. It is so popular that we have moved it from the Municipal Park right out onto Grant Avenue, so more spectators can watch. The human dog sled races will take place on Saturday (January 29) from 2 to 5 p.m. The event, sponsored by American Nutrition, will have teams dressing up and pulling each other in dog sleds down a straight 50-yard marked course. We have some great prizes for first and second place in each category. Teams are encouraged to wear costumes and the best costume in each category will also receive a cash prize (first place only).

The Winterfest Dog Look-a-like and Costume Contest will take place on Saturday (January 29) from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Ogden Amphitheater. Get your pets ready to join the fun. The event is sponsored by Idlewire Pet Care. The Imaging Depot will be on the stage to take Pooch Pics with their owners. Some very generous prizes will be given.

Nordic Races

Have you ever wanted to see someone sprint down Main Street in snowshoes, or see a cross-country ski race downtown? Then this is the event for you! The Weber State University Campus Outdoor Recreation Program is a proud sponsor of the Ogden’s Winterfest first Nordic event on Friday, January 28. Did we mention it is free? The event will take place immediately following the toboggan parade on Friday night. The cross-country ski races begin at 6:30 p.m. and the snowshoe competition begins at 7:30 p.m. Categories for each race include youth girls, youth boys, adult men and adult women. If you have your own snowshoes bring them as a limited number will be available.

Tubing Hill

Bring your family and friends down and tube down 25th Street. Join us Saturday all day from 9 to 4 p.m. It is an event for all ages. We will supply the tubes. Thank you to Recreation Outlet for sponsoring the event.

Gather your friends and compete in the flag football tournament held Friday and Saturday night during Winterfest. Teams will be randomly selected to play on Friday night at the city fields on Fourth Street downtown. Team will compete eight on eight, but teams may consist of up to 13 people. Men’s teams are recommended.

Concerts

On Saturday afternoon (Jan 29) the Ogden Amphitheater will heat up as two local family-friendly bands take the stage. The music begins at 4:30 p.m. with the Glass Onion Band. They will excite audiences with their 60’s and 70’s tunes. The band MonkeyShine will follow the Glass Onion Band at 6:30 p.m. MonkeyShine will entertain all ages with their classic rock ‘n Roll hits. The best part is it’s free!

Snowmobile Drag

Come enjoy the fast, loud excitement of the snowmobile drag races. The Snowmobile races are a must-attend event that will take place Saturday (January 29) from 9 am. to 5:30 p.m. on 25th Street from Washington Blvd to Grant Ave. This year we are adding Kid’s snowmobile races from noon until 1 p.m. Come cheer on these little guys! The race registration will be closed on the day of the event, but will be one to the public for viewing.
Special thanks to the sponsors of the race including Triple S. Polaris, ADS Motor Sports, Rockstar Energy Drink, iRate Incorporated, M&B Mobile Service, Baker Diesel, Kellerstrass Oil Company, CarQuest, Midas, Sam T Evans, Trackstar Racing, T&N Performance, The Home Depot, XBalm, Browning, Zollinger Racing, Brewskis, Z-Broz Racing, Top Ten Reviews, A-1 Salvage, First Fire Protection, Perkins Trucking, Intermountain T-Shirt Co., Newgate Motorsports, Twisted Turbos and All Pro Auto.

Rail Jam

Everyone grab your boards and skis and join us on the 25th Street snow hill. Adams Ave to Washington Blvd on 25th Street will be covered with snow for the ultimate ski and snowboard urban ride. Bust out and dust off your old skis and snowboards for urban rail jam competition Friday, January 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. presented by Snowbasin. Participants will show their skills on rails and boxes. Contestants will be judged and prizes will be given in each category. All ages and abilities are welcome to compete. Participants must bring their own ski/snowboard and helmet.

Winterfest enters the Wild West, taking extreme, thrill-seeking sports to another level for winter outdoor enthusiasts. The Ogden Winterfest will again boast the skijoring event sponsored by the Ogden Pioneer Foundation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s the adventure of skiing behind a galloping horse. The name skijoring is derived from the Norwegian word Skijoring which means ski driving. Make sure to bring your skis or snowboard and helmet to compete.
**The Ogden Pioneer Foundation will provide free horse-drawn sleigh rides from 5 to 6 p.m. for all ages.

Test your endurance in the chilly temperatures. Get out and walk or run our 5K. All ages are welcome to participate. Registration is $15.