By now, you’ve probably noticed that winter’s in full swing.
The things that gave it away for us were the frigid temperatures, slippery walking surfaces and snow covering the ground, which there will likely be more of before spring makes its much-anticipated appearance.
And you have two choices: either stay inside and only leave your house when absolutely necessary – like for food, beer and work, in that order – or embrace the frozen wonderland that is New Hampshire this time of year.
We’re not in the business of telling you what to do, we’re more in the business of giving you ideas of what to do. The final decision of what you do with your time is up to you.
So if you feel like spending some time in the great outdoors this Sunday, the annual Bow Winterfest at the Bow Community Building might just be the place for you. It’s been going on for at least the last 30 years in some way, shape or form (outside of a couple years when a lack of necessary winter elements caused it to be canceled).
“Its got a long history in town,” said Chuck Rheinhardt, chairman of the Rotary Club of Bow. “It’s something that’s been a staple in town for a long time.”
And before you get all worried that you can’t go if you don’t live in Bow, this is an event open to people of all ages no matter where you call home.
The day begins at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast put on by the Rotary Club. And for just a few dollars – $5 at the most – you can eat pancakes (of course), sausage and bacon. You can even bring the whole family and only spend $10, so it does work out in your benefit to travel in a pack.
There will be events all day long starting at 9:30 a.m., giving you plenty of time to digest that pancake breakfast and to sign up because registration (which starts at 8:30 a.m.) is required to take part in the events.
“It’s open to all ages,” Rheinhardt said. “If adults want to go out and do it, they can.”
Some things are ongoing throughout the day, like the poster contest, face painting and s’mores making, but the fun gets going with the sledding races at 9:30 a.m. followed by skating races at 10:15 a.m.
“It’s really just family fun, get out and enjoy the outdoors,” Rheinhardt said.
The Bow Men’s Club will be serving up lunch around 11:30 a.m. for a small fee. Wildlife Encounters will be putting on a show at noon, inside the community building, with all kinds of cool rescued animals. Who knows, maybe you’ll get to pet one or two?
In the afternoon, there’s a hockey puck shootout and chuck-a-puck, along with a mini ironman. No, you won’t be swimming, bike riding and running, but rather competing in a frozen glove toss, puck transfer and sled race. And don’t forget about the hockey and figure skating areas too.
“It’s not really meant to be a competition, just outdoor fun,” Rheinhardt said.
Outside of the pancake breakfast and lunch, you won’t need your wallet cause Winterfest and all the events are free.
Winterfest is a cooperative effort of a lot of organizations in town. Not only are the Rotary and Men’s Club involved, but so are the Bow Snowmobile Club, Bow Athletic Club, the Baker Free Library, the Bow Recreation Department and others.
“Over the past five years, we’ve tried to make it a multi-organization thing,” Rheinhardt said. “It’s just all the organizations giving back to the community.”
For more information, visit bowrotary.org or contact Rheinhardt at chuck.rheinhardt@verani.com. You can also call the Bow Recreation Department at 228-2222.
