Get through the winter blues this year by plunging — literally, if you’re brave enough — into the cold during the Township of Selwyn’s 18th annual PolarFest.
The annual festival is taking place from Friday, January 31st to February 2nd and will show off the best of the region through special events at local businesses, fundraising initiatives for regional charity organizations, and a slew of winter activities for the whole family.
On Friday, the festival will kick off with youth shinny hockey and free public skating, before the opening ceremonies and firework display are held at Chemong Lodge.
Following a candlelight skate at the Ontario Speed Skating Oval and a guided night hike at the Marshland Centre, the puck will drop for the Guns & Hoses Charity Hockey Game. In the annual game, local police officers face off against the Selwyn Fire Department while collecting non-perishable food items and cash donations to be split between the Lakefield Food Bank and Bridgenorth Food Bank.
The winter fun will continue into Saturday when families can start the day with a drive-thru pancake breakfast, before exploring the Township by watching an ice sculpture competition in Lakefield, participating in scavenger hunts and outdoor games, and trying their hand at snowshoeing. Adults won’t be missing out on the fun either as afternoon and evening activities include a winter Olympics and BBQ at the Lakefield Legion, an ’80s retro après ski party at Chemong Lodge, a spaghetti dinner with live entertainment at Bridgenorth United Church, and a polar wine pairing at The Cheesy Fromage.
Not to be missed is Saturday’s 1 p.m. Polar Paddle which combines the best of winter and summer fun. Last year’s return of the event saw hundreds of spectators come out to cheer on costumed teams of six as they raced to push or pull canoes on wheels down Lakefield’s Queen Street. Make sure to register your team early! The cost is $40 per team.
At 9 a.m. Sunday, the final day of PolarFest will start out with a new addition to the line-up this year: a five-kilometre run along Lakefield’s frosty and picturesque riverside trails. The cost is $15 per person, with all proceeds donated to the Lakefield Food Bank.
Following more opportunities for outdoor skating and seeing the ice sculptures in Lakefield and Bridgenorth, as well as an antique and vintage snowmobile show, the festival will close with the 45th anniversary event that started the Selwyn PolarFest: the BEL Rotary Polar Plunge.
Participants dressed as their favourite retro TV characters will jump into the water to raise money for a local charity organization of their choice and Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield Rotary Club.
Before, during, and after the PolarFest weekend, locals and visitors alike are encouraged to celebrate small businesses in Selwyn Township with the PolarFest PolarPass. Make purchases at participating businesses from January 16 to February 7 and earn a stamp, before submitting your completed passport to one of the designated drop-off locations. Entering the draw will give one lucky winner the opportunity to win a $150 gift card for the local business of their choosing.
For more information about this year’s PolarFest, including a full schedule and map of all the activities during the weekend, visit www.polarfest.ca. You can also follow PolarFest on Facebook.
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