Manchester mulls winter carnival
Toolbox
By PATRICK McARDLE Herald Staff - Published: December 2, 2008
MANCHESTER — Plans to develop and expand the town's February winter carnival to make it a bigger event for both locals and visitors will be discussed at tonight's Select Board meeting.
Amy Herrmann, director of the Manchester Parks and Recreation Department, said the town has had a winter carnival for several years but it's mostly known for a chili cook-off that takes place at the Equinox Spa and Resort.
In 2009, the winter carnival, scheduled for Feb. 7-14, is expected to be more.
Manchester Town Manager John O'Keefe said one revision would be to add a macaroni and cheese category to the traditional chili cook-off.
The town is planning to schedule an event based on the "Grandstand Rail Jam" during the winter carnival.
Since 2006, the rail jam has been a destination event for snowboarders. Sponsored by Vew Do Balance Boards, of Manchester, the rail jam has been a night event that takes place under the lights of Applejack Field in Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park.
O'Keefe said the grandstands are filled with snow for the event to create a ramp for snowboarders to use for their performances.
The rail jam has been held in December and Herrmann said Vew Do may continue their event at the end of the year. It has been popular enough, Herrmann believes, that adding a second similar event in February would be justified.
A snowshoe hike on Mount Equinox to Robin's Lookout which provides views of Equinox Pond, the Battenkill valley and nearby mountains is one of the more active planned events.
A different kind of endurance and agility will be required for participants in a "Guitar Hero" challenge at Manchester Elementary-Middle School. The popular "Guitar Hero" video games allow players to mimic popular musicians by matching their guitar-shaped controllers to a song's notes.
O'Keefe said Magic Mountain Ski Resort in Londonderry had agreed to be a partner and host a fun slalom race.
According to Herrmann, a party will be hosted at the ski lodge on the same night which will be free to those who participated in the race.
A 5K "fun run" is another possibility for the winter carnival as is dog-sledding races.
"Ideally, it would grow so that it not only becomes an annual event for the people of Manchester but a draw to bring visitors here," O'Keefe said.
The town is even looking for a sponsor to allow a short fireworks display as part of the winter carnival, according to O'Keefe.
Promoting a winter festival can be more than just the creation of another fun event, Herrmann said.
"We have a lot of things going on that require people to come out of the house and move around which is always a good thing," Herrmann said.
The Select Board meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the town offices on Route 7A.
Contact Patrick McArdle at patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com.
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