Swan Park to host activities
By Angie Landsverk
The fourth annual Winter Rec Fest will be held from 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at Waupaca’s Swan Park.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will again host the event.
Winter Rec Fest will include outdoor activities, food and fireworks.
“Everything is free – except for the food,” said Andrew Whitman, the city’s recreation program supervisor.
Food, hot chocolate and coffee will be for sale in the tent.
“We’re working with the senior center to have seniors make some soup. We will sell that as our food. The youth center staff will sell it as a fundraiser,” Whitman said.
The Waupaca Recreation Center will not be open the night of Winter Rec Fest.
“It’s a recreation event. We want people to come out to Swan Park. Plus, the youth center staff will be working there (at the park, instead of the center),” he said.
Those who attended Winter Rec Fest in the past will notice a new addition this year.
“Weather permitting, we will have the ice skating rink open,” Whitman said. “This is the first ice skating rink season. People have been over there skating.”
Returning to the event will be Tim Lencki, owner of Adventure Outfitters.
He will again lead two free snowshoe hikes on the park’s trail system.
The first hike will be at 4 p.m. and the second one at 6 p.m.
Whitman said Lencki will have some equipment on hand, and it will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Those who have their own snowshoes are encouraged to bring them along to the event.
Dean Johnson will also be back at Winter Rec Fest with some of his sled dogs and equipment.
He lives in the Waupaca area and became part of the event last year.
People will be able to ask him questions about his dogs and racing, with a presentation planned at 5 p.m.
Whitman said Johnson may be able to offer some rides with his sled dogs.
That will depend on the weather.
Whitman said sledding will be the event’s main draw.
There will be a bonfire next to the food tent for those who need to warm up a bit.
“We will finish off the night with fireworks around 6:45 p.m.,” he said. “It’s really just a great opportunity to get out of the house in the winter and socialize with other people from the community.”