By Abbie Kopelowitz | Community News Service

*Making a snowperson on top of a mailbox gets you 5 points in the Wanderlust Challenge. 2021 file photo by Heidi Hall*

After a year reimagined as a choose-your-own-adventure activity, Waterbury Winterfest returns this week with five days of in-person outdoor events.

“We are excited to bring back the in-person events,” says Roger Clapp, president of the organization, “but of course, we want to make sure that we’re being safe.”

This past week marked the second of three weeks of the virtual “Wanderlust Challenge 2022.” For the second year, Winterfest organizers challenged local residents to create their own fun both outdoors and inside in small groups of family members or friends as a way to participate in something without gathering, being mindful of the ongoing pandemic.

Teams choose activities to complete and document, and then upload photos to show their progress and score points. There are weekly prizes and those who complete the most challenges will receive a grand prize on day four of Winterfest next week.

A lead organizer, Brenda Caforia-Weeber, was happy to announce that Wanderlust has had over 50 teams register and more than 300 entries: “The competitive spirit and creativity is wonderful!”

While those participating in the challenge still have a few more days to finish tasks like finding animal tracks, baking cookies, and making snow angels, the first Winterfest event begins Wednesday night at Dac Rowe Park with the Starlight Ski and Snowshoe. The schedule continues through Sunday, Feb. 6, with daily events at multiple downtown parks and the Horseshoe at the State Office Complex.

Now in its 11th year, Winterfest before the pandemic featured a mix of outdoor and indoor activities. This year, in addition to having all the events outdoors, all participants will be asked to sign a waiver and wear masks when they can’t social distance. Organizers also chose to schedule just five day of events instead of 10, as they have done in previous years. The schedule even includes a COVID-19 vaccine and booster clinic for everyone age 5 and older in Rusty Parker Park on Feb.5.

With safety protocols in place, participants can expect days of sports, music, and winter activities.

*Covered faces before it was trendy: Some cyclists try out fat bikes at Winterfest 2019. File photo courtesy Waterbury Winterfest.*

“All of these things are designed for people to just show up and participate,” Clapp explained. Notable activities include snow soccer and volleyball for kids, fat bike demonstrations, human bowling, and a concert by the local high school band, The DEW.

One notable new event on Saturday morning, Feb. 5, is the adaptive biathlon. Thanks to a partnership with Capital Region Nordic Alliance, Inc. and Green Mountain Adaptive Sports, this competition combines cross-country skiing and target practice where the guns operate with infrared light for the blind and individuals with low-vision. A second activity organizers plan is a virtual orienteering course. Everyone regardless of visual abilities is invited to check out these new events.

Saturday’s schedule has the most to offer with events planned from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winterfest ends with sledding at the Waterbury Public Library Sunday morning, Feb. 6, snow football in the afternoon at the state complex, and a snow trek from Blush Hill to Little River.

To gauge interest and help plan, organizers have a short registration form online. For more information and to register, visit the Waterbury Winterfest Website.

The full schedule is below:

Day 1 - Weds., Feb. 2

6-8 p.m. - Dac Rowe Park

Starlight Ski & Snowshoe

Day 2 - Thurs., Feb. 3

6:30-7:30 p.m. - Prohibition Pig Outdoor Annex

Wassailing

Day 3 - Fri., Feb. 4

5:30-7:30 p.m. - Anderson Park

Family Skate Party

Ice Jug Curling

Human Bowling

Day 4 - Sat., Feb. 5

9-11 a.m. - Anderson Park

Adaptive Biathlon & Virtual Orienteering
12:30-2 p.m. - State Complex Horseshoe

Snow Soccer

Snow Volleyball
1-4 p.m. - Rusty Parker Park

Fat Tire Demo Biking

Beer & Cider Tasting

Vax & Booster Clinic

Silent Auction

2-4 p.m. - Rusty Parker Park

The DEW Concert

Day 5 - Sun., Feb. 6

10 a.m. to noon - Waterbury Public Library

Sledding Party with The Children’s Room

12-3 p.m. Blush Hill Country Club to Little River State Park

The Descent Snowshoe/Backcountry Ski

12:30 - 3 p.m. - State Complex Horseshoe

Snow Football

Community News Service is a collaboration with the University of Vermont’s Reporting & Documentary Storytelling program.

Waterbury Winterfest returns in-person Feb. 2-6