Begun almost two decades ago, the Derry Frost Festival provides residents with winter fun, and runs Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 14 this year.
Friday features a free Spaghetti Supper sponsored by the Derry Village Rotary Club held at 5 p.m. at the Gilbert H. Hood Middle School cafeteria.
Saturday begins with a 5K snowshoe event hosted by the Granite State Future Farmers of America Association at J & F Farms on Route 102, with money raised to benefit agriculture students statewide. The 2K and 5K races start at 11 a.m., with registration at 9:30 a.m. Weather and snow cover will determine whether the races will be snowshoe or on foot, but given recent snowstorms, it appears snowshoe races will be available.
From noon to 2 p.m. at Veterans Hall, Derry Parks & Recreation hosts a family showcase featuring the premier of the Derry Public Library’s latest puppet show, “The Amazing Bone,” based on William Steig’s picture book. During intermission, a game of Twister will be sponsored by The Upper Room. The afternoon concludes with Wildlife Encounters.
New this year are children’s games inside Orange Leaf at Hood Commons between 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday. Crafts and board games with prizes are featured. Culinary Playground sponsors cookie decorating at the same time and place.
And in front of Benson’s Ski Shop on Saturday between noon and 3 p.m. will be an opportunity to try Fat Bikes and snowshoes.
Teen Night runs 4 to 6 p.m., sponsored by the Community Alliance for Teen Safety (CATS) at Church of the Transfiguration, 1 Hood Road. Games, crafts and a dance, along with pizza and other refreshments, will be provided. The day concludes with the showing of “The Princess Bride,” sponsored by This is My Derry at 7:30 p.m. at the Derry Opera House. Admission is free with purchase receipts from any sponsoring small business obtained from Feb. 7-13. Participants are encouraged to wear period costume.
Several Sunday events have been cancelled, including all activities at Hoodkroft Golf Course and hockey, skating, ice fishing and snowmobile rides at Beaver Lake.
The Chili Contest sponsored by the Beaver Lake Improvement Association runs Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. at Alexander-Carr Playground. Alexander-Carr offers sledding from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and ice sculptures between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. with a Star Wars theme; the annual bonfire starts at noon.
Also at Alexander-Carr on Sunday, between 1 and 3 p.m., Goddard School sponsors arts and crafts, Derry Parks & Recreation sponsors face painting, and between 2 and 3 p.m. the Frost Festival King and Queen contest will take place, sponsored by Miss Greater Derry.
