The snow from the area’s recent storms was welcomed by the Frost Festival Association and the Derry Parks & Recreation Department it means the upcoming 15th annual Frost Festival on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Feb. 14-16, will likely have plenty of the white stuff for the planned events.
The kick-off is a free Spaghetti Supper for seniors sponsored by the Derry Village Rotary Club, held at the Gilbert H. Hood Middle School cafeteria at 5 p.m. Friday.
Saturday is filled with free family activities held at Veterans Memorial Hall, 31 West Broadway. They start with “The Little Gingerbread Man,” an original puppet show sponsored by the Derry Public Library, followed by an array of exotic animals brought by Wildlife Encounters to demonstrate the theme of “Winter Around the World.”
That same day, the Granite State FFA Association will host benefit races at J&F Farms on Route 102. Money raised will benefit agricultural students state-wide, including those from Pinkerton Academy. The 5K and 2.5K races will begin at 11 a.m. Mini races and snowshoeing will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with registration at 9:30 a.m. Limited snowshoe rentals are available. For more information, go to www.NHFFA.org, call 434-7086 or email: [email protected].
Also on Saturday, the Derry Farmers’ Market will be held at Upper Village Hall, 52 East Derry Road, with local seasonal vegetables, farm-raised meat, and New Hampshire-made artisan products. The market runs from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. For additional information, visit www.facebook.com/derryfarmersmarket or call Market Director Beverly Ferrante, at 434-8974
Sunday brings a variety of activities to Alexander-Carr Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including sledding. A bonfire will be lit at noon, and arts and crafts will be offered inside the Lodge starting at 1 p.m., sponsored by the Derry Goddard School. Face painting will be offered, and Miss Greater Derry will direct the coronation of the annual Frost Festival King and Queen between 2 and 3 p.m. Children between the ages of 5 and 12 are eligible to participate in the King and Queen raffle.
And Ice Breakers will be at Alexander-Carr Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to create ice sculptures under the pavilion.
Also on Sunday, Beaver Lake will be the site of several activities from noon to 3 p.m. The Beaver Lake Improvement Association (BLIA) will offer an ice fishing demonstration and its sixth annual Chili Contest at Gallien’s Beach from noon to 3 p.m. Tasting and voting are free, although donations are being sought to support the Pinkerton Academy Stream Team program.
Beaver Lake will also offer skating and hockey on two rinks, with members of the Pinkerton Academy hockey team offering demonstrations and assistance. Participants must bring their own skates and equipment.
A concession will be offered by the BLIA.
Scheduled events Sunday at the Hoodkroft Golf Course from noon to 4 p.m. include dog sleds and snowmobiles. A snowmobile safety demonstration and rides are compliments of the Derry Pathfinders Snowmobile Club. The dog sled event, a last minute addition to the event schedule, will feature two dog sled teams doing demonstrations and interacting with patrons from 2 to 4 p.m. And cross-country skiing and snowshoeing will be sponsored by Benson’s Ski & Sport, which will provide equipment and basic instruction.
A concession will be offered by Derry Boy Scout Troop 402.
On Sunday, as parking is limited, the Frost Festival Association will offer free shuttle services between noon and 4 p.m. among all the Sunday event locations.
For event updates, call Derry Parks and Recreation at 432-6136 or check Channel 17.
