The Annual WinterFest, organized by the La Porte Park and Recreation Department, returns January 26-28, 2024!
FREE ICE SKATING ALL WEEKEND (JANUARY 26-28)
Glide into winter enjoyment! Bundle up and come ice skate at the Downtown La Porte Ice Rink, located at Monroe and State streets. Skate time is FREE by entering the discount code WINTERFEST during checkout. Skate rental available for $3. A signed waiver is required. Reserve your spot at www.laporteparkandrec.com.
Ice Skating at the Downtown La Porte Ice Rink Flyer
FRIDAY – JANUARY 26
WINTER CRAFT FOR OLDER ADULTS – FREE
9-11 a.m. – ACOA (910 Lincolnway)
Join staff from La Porte County Library and our Activity Center for Older Adults for a blustery, winter craft! Participants will create an upcycled-paper snowflake using book pages.
ICE SCULPTURING DEMONSTRATIONS – FREE
Friday afternoon – Plaza 618 – Downtown La Porte
Ice, ice, baby! Our downtown will transform into a frozen art gallery at Plaza 618. Enjoy the creative designs as you peruse the offerings at local shops, enjoy a hearty meal at one of the local restaurants and enjoy some time on this year’s ice skating rink!
WinterFest – Ice Sculpturing Demonstration Flyer
SATURDAY – JANUARY 27
PINE ICE DERBY – De Camp Band of Brothers
6 a.m.-2 p.m. – Pine Lake
Haul in that big fish or just recall the one that got away! Put on your thermal underwear, cast those lines, compete for prizes and share your stories at The Blue Heron Inn, after the derby. Sundays Sons Band starts at 3 p.m. ice or no ice. Fee is $60.
SNOWBALL SOFTBALL COED TOURNEY
9 a.m. – Lions Field
Dashing through the snow, turning double plays! Get your team together for our version of the “hot stove” league. Double-elimination tournament; limited to the first eight teams to register. Pre-registration required. Team enty fee $185. Deadline to enter is Friday, January 19.
Snowball Softball Coed Tournament – Rules
Snowball Softball Coed Tournament – Roster Form (printable)
Snowball Softball Coed Tournament Event Flyer
BASIC SEWING CLASS
9 a.m.-noon – Steady Stitchers Studio (1640 First Street)
Stay warm with this fun activity! Learn to make your own scarf, hat, or hooded scarf. All sewing levels welcome. Cost of the project is only $5. Pre-registration is preferred at the Park Office by calling 219-326-9600 or visiting 250 Pine Lake Avenue. Instruction provided by the Steady Stitchers.
INTRODUCING JIU JITSU FOR KIDS – FREE
11 a.m.-noon – Civic Auditorium – Lower Level
Is your child looking to try something new? Come and join certified instructor Vermilyer as he introduces Jiu Jitsu. This one-time class is a great way to introduce your child to the martial art. Jiu Jitsu is a great form of exercise and considered to be the best arts for self-defense. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Wavier required.
WinterFest Introduction to Jiu Jitsu Flyer
FROSTY’S FROZEN BIKE RIDE – FREE
1-3 p.m. – Cummings Lodge
Feeling the winter blahs? Riding a bike in the winter will help beat back those wintertime blues. The event starts at noon with registration while the pedaling takes off at 1 p.m. Participants will take a leisurely one-hour ride and return to Cummings Lodge for some snacks and hot chocolate. Check your tires, bundle up (layers are recommended), grab your helmet and let’s cruise together!
WinterFest – Frosty’s Frozen Bike Ride Flyer
Frosty’s Frozen Bike Ride Waiver (Required)
EXPLORING THE EXCHANGE – FREE
9 a.m.-5 p.m. – LPCPL Exchange (807 Indiana Avenue)
Check out all this incredible facility has to offer, with projects using the multiple crafting avenues available, such as creating on the 3-D printer or using the Cricut®. The LPCPL staff will be on hand to instruct.
FAMILY FUN AT RED MILL COUNTY PARK – FREE
Provided by La Porte County Parks
Noon-2 p.m. – Cookies and Crafts: Learn about the science of snowflakes
2-3 p.m. – Game Time: Artic Animal Survival
3-4 p.m. – Snowshoeing: Snowshoes available to check out for free (led by naturalist)
4-5 p.m. – Night Hike (flashlights provided)
5-6:30 p.m. – Campfire: Story telling and s’mores
For additional information on activities presented by La Porte County Parks go to https://laportecountyparks.org/
County Parks WinterFest Activity Schedule
SUNDAY – JANUARY 28
WINTER KIDS CRAFT – FREE – Parties on the Gogh
Noon-1 p.m. – Cummings Lodge
Bring your littles for a fun craft! Spend time with your family as you complete a fun project while enjoying snacks and hot chocolate. Led by Kristi Chadderdon from Parties on the Gogh.
HORSE DRAWN WAGON RIDES – FREE
1:30-3:30 p.m. – Cummings Lodge
Jingle, jingle, jingle. Take a brisk ride through the beauty of wintry nature while enjoying the majesty of the equine. After a trot through Soldiers Memorial Park, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate by the fireplace.
WinterFest Horse Drawn Wagon Rides Flyer
SNOW GLOBE PAINTING CLASS – Parties on the Gogh
2 p.m. – Civic Auditorium (Lower Level)
Football on TV again? Want to get away? Join Parties on the Gogh to spend your afternoon painting your own piece of art. This adult class has a $45 fee, with all supplies and instruction included. Pre-registration is required.
For up-to-date changes or cancellations on each of the WinterFest events, call the Park Office or follow us on Facebook.
For information on becoming a WinterFest sponsor contact sback@cityoflaportein.gov or call 219-326-9600.
For more information on WinterFest, visit their website www.cityoflaporte.com/parks, follow our
Facebook page at facebook.com/laporteparks or call (219) 326-9600.
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
