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02/14/2017 03:00 PMWhatever the weather, a storm of winter-themed activities are coming to town. On Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Town Green and the community center will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland hosted by the Parks & Recreation Department.
The Winter Wonderland event has been going on in town for close to 20 years. Traditionally featuring horse-drawn carriage rides, ice sculptors, and activities for the whole family, the theme of the day’s events have shifted a bit this year, said Parks & Recreation Director Rick Maynard.
“Over time we have changed the focus a little, but because you never know what the weather is going to be like, a lot of it is inside now,” he said. “It is not really snow-based anymore because we can’t be sure we are going to have [snow], but still it is a great event while the kids have a day off from school and families have something to do.”
Activities will be divided up between the Green and the Community Center. Inside the community center there will be games and activities, including inflatables, laser tag, crafts, and a photo booth. Out on the Green, there will be horse drawn carriage rides, a Colonial-era replica camp, and maybe a few other activities, weather permitting.
“Last year or the year before when we had a lot of snow, my maintenance guys made a sledding hill on the Green,” said Maynard. “This happened two years when we had enough snow so that was exciting. We had the little plastic sleds..It was good and a lot of fun.”
In previous years the event has drawn anywhere from 400 to 500 people. At the community center Parks & Recreation Program Coordinator Corey Patrick said there will be food for purchase, activities, and entertainment, including an ice sculptor who will carve a surprise figure out on the courtyard.
With plenty to do, this event is a good way to encourage people to get outdoors during the winter months, Maynard said.
“I think the biggest reason that we started doing this 20 years ago is too often people get cabin fever,” he said. “We want to make a reason for people to go outside. People stay inside in the winter but there is a lot that you can do outside.”
The event is $5 per person and tickets can be purchased in advance at the community center, 32 Church Street, or online at www.guilfordparkrec.com. The Winter Wonderland Event is Tuesday, Feb. 21 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Community Center and the Guilford Green.