Springfield Winter Carnival starts tonight

The carnival will go on, regardless of the weather. That's the word from the organizers of the Springfield Winter Carnival.

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Published February 19, 2016 in the Rutland Herald Springfield Winter Carnival starts tonight! By SUSAN SMALLHEER Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD – The carnival will go on, regardless of the weather. That’s the word from the organizers of the Springfield Winter Carnival. Already postponed from its original date two weeks ago and scaled back because of a lack of snow, carnival organizers said that activities will begin this evening and run all day Saturday at Crown Point Country Club, regardless of the weather. The latest weather forecast predicts snow, rain and again snow during the two days. Carnival spokeswoman Kelly Burton said that some activities had to be changed, and there will no longer be dog sled rides, and there are no activities planned for Sunday. All entrance fees for the broom ball tournament and the cardboard sled races have been waived; both competitions are free. Burton said the carnival will cap off with fireworks Saturday evening, starting at 7:30 p.m. Events begin tonight with a large bonfire, skating and sledding, all under the lights at the country club. The Silver Bullet Food Cart will be providing free hot chocolate both tonight and Saturday. Another food cart, from AJ’s Cartering, will be selling fried dough and cotton candy. On Saturday, a pancake breakfast will be served from 8 to 10 a.m. to benefit the Edgar May Recreation Center swim team. At 10:30 a.m., the cardboard sled races will take place. Since all entries are now free, would-be races should just build a racer and show up, according to Burton. “The contest will go on no matter what Mother Nature brings,” she said. Inside the Pro Shop there will be face painting for kids from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., by Kristina Bernard, and Cheryl the Clown will also be on hand from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The broom ball tournament will begin at 1 p.m. on the pond, and entries will be accepted up until noon on Saturday. Brooms will be provided. DJ Mike Brehme will be playing family friendly tunes from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and people can enjoy skating and sledding. Fireworks will start at 7:30 p.m. While there is limited parking at the country club, a shuttle bus will begin picking people up at the Riverside Middle School at 5:30 p.m., and the last run back to Riverside will be around 9 p.m. Kids under ninth grade need to be accompanied by an adult, and sleds are welcome on the bus. There will also be a bonfire Saturday night, starting at 8 p.m., and the carnival lights will be turned off around 9:30 p.m. “Snow dances are most welcome,” said Burton. For information, people can consult the Springfield Winter Carnival Facebook page, she said. http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20160219/NEWS02/160219389