Published: January 13, 2009 12:34 am      

TOWN OF TONAWANDA: Winterfest begins Thursday

Winterfest 2009 promises to provide everyone with another outstanding weekend of activities and excitement.

The event kicks off on Thursday with the Winterfest Senior Dance, hosted at the Senior Center. Pyramid Band will provide the entertainment.

The Senior Center is also hosting a wine tasting at 7 p.m. Friday. The same evening, Lincoln Arena will host a Knee Hockey Tournament for the younger hockey enthusiasts.

Lincoln Park and Lincoln Arena will be bustling on Saturday and Sunday with two full days of activities. Saturday morning will see ice hockey teams from Hamilton, Ontario compete against the Town’s House League Select Teams. Outside events during the morning and afternoon will include the One-Pitch softball tournament and hay rides through Lincoln Park.

Back in the ice arena, spectators will be treated to a figure skating show, three Mini-Mite Hockey games and a free recreational skate starting at 7 p.m. At 10 p.m. the night concludes with an outdoor concert and bonfire.

Sunday morning begins on the ice again with a skills competition for youth hockey players. As afternoon approaches, the arena will host a family carnival and skating session with games, an ice sculpting exhibition, snowmobile rides and other family activities.

Late in the day the Kenmore East and Kenmore West Federation Hockey teams will battle it out in the Winterfest Classic. The evening ends at Lincoln Park with a fireworks display. The Aquatic and Fitness Center will be the site of this year’s Floating Flick, where patrons float on inner tubes, air mattresses or rubber rafts while viewing the movie “Surf’s Up.”

On Monday, Winterfest draws to a close with a 3-on-3 Hockey tournament at Lincoln and Brighton Arenas. A Miniature Golf tournament will be offered at the Paddock Chevrolet Golf Dome, followed by a Hole-In-One contest. Lincoln Arena will host the Winterfest Wind Down recreational skating session, sponsored by the Town Police Club.

For more information about any of the activities or to see what else will be going on during the event-filled weekend, call the town’s Youth, Parks and Recreation Department at 831-1001.