Winter Carnival

DATE: FEBRUARY 1st-3rd, 2019
LOCATION: Events all over town, all weekend long!


Schedule of Events Brochure(Large file - could take a few moments to download)


Parade of Lights Application Ice Carving Call to Artists
Ice Walk Map Ice Carving Sponsorship
Sleigh Bell Run Online Registration
or Registration Form & Flyer Road Race Map Course
Cardboard Sled Race Pre-Registration
K9 Keg Pull Registration Greenfield Public Library Activities Poetry Walk Scavenger Hunt

2019 Award Winners 2019 Sleigh Bell Run Results

We need your help - Volunteer at the Carnival Today!
Volunteer at the Carnival Today!


Winter Carnival

For more information call the Recreation Department at 772-1553

Friday, February 1st Events

Ice Carving All day - Live Ice Carvings Downtown – Artists will be sculpting ice throughout the day in front of our downtown sponsoring businesses. Check out the Ice Walk Map and vote for your favorite sculpture at the ballot box on the Town Common by Sunday, February 3rd at 10:00 am.

Amateur Photography Contest and Exhibition 2nd floor of Wilson’s Department Store on display during store hours through Wednesday, February 9. Black and white and color entries depicting Franklin County Winter Subjects/Scenes accepted at The Recorder Office reception desk (14 Hope St., Greenfield) from January 1st until Friday, January 25th.

Ongoing – February 1-3 – Downtown Poetry Walk – Stop by the library or look online for a map of our first ever Winter Carnival themed poetry walk. A dozen poems will be posted around town to reflect and enhance your winter carnival experience. Check out this years Poetry Walk

Ongoing – February 1-3 – Instagram Winter Carnival Scavenger Hunt – Find the items on our scavenger hunt list, take a picture and post it on Instagram. Everyone who plays wins a prize! The list will be posted online and available at 10:00 am Friday morning. Check out this years Scavenger Hunt

Torch Lighting 10:00 am-5:00 pm – Hot Chocolate and Board Game Social – Stop by Greenfield Public Library and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate! While you're there stay to play one of the library's many board games. Play areas will be set up throughout the main floor.

Bonfire 4:00 pm – Torch Lighting – A celebratory torch provided by Suburban Propane will be lit on Town Common to mark the beginning of the 97th Annual Winter Carnival.

5:00-7:00 pm – Warming Fire – Warm up by the fire at Beacon Field. Bring your own marshmallows and hotdogs. Sticks will be provided.

Bonfire 5:30-6:00 pm – MEGAdance - Dancing in the streets! Join MEGAdance for a downtown dance party on Court Square in front of Town Hall. Get your heart pumping to the music with this high-energy dance fitness program.

Parade of Lights6:00 pm – The 5th Annual Parade of Lights will help kick-off the festival with displays that will surely light up the night! Decorated vehicles will travel from Newton School, along Main Street, down Federal Street, on to Beacon Street, and ending on Gerrett Street at Beacon Field. Lighted vehicle entries are needed. Entries will be judged with prizes awarded in multiple categories. Applications due by January 11th. Rules and application available here. Whether you are in the parade or just observing, it’s an event you won’t want to miss!

7:00 pm – Fireworks Display – The kick-off continues at Beacon Field for a dazzling Fireworks Display being shot from Poet’s Seat Tower. It’s a display that’s sure to captivate all ages.

TapRoots and Wurliday 8:00 pm – Winter Carnival Ball with TapRoots and Wurliday at Hawks & Reed – A great night of dancing to warm you up and get rid of your winter blues! Doors open at 8:00 pm, music begins at 8:30 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance, $13 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Hawks and Reed.

Saturday, February 2nd Events

Youth Basketball9:00 am-12:30 pm – Youth Basketball League Games – Greenfield Middle School. The Greenfield Recreation Basketball teams will be playing against local rivals. Ages 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is free.

Sleigh Bell Run 10:00 am – Sleigh Bell Run – 4 Mile Road Race. A scenic course starting on Hope Street and running through Highland Park area. Pre-register at Recreation
Department, online, or day of race at Hope & Olive Restaurant from 8:45-9:30 am. Prizes awarded for top finishers in each age division. First 75 entrants receive t-shirt and sleigh bell bracelets. $20 Pre Race Entry by Friday, January 18th, $25 after this date and on race day. Youth under the age of 18 are half price. Click Here to Register Online or download the Registration Form. Road Race Map Course

2:00 pm-4:00 pm – Fatbike Group Ride – Bicycle World will be leading a group ride through the Greenfield Ridge. The ride will depart from Bicycle World, 104 Federal Street at 2:00 pm. Bring your own equipment.

Cribbage Tournament 3:00 pm – Cribbage Tournament - John Zon Community Center – Fun For All Ages! $15 Registration. Boards and cards provided. Custom Pioneer Valley Wood Art Championship and Runner-up Cribbage Board/Trophies awarded.

4:00 pm – Winter Carnival - Big Saturday Jamboree at Hawks and Reed – With music and family fun. $7 per child. Ideal for young children Ages 0 - 8.

Winter Carnival Family Fun Fest at the Youth Center, 20 Sanderson Street
Suggested Donation of $5 per person, $20 per family
Alex the Jester10:00 am – Alex the Jester – Laugh ‘til you cry with Alexander, King of Jesters and his physical comedy show. He speaks a magical sounding gibberish called Grammelot that somehow makes sense to everyone, regardless of native tongue. He’s dazzled audiences on Showtime, America’s Got Talent, at Just for Laughs in Montreal, and off-Broadway in New York. His dialect, costuming, music, charisma and wildly imaginative spirit will transport you back to the days of the Medieval Fool. Your funny bone will never forget it!

11:00 am-12:30 pm – Art Exhibit – Artwork by Greenfield Middle School students will be on display on the Second Floor of the Youth Center. Come admire the artistic talent of our youth.

Face Painting 11:00 am-12:30 pm – Face Painting and Crafts for Kids offered by the Recreation Commission and Macaroni Kid.

11:00 am-12:30 pm – Greenfield Games will bring fun to the table with new and exciting board games for you to play.

Ongoing – Paper Snowflake Contest – Drop off your homemade paper snowflake during Family Fun Fest or in advance at the Recreation Department to enter. We are looking for that one paper snowflake that stands out above all the others! It can be big...or small...plain…or bedazzled! Be sure to include your name, age, and phone number on the back! Winners will be chosen in multiple age groups. One snowflake per child.

Ongoing – Popcorn and Drinks available for purchase

Sunday, February 3rd Events

Breakfast with Olaf8:00 am-10:00 am – Breakfast with Olaf at The 99 Restaurant – $6.00 per person. 10 and under $4.00. Two years and under free. Bring your family and friends to help support Greenfield Winter Carnival! Tickets available in advance and at the door. Purchase at the Recreation Department. Cash or check only.

12:00 pm – Snowshoeing Trek – Meet at the Highland Pond parking lot at 12:00 pm for a 60-90 minute free guided walk around Rocky Mountain Trails. Bring your own snowshoes!

Beacon Field Events

Snowman Village Ongoing – Sledding & Outdoor Ice Skating – Come enjoy the Beacon Sledding Hill and our Ice Rink. Available all winter long! Bring your own sleds or skates.

Ongoing – Snowman Village – help build our annual snowman community at Beacon Field. Bring your own decorations and design your own snowman. Construct your own member of the Winter Carnival’s Snowman Village.

Ongoing – Snow Sculpture Contest – First come, first claimed for pre-built snow mound (weather permitting) or make your own. Add your own fun accessories. (Food coloring only for colors please – do not use paint). Start as early as you would like. Judging begins at 3:15 pm.

Marshmallow Toasting Ongoing – Marshmallow Toasting by the Warming Fire – Sticks and Marshmallows provided.

12:00 pm – Cookie Bake Off – Enter to win our Cookie Contest. Drop off your favorite cookies to Beacon Field at 12:00 pm. Bring a minimum of 2 dozen cookies per entrant. All cookie types welcome. Please share recipes and ingredients. Categories: Most Original, Best Overall and Best Decorated! Click Here for the official rules!

12:00 pm – Chili Cook-Off – Come sample chili prepared by our local restaurants who will be competing for bragging rights for “The Best Chili Around”.  If you are a local restaurant interested in participating please click here for more details.

Activities 12:00 pm-1:00 pm – Hockey Match: The Franklin County Sheriff's Hockey team will challenge the Franklin County Fire Fighters at the Beacon Field Outdoor Rink. A “Pond Hockey Rules” style game: 4 on 4 with goal boxes. Come watch the rivalry continue outside at Beacon.

12:00 pm-2:00 pm – Fatbike Demo – Bicycle World of Greenfield will provide free Fatbike demos. Never heard of fatbikes? They are off-road bicycles with oversized tires that allow riders to traverse unstable terrain such as snow! Try one for yourself at the Carnival!

12:00 pm-4:00 pm – Snowshoe Demos – Eastern Mountain Sports of Hadley will provide FREE snowshoe demonstrations. Ask questions; learn tips and tricks of this winter sport!

Snowmobile12:00-4:00 pm – Vintage Snowmobile Show & Rides – Take a trip down memory lane at the Vintage Snowmobile Show sponsored by The Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts. Stop by and relive snowmobiling in its infancy, and listen to the stories of how snowmobiling used to be. Vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice Competition.

Horse Drawn Sleigh 12:00 pm-4:00 pm – Horse Drawn Sleigh or Wagon Rides by Hubbard Farm. $3 Adults, $2 for Kids 2-16 and kids under 2 are free.

12:00 pm-4:00 pm – Music with DJ Jason Antes – Come enjoy live upbeat music.

12:30 pm – Community Wide Tug of War – Gather ‘round for a good old fashion pulling contest!

K9 Keg Pull 1:00 pm – 7th Annual K9 Keg Pull – Run, dance, do
whatever it takes to urge your dog across the finish line. Sponsored by the Friends of the Paws Park, Lefty’s Brewing Company and the Greenfield Recreation Department. Last year proved to be great fun with dogs of all shapes and sizes sprinting for glory pulling appropriately sized “kegs” – for a Chihuahua, that’s a beer can, while mighty rotts or shepherds pull full-size kegs (all empty of course). Register Online in advance for $5, $10 day of with funds benefiting the Paws Park. A donation box for the Franklin County Regional Shelter will also be on site. Come watch the most adorable event of the day at Beacon Field. Please be considerate and pick up after your dog.

1:00 pm – Ice Bowling – Come experience ice bowling on our ice rink! Can you get a strike on ice?

1:30 pm – Broom Ball – Attempt to sweep away your competition in a round of broom ball. No skates needed, only sneakers or boots!

1:30 pm – Check In Cardboard Sled Entries at Sled Check in Station. Save time by pre-registering your sled on-line. Pre-registration available until Wednesday, January 30th. Click Here to Pre-Register

2:30 pm -- Cardboard Sled Contest at Beacon Field. Your creativity is limitless! Just about anything goes!! NOTE: If no snow, bring your sled to the field. They will be judged on creativity and construction. The RULES are as follows:

  Sled MUST be made of cardboard. Papier-mâché, tape, glue, and paint are also permitted.
  Sleds may not have plastic wrap, wood or other bottom surface material, or runners (unless cardboard). Tape is ok.
  Parents may help children build their sleds.
  One Entry per person

Cardboard Sleds Prizes will be awarded for the following categories:
Youth – Under 16: Fastest, Most Creative, Zaniest, and Best Crash
Group – 2 or more all ages: Fastest, Most Creative, Zaniest, and Best Crash
Adults – 16 and over (single riders): Fastest and Most Creative
Corporate Challenge: Best Design
Most Literary: Win a bag of books in this GPL Sponsored Category.
Overall People’s Choice


3:45 pm – Awards Ceremony – Announcement of the Ice Carving, Parade of Lights, Cardboard Sled Race, Vintage Snowmobile Show, Cookie Bake-Off, Chili Cook-off, and Snow Sculpture Contest winners.

Winter Carnival Snack Bar and Souvenirs
Food, drinks, snacks, and souvenirs on sale Sunday, February 3rd at Beacon Field. Travel Mugs, Winter Carnival Hats, Greenfield Recreation Hoodies,
Winter Carnival Shirts available. Adult & Youth Sizes.

Support Winter Carnival by participating in our Can Raffle!
The raffle will be set-up at different events throughout the weekend. Winners chosen at Sunday’s award ceremony. Many fantastic prizes donated by local businesses. All proceeds help to support Winter Carnival.



THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS


Nor'Easter Sponsors
NorEaster Sponsors

Blizzard Sponsors
Blizzard Sponsors

Snowball Sponsors
Snowball Sponsors

Snowflake Sponsors
D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches
Design Alternative
Finn Insurance
Franklin County Amateur Radio Club
The Hammond Family
Hawks & Reed
Mowry & Schmidt
Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters

Frosty Friends
Denny's Pantry
Sofia's Pizza
Domino's Pizza of Greenfield
Subway of Greenfield
All About Beads
BJ's Wholesale Club
The Body Shoppe
Magic Wings
Pierce Brothers Coffee Roasters
Richardson's Candy Kitchen
Stop and Shop of Greenfield
Berkshire East
Bonnie B's Country Kitchen
Brad's Place
Taylor's Tavern 

Ice Sponsors

Summit Ice

Adam & Eve/Swift Cleaners
David Singer Attorney & Mediator
Garden Cinemas
Greenfield Gallery
Greenfield Savings Bank
Hawks & Reed
Franklin Community Co-Op/Green Fields Market
Olive Street Development
Ryan & Casey Liquors

A very special thank you to
Greenfield Department of Public Works

Recreation Commission
Donna DuSell, Myrt Jaquay, Rachael Jaquay, Francesca Passiglia, Heather Valenta, Barbara Zaccheo

Director of Recreation - Christy Moore
Program Supervisor - Kelly Jenkins
Program Supervisor - Eliza Hollister

Greenfield Recreation Department
Greenfield Recreation Department
20 Sanderson Street • Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 772-1553

Check out our programs all year long!



We create community through people, parks, and programs!