The Winter Festival will take place Saturday, February 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a full range of winter outdoor activities for the whole family. The Festival is FREE and there is no registration or sign-up. Everyone is welcome to attend. Last year’s “Winter Festival” at Black Rock State Park in Watertown drew more than 800 adults and children.
Commissioner Amey Marrella said, “Back by popular demand, this year’s Winter Festival promises to be brighter and better (and maybe even snowier) than ever before. Bundle up and join enthusiastic families who, year after year, join DEP staff and volunteers for a day of wintry fun in New England. Play like you did when you were a child, participate in activities with your kids and sip hot chocolate while roasting a marshmallow or two over a warm bonfire.”
The “Winter Festival” takes place Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Burr Pond State Park, Torrington from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Come out and enjoy a day full of outdoor adventure. Activities will include ice fishing, snowshoeing, guided winter tree ID walks, letterboxing, ice safety rescue demonstrations by the Torrington Fire Department, visit from Resources in Search and Rescue, and a bonfire complete with a marshmallow roast and storytelling. A concession stand will be available for food and beverage purchases.
“The Winter Festival is part of Connecticut’s No Child Left Inside initiative designed to encourage families and children to visit Connecticut state parks and forests to enjoy the beauty, history, recreational and educational opportunities that our parks and forests offer. Through events like the Winter Festival we hope to encourage families to go out on their own and enjoy nature,” added Commissioner Marrella.
Tips on Dressing for Cold Weather
As you prepare to be outside in severe cold weather, please remember the following:
· Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.
· Most of your body heat is lost through your head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.
· Dress in warm layers so you can remove items if you get too warm.
· Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia that can be a serious medical condition: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
· Recognize frostbite warning signs: gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
· Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.
· Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket or warm fluids like hot cider or soup. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol if you expect you or someone you are trying to help has hypothermia or frostbite.
No Child Left Inside
No Child Left Inside is a statewide initiative launched by Governor Rell in 2006 to reconnect youngsters with the outdoors, showcase Connecticut’s state parks and forests and encourage a new generation of environmental stewards. The Great Park Pursuit family contest is a centerpiece of the initiative. Connecticut families follow clues as they tour state parks and forests over a seven-week period. At each location they complete a variety of activities that may include hiking, fishing, canoeing, biking and more. The fifth annual Great Park Pursuit is scheduled to begin in May. For more information about the Great Park Pursuit or No Child Left Inside contact the CT Department of Environmental Protection at (860) 418-5981.
