Grosse Pointe Farms

Winterfest adds football-related activities in honor of Super Bowl weekend

By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer

» Click on image to view full size « File photo by Patricia O’Blenes Attendees of Grosse Pointe Farms’ 2011 Winterfest on the Hill make s’mores and warm up around fire pits during the annual event Jan. 15. This year’s Winterfest is scheduled for Feb. 4 on the Hill. File photo by Patricia O’Blenes Attendees of Grosse Pointe Farms’ 2011 Winterfest on the Hill make s’mores and warm up around fire pits during the annual event Jan. 15. This year’s Winterfest is scheduled for Feb. 4 on the Hill.

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Whether or not the weather cooperates, Winterfest on the Hill is a go.

Free and open to anyone, the community event will take place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, along Kercheval in Grosse Pointe Farms in the Hill business district, which runs from Moran to Fisher.

Co-sponsored by the Farms and the Hill Business Association, along with other businesses, such as Russell Development Co., Kercheval Development and Bologna Building Co., the festival usually draws more than 2,000 throughout the day, said Farms Parks and Recreation Director Richard Huhn.

Winterfest attracts a wide spectrum of visitors.

“It’s not just a family event,” Huhn said. “Couples come down (as well).”

This is the sixth annual Winterfest that has been in collaboration with local businesses — a move made after Mother Nature’s fickle ways led to the cancellation of some past winter festivals at Pier Park. The event has been revised and expanded to be less weather-dependent — a big plus this year, when snowy, freezing days have been few and far between.

“It’s our way of giving back to the community,” Hill Association Treasurer Mary Wells said of Winterfest, which she said greatly benefits from the good relationship the business district has with Farms officials. She called the Winterfest collaboration “a win-win for everybody.”

There will be live ice carving demonstrations in front of the Central Branch of the Grosse Pointe Public Library, at 10 Kercheval; at the Richard Park Gazebo; and at the Bologna Building, at 131 Kercheval. In addition, there will be about 30 ice carvings throughout the district. Ideally, organizers would like to see temperatures below freezing for the sculptures, which lose their definition quickly when the mercury rises about 40 degrees and it’s sunny, Huhn said. But visitors can again expect to be dazzled by these gleaming temporary works of art, which will be left on display until they melt, which can be up to about two weeks, Huhn said.

In honor of the Super Bowl, there are new competitions this year: football throwing and kicking, and a tailgate corn hole game, all of which will take place from noon-2:30 p.m. at the South softball field. Also on the field will be a youth winter flag football game from noon-12:45 p.m.

All ages can try their hand at putt-putt golf on the ice sculpture course from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Hall Place and Kercheval parking lot.

Having it on the Hill gives anyone — not just Farms residents — a chance to attend, and it’s a good way to introduce visitors to the business district, which has become a dining destination in recent years thanks to an influx of new or renovated eateries.

“I think it creates more of a sense of community,” Huhn said. “You want to promote the whole community.”

Visitors have a chance to win prizes by filling out forms at sponsoring businesses. Door prize drawings will be held in the Richard Elementary School parking lot tent at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

After enjoying seasonal activities, visitors can warm up with complimentary chili dogs, coffee and hot chocolate inside the Richard tent between 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., or hot dogs and chili contest entries that will be served from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Bologna Building, at 131 Kercheval. Voting on the chili cook-off entries will take place from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., or until all servings of any one of the entries are gone. DJ Jason Parent will serve up music in the Richard tent from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Those wanting to indulge their sweet tooth can make s’mores from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Richard parking lot, or take part in cookie decorating inside Henry Ford Medical Center-Cottage from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

“We hope this year is as fun as it’s been in the past,” Wells said. “I think everyone looks forward to it.”

For more information or to register for the chili cook-off, call Farms Parks and Recreation at (313) 343-2405.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at kmoran@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1047.