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2-07-2007 By MICHELLE MILLER Staff Writer Barown says some of the outdoor activities, such as the snow sculpting contest and sled racing, may be affected by the weather, but snow or no snow, the festivities will carry on. "We are just hoping not to receive rain and sleet like last Friday," says Barown. "That would really put a damper on things." "A lot of our events are purposely scheduled indoors because nobody can predict the winters," says Barown. The Winter Carnival, themed "Shiver Me Timbers," will take place Feb. 8, 9 and 10, and will combine the usual favorite activities with new and exciting events for children and adults of all ages. New to this year's event is "The Monsters of Templeton" book signing and party. Barown says she expects a good turn out for novelist Lauren Groff's return to her hometown. Groff's first novel, "The Monsters of Templeton," which is about her hometown, has received rave reviews from the likes of Stephen King and will be available for purchase at Augur's Book Store during her book signing from 5 to 6:30 p.m. "The Monsters of Templeton" party will be held at Templeton Hall from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Barown says the SPCA Dog Show will be brought back this year even though the festival will have a pirate theme instead of dog theme. She says the event was very popular last year so organizers decided to have it a second year. The dog show will be held at 12:30 p.m. in the Doubleday Parking Lot and is sponsored by Dog Wild Canine Supply. The popular Winter Carnival parade will not kick off this year's Winter Carnival activities. Instead, the seventh annual Carnival Fireworks display will start the Winter Carnival weekend off with a boom Friday at Lake Front Park at 6:30 p.m. The "Parade of Pirates" will step off at 10 a.m. Saturday. "This year the committee decided to hold it during the day, so that the floats can be better viewed, and hopefully the weather will be a little warmer," said parade Cochair Amanda Pinney. The parade will begin at the intersection of Main Street and Railroad Avenue, and make its way down Main Street, ending in Cooper Park. The annual Carnival Cooler drink contest is back again after last year's makeover. Instead of participants going from bar to bar to sample each establishment's entry in the contest, all entries will be available for sampling in one location. The "Yo Ho Ho, Drinks Full of Rum" Carnival Cooler and Dance will be held Friday from 7:30 p.m. to midnight at Templeton Hall, 63 Pioneer St. Doors will open at 7 p.m. The Cooler will feature entries from Cooperstown's best bartenders, each competing for the judge and audience choice awards. Cover charge is $5 for drink samples, and admission to Friday's live band, Jim and Bo. Complimentary snacks and a cash bar will be available. Guests must be 21 or over. On Saturday, downtown Cooperstown will feature live music. George Kilby, Jr., will perform in the Pit at the Tunnicliff Inn. Local band Full Throttle will play old- time rock favorites at Cooley's Stone House Tavern, 49 Pioneer St. At Doubleday Cafe, 93 Main St., Carizmo, from St. Johnsville, will play classic rock and roll. And the Hoffman Lane Bistro, 2 Hoffman Lane, will feature vintage jazz and old-time favorites performed by Native Sons Jazz Trio. There will be no cover charge at venues this year, thanks to lead sponsor Lamont Engineers and sponsor Cooperstown Dreams Park, according to organizers. Guests must be 21 or over. Other traditional favorites include the Chili and Chowder Contest, the Chocolate Lover's Festival, and the eating contest, says Barown. Barown says carnival organizers are still looking for more people to participate in the food events. She said interested people can register online at cooperstowncarnival. org or contact her at 293- 7349. For a complete schedule of the weekend's events, visit www.cooperstowncarnival.org. Committee members include Teri Barown, Co-Chair; Donna Borgstrom, Co-Chair; Scott Barton; Geoff Bell; Peter Deysenroth; Dan Evans; Kathy Sinnott Gardner; Tina Macaluso; Amanda Pinney; Elise Schiellack; Whitney Selover; and Brian Wrubleski. |
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