By Kate Bartlett
This year marks the 6th annual Winterval Festival at Riverworks in Buffalo to benefit Aspire of Western New York next Thursday, January 29 from 5:30-8:30pm. This annual event is a family-friendly all-inclusive celebration of Winter including ice skating, curling, hot chocolate and more. Tickets include activities, dinner and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages with cash bar available.
Winterval has been a hit since its inception, not only raising funds to support Aspire of WNY, but in celebration of the winter season itself. Tickets include 2 hours of ice skating, curling, full dinner buffet, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, including coffee and hot chocolate and cash bar available. There’s also a basket raffle with great prize. This year also features a special raffle of a Buffalo Bills helmet signed by Christian Benford.
The event started 6 years ago as an alternative winter event to Aspire of WNY’s annual Ski in the Valley at Holiday Valley. “We were looking for something that would be more inclusive to the populations we serve,” says Shana Kuras, Events Coordinator for Aspire. “Not all of the people we support can ski, so we decided to do and ice-skating event with adaptive equipment so anyone can participate.”
The event is open to the public with ticket proceeds to benefit Aspire of WNY, serving programs that directly support the community. Aspire has been serving Western New York for over 75 years supporting people of all intellectual and developmental disabilities in all aspects of life from school-age through adult with services including schooling, residential, respite, day services and more. They operate under the mission that “we believe children and adults with developmental disabilities have the right to realize their full potential and live as independently as possible.”
Aspire of WNY will host a similar event, On Ice, at the Northwest Arena in Jamestown on Saturday, February 21, from 6-9pm. This event is similar to Winterval as it includes 2 hours of ice skating (with skate rental) with dinner, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks and hot chocolate, but it also includes ice bumper cars. “This event has steadily gained momentum since we started it 3 years ago,” explains Shana. “We wanted to expand to include more areas we serve. It’s been a great way to help increase awareness of our agency, fundraise, and gather people together to celebrate winter.”
Shana describes the event as a fun, laid-back family-friendly celebration of the winter season. “It’s great to bring the community, our staff, and the people we serve together,” explains Shana. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the work that we do in the community and celebrate with the people we serve.”
For more information visit aspirewny.org/Winterval or email skuras@aspirewny.org. Tickets are $35/adult, $20 ages 5-10 (under 5 free) and available online until January 28. Tickets will be available at the door at $40/adult at Riverworks located at 253 Ganson Street in Buffalo. Visit the website and follow on social media for upcoming events with Aspire throughout the year.