By Darlene Brace
Although the holiday season has passed, winter is still in full swing here in Western New York. This time of year can be quite cold and snowy, with plenty of winter festivities to enjoy. Rachael and Bryce Steffan, part owners of the Bemus Point Golf Club and Tap House, are excited to invite the community to celebrate winter with them at their annual Winter Festival. This festival will take place on Saturday, January 25th, at the Tap House, located at 72 Main Street in Bemus Point. Join them and the community for a full afternoon of live music and activities for you and your family to enjoy, from 12-6pm.
Bring your family and friends to enjoy a delicious meal from the Tap House menu. Their usual menu will be available, which includes things like gourmet burgers, pizza, wings, artisan sandwiches, salads, and more. There will also be a variety of food specials, along with some specials on beer and cocktails. For your convenience, a beer trailer will also be available outside so you can purchase beverages while enjoying the activities outdoors.
In the past, this festival served as a fundraiser to support local snowmobile clubs. However, this year’s festival will not be a fundraiser, so there are some small changes to the event. There won’t be a Chinese auction or fireworks this time around, but if the weather cooperates with some snow on the ground, the festival will offer some fun winter activities. You can look forward to building a giant snow pile and having some fun sledding on the hill at hole #3 of the golf course. Snowmobilers are still invited to join the event just like in previous years. Also, The Ellery Sno-Cruisers will have a tent set up where you can participate in some exciting fundraising activities. Stop by their tent to enter raffles and check out some of their awesome merchandise.
Outside you’ll find a wonderful range of vendors. Treat yourself to some delicious specialty snacks like kettle corn and taffy. Make sure you check out the other vendors that will feature crafts and homemade treasures that the creative vendors will have to offer. There is still time to sign up to be a vendor at the Winter Festival, as they are still accepting nonfood-related vendors at this time. If you are interested in being a vendor, you can call Rachael at 716-386-2893.
As in years past, there will be the annual Christmas tree bonfire, and this year it will begin in the early afternoon. Area residents are encouraged to drop off their Christmas trees at the Tap House. This bonfire has become a beloved tradition that the community eagerly anticipates, and it is one of the highlights of the winter festival. It’s a great way to stay warm while you are outdoors enjoying the music and other festivities. The bonfire illuminates the grounds, creating a beautiful sight, especially when there is snow on the ground.
Another highlight of this Winer Festival will be the live music taking place from 1:30-5:30pm. Award-winning band Black Widow will return to the Tap House, and they will be rocking it outside on the deck. They play an energetic mix of rock, pop, and country music, and they have acquired quite a following. Lead singer Lana uses her amazing and powerful voice to captivate the audience. She and the rest of the band will have you moving and groovin’ to the beat with familiar and favorite cover tunes. This incredibly talented band consistently puts on a great show.
Even though this year’s festival is different from those in the past, Rachael Steffan said, “We still wanted to have the festival, even though it’s a little different this year. It’s still going to be a great winter event that offers something fun for people to do on a winter day. It’s a wonderful way to bring the community together for some outdoor fun.”
So, if you are looking for something fun to do on a winter afternoon, head on out to Bemus Point Golf Club and Tap House on January 25th. The Tap House is not a private club, so it’s open to the public year-round. Join them for their annual Winter Festival, which will feature tasty food, exciting activities, vendors, and amazing live entertainment that will keep everyone entertained all afternoon at this great community event.