By Patricia Measer
For over 35 years, the Mayville-Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce (MCCOC) has hosted the annual Mayville Winterfest. Famous for its ice castle, people come from all around, including Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Cleveland, to see it. This year, the festival is expected to be bigger and better than ever.
Sally Andriaccio, co-owner of Andriaccio’s Restaurant in Mayville and a member of the MCCOC committee that helps to organize the festival, expects a great turnout. She credits the large number of attendees to how the festival has grown in scope over the years. It started out with someone carving an ice castle and advertising it, as a way to get people to come into Mayville and support local businesses during the winter months. This annual event has grown into a full-blown festival with food, crafts, games, and fireworks.
Winterfest now fills up Lakeside Park in Mayville, with separate sections for food trucks, a beer and wine tent, a vendor shopping area, and a snow sledding hill. There is also a designated kids’ area in the enclosed pavilion next to the playground. The building will be heated and will provide yard games, face painting, and more.
The festival kicks off Friday evening, February 17th, at 6:30pm with the Opening Ceremonies. The king and queen of the festival are introduced, and last year’s king and queen hand over their crowns. This usually takes place next to the ice castle. However, due to unseasonably warm weather, the committee hasn’t been able to obtain the ice. Sally says not to worry. Even without the ice castle, the opening ceremonies are fun to attend. They are working on building a snow castle instead. Food will be available for purchase from the Best of Buffalo by Byron, and DJ Carmello will be MC’ing that night.
And there is so much to see and do all weekend! Carriage rides are offered all day, and if weather permits, snowmobile rides for the kids. The Dewittville Fire Department will be on hand to demonstrate how they would handle a cold-water rescue on the lake. A wood carving demonstration and raffle is scheduled for Saturday, along with a Chili Cookoff and a Pet Parade. The music duo “Interstate Day Dream” will play from 5pm-8pm, after which is the fireworks show.
Also on Saturday, the 8th annual Polar Plunge starts at Noon. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the St. Susan Center in support of their mission to feed the hungry.
Sunday events include a snowman/snow-animal building contest and a 5K Run. New for this year: MCCOC has partnered with a local charity, The Glass Half Full, for the first annual Mayville Winter Spike Fest! This is a solo, buddy or bring your own team volleyball tournament. They caution that this is an outdoor tournament, so remember to dress appropriately. Also, because of unpredictable weather conditions, please expect recreational/intermediate level play.
When asked how the committee manages all these activities along with the sheer volume of people, Sally responded, “lots and lots of volunteers.” They have volunteers to man the gates, put up the castle, manage the five different parking lots, and provide direction. Planning for Winterfest started back in October to have enough time to arrange the logistics, food, music and work with sponsors. But according to Sally, it is all worth the effort.
“I love just seeing it all come together, seeing families come out and have a good time together and kick that cabin fever.”
For more information on the activities and sponsors, visit www.facebook.com/MayvilleWinterFestival.