Local winter happenings in Lake County
By Mimi Vanderhaven
Although most people view the cold, gray days of winter as a signal to hunker down under blankets with hot cocoa in front of the fire, there are plenty of local winter happenings to put some carpe in your diem.
Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland. A spirited variety of winter-themed activities includes carving competitions, demonstrations, and a battle between fire and ice, just to name a few.
“Our event kicks off with a speed ice-carving competition on Friday, January 25, from 5 to 9 p.m.,” says John Venen, promotions and advertising manager for Lake Metroparks, which hosts the event, “and the evening’s festivities culminate with a fire inside a six-foot tower of ice.”
The frigid fun continues the next day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Elegant Ice Creations’ World Champion ice carver, Aaron Costic, will be making an appearance and creating one of his notable sculptures. He has won medals at international competitions as well as the Olympics.
Festival goers will also enjoy ice-themed story hours, crafts, live music, and hot cocoa and s’mores served next to roaring firepits.
Another notable event—the 15th Annual Ice Wine Festival—provides a progressive wine tasting from the fine ice wines of the Grand River Valley Wine Region: Debonne Vineyards, Ferrante Winery, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant, Laurello Vineyards & St. Joseph Vineyards. Each vendor serves samples of their wines, along with a complimentary appetizer.
For anyone who has never tasted ice wines, these delicious bevvies are harvested from grapes that are left on the vines after autumn and allowed to freeze, which produces a sweet and fruity dessert wine that rarely disappoints.
The Ice Wine Festival takes place on three Saturdays, March, 2, 9 and 16, from noon to 5 p.m.
You can expect a host of wintry shenanigans at each winery, from sled dog demonstrations to ice carving and live music.
Cost is $6 at each winery and those who bring in canned food items to help local food banks receive $1 off admission.
Lake Metroparks Farmpark is located at 8800 Euclid Chardon Road in Kirtland. Admission to the Farmpark applies for the Ice Festival. Visit Lakemetroparks.com/parks-trails/farmpark for more information. To find out details on the Ice Wine Festival, visit GrandRiverCellars.com.