Friday, Feb. 14 at 5 p.m.—RUTLAND—Get out and enjoy one of Vermont’s most beautiful seasons with a week full of outdoor activities during Presidents’ Day break. This Rutland tradition boasts a range of activities celebrating the winter season with outdoor and indoor fun. Events include sledding through downtown on Center Street, free ice skating at Giorgetti Arena, snowshoeing and wine tasting at Rutland Country Club, snow sculpture carving at Main Street Park, a chili cook-off and more.
Things get underway on Feb. 14 with Kids’ Valentine’s Night out at Godnick Adult Center and continue all week long. For more information and a full schedule of events visit rutlandrec.com/winterfestevents.
Sled down Center Street in Rutland
Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.—Center Street will be closed to cars starting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday in preparation for a fun evening of sledding through the heart of Downtown Rutland! Sledding tubes provided by Killington Resort.
Tents will offer warmth with free cider from Rutland Area Food Co-op and free hot chocolate from Grow Vermont. The Moose Lodge will also offer a warming station. For a little indoor fun, Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum will also be free to the public from 6-8 with fun kids activities.
Ski at the Vermont State Fairgrounds
Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2 p.m.—Bring your own cross country skis or snowshoes to travel around the Vermont State Fair track! Maple sugar on snow and goodies will be provided by the Rutland County Maple Producers. The Vermont State Fairgrounds are located at 175 S Main St. in Rutland.
Ice skate for free at Giorgetti
Saturday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m.—Join Mission City Church for night of free ice skating for the community at Giorgetti Arena! Any age is welcome —and encouraged— to attend. Hot chocolate will be served. Free skate rentals are available.
The arena will again open to the public for Go Play Day on Saturday. Enjoy outdoor activities for all ages—ice skating, a figure skating show, a teddy bear carry obstacle course, hot food and drinks and music by DJ Big Handsome! You may want to bring a sled for sledding. Snowshoes and ice skates will be available.
Giorgetti Arena is located at 2 Oak St. Ext. in Rutland.
Meet Hedgie
Saturday, Feb. 15 at 11 a.m—Meet Hedgie at Phoenix Books Rutland as part the Winterfest Story Walk Celebration featuring “The Snowy Nap” by Jan Brett. When winter comes, Hedgie tries to stay awake so he doesn’t miss out on all the fun. Snow is on the way, and as Hedgie trundles around the farm all his friends tell him of the winter-time fun he will miss as he hibernates. Hedgie decides to stay awake instead of going to his burrow. But then a snowstorm starts. Luckily, Lisa brings him inside so Hedgie gets to see the wonders of winter from inside the cozy house. Hedgie will be appearing at the store from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This is a free event. Phoenix books is located at 2 Center St. in Rutland.
Teddy Bear Clinic returns
Friday, Feb. 14 at 4:30 p.m. —If it’s been a tough year for your teddy bear, the Teddy Bear Clinic returns to Rutland WinterFest where Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region staff and volunteers will lovingly mend your favorite bear’s worn coat, punctured paw or torn ear. Take a picture with the clinic mascot and enter the raffle for a Vermont Teddy Bear of your own. They’ll also be handing out goodies for the teddy bear’s family.
