23rd Annual Camden Winterfest! Ice Carving, Dog Fashion Show, Polar Plunge, Hot Food, Ice Cornhole, Music, & MORE!
Saturday, January 31 @ 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
What happens when you bring together ice carving, a polar plunge, fashionable dogs (and cats?!), spectacular kids activities, fun music, and delicious local food on a winter’s day? You guessed it — Camden Winterfest!
The Camden Public Library is excited to announce that the 23rd annual Camden Winterfest will take place on Saturday, January 31 from 10:30 AM* to 2:00 PM with all of the beloved traditions including ice carving, polar plunge, doggie fashion show, hot food, music, and more PLUS bonus features including ICE CORNHOLE, live jazz, a community Mini Ice Carving Station, and a huge Book Sale!
Schedule of Events
9:30 – 10:00 AM – Ice Carving Teams arrive & Polar Plunge Check-In
10:30 AM – Polar Plunge with Sundog Outdoor Leadership Initiative
10:30 AM – 2:00 PM – Watch ice carving (professionals and amateurs!) or participate (reserve a large ice block or try using tools with at our Mini Ice Carving Station!) Enjoy delicioushot food and fun music! Try out Ice Cornhole (with boards made of ice blocks!), sponsored by GoNetSpeed
10:30 AM – 2:00 PM – Indoor crafts and face painting for kids with Miss Amy! (Face painting ends at 1)
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – LIVE JAZZ music inside the library rotunda for those who want to warm up
11:00 AM – Registration opens for Doggie Fashion Show (go to the table in the middle of the Amphitheatre!)
11:30 AM – Line up for Doggie Fashion Show
12:00 PM – Doggie Fashion Show (participate or watch!)
1:00 PM – Story Walk with Miss Amy around the Amphitheatre and Harbor Park
Hot food, treats, music, ice carving, and indoor activities continue until 2:00 PM!
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Winter(fest) Book Sale at the Blue Door Book Shed (by the Atlantic Ave parking lot behind the Amphitheatre). Great books at amazing prices!
*Please note that check-in for the Polar Plunge is at 10:00 AM. If you are participating in the Polar Plunge, you must check in then. Ice carving teams are also encouraged to arrive around 9:30 or 10:00 AM.
The Famous Doggie Fashion Show Returns!
Get ready for another installment of the famous Doggie Fashion Show! Your pet(s) can be as elaborately or sparsely dressed as they prefer. Cats and other creatures are welcome, too!
Doggie Fashion Show registrations open at 11:00 AM. Head to the table in the middle of the Amphitheatre with your furry pal to register. Julia or her helper will ask you some questions about your pup/pet and give you a number (like in a race). You can line up at the sign starting at 11:30 AM, in the order of your numbers. The show will start at 12:00 PM! All pup participants will get a treat!
Sundog Polar Plunge
This year, we’re once again kicking Winterfest off with a (cold) splash! The 8th Annual Polar Plunge FUNdraiser, put on by Sundog Outdoor Leadership Initiative, will take place FIRST due to the tides. At 10:30 AM*, Polar Plungers will run and splash into the frigid Camden Harbor to benefit Sundog. Join the brave or watch the show from the comfort of your coat!
*Please note that check-in for the Polar Plunge is at 10:00 AM. If you are participating in the Polar Plunge, you must check in then.
Sign up for an ICE BLOCK!
Have you ever wanted to try ice carving? Winterfest is your chance to transform a crystal-clear, 300 lb. block of ice into a sparkling sculpture! No experience is necessary and all tools will be provided! Sign up on your own or with friends, a group, school, or organization.
Our master ice carver Tim Pierce will rough out your design with a chainsaw, and then you carve with traditional hand tools. It’s a blast for all ages! One ice block registration is $60, which helps to cover the cost of the ice blocks.
Parking
Atlantic Avenue will be closed during Winterfest. Free parking is available on streets in town, including Main Street. Further parking is available at:
- Knox Mill Parking Lot, located at the Knox Mill between Knowlton Street and Washington Street.
- Washington Street Parking Lot, located next to the Camden Public Safety Building, which is across from the Knox Mill parking lot.
- These are all within short walking distance of the Camden Amphitheatre.
For more parking information visit the Town page.
Winterfest Partners
WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:
AND IN-KIND DONATIONS FROM:
& Scott’s Place!
ICE CORNHOLE AT WINTERFEST IS SPONSORED BY GONETSPEED
Camden Winterfest is made possible by the generous support of First National Bank, in-kind donations from Buttermilk Kitchen at Marriner’s, Megunticook Market, Camden Deli, Hannaford in Camden, Scott’s Place, Bagel Cafe, French & Brawn Marketplace, Villager Cafe, Rankin’s Hardware/Viking Lumber; additional sponsorship from GoNetSpeed; partnership with Sundog Outdoor Leadership Initiative; and a dedicated team of volunteers.