23rd Annual Camden Winterfest! Ice Carving, Dog Fashion Show, Polar Plunge, Hot Food, 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 live jazz, a community Mini Ice Block Station, and a hugebook 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 Block Station!) Enjoy delicious hot food and fun music!
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
11:30 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.
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.
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 welcome, too!
There are no pre-registrations. Just SHOW UP with your furry pal and LINE UP at the sign at 11:30 AM. Julia or her helper will greet you and ask questions about your pet. The show will start at 12:00 PM!
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.
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:
(Check back soon for sponsors!)
Camden Winterfest is made possible by the generous support of…