Frost Festival February 12 and 13, Derry, NH

Pinkerton Academy students, and volunteers helping out at the Frost Festival, from left, Teddy McCarran, 16, and Mark Kissel call Frosty over for a photo with him when they spot him from across the ice during Sunday's fun on Beaver Lake. Photo by Jan Seeger/Derry News Monday, February 16, 2009

The Frost Festival has a long history in Derry, New Hampshire. For three generations residents have celebrated winter fun since 1924. It used to be called the Winter Festival, but now the new name seems to be a double entendre, referring to the famous resident poet of Derry, Robert Frost. Check out some of the great antique photographs of the old Winter Festival hanging at the Derry History Museum, especially the old fashioned beauty contests that used to be a big part of the weekend celebration!

This year the festival takes place February 12 and 13, 2011 in locations all over Derry. From sledding and skating at the Alexander Carr Park to an ice fishing derby on Beaver Lake be prepared to put on your mittens and have fun! If you have never cross country skied or snow shoed, Benson’s Hardware will be providing free equipment at Hoodkroft Golf course, so you have no excuse, and from 2-4 PM you can see the dog sledding demonstrations on the snow covered golf course, too.

The chilly air will make you hungry. On Saturday you can partake of a free spaghetti lunch for senior citizens at the Hood Middle School, or the big fundraiser “Frost Festival Ball” at the Promises to Keep restaurant (this is the only event that costs money $30). There will be a chili cookoff at Galien’s Beach.

Pocket Park on Broadway will show five ice sculptures. A shuttle bus will run between Hoodkroft Golf course and Galien’s beach at Beaver Lake so you won’t miss any of the action. If you need to warm up, there will be a bonfire at the Alexander Carr Park, and indoor shows at Veterans Hall on Broadway.

Don’t forget to bring a few cans to donate to the First Baptist Food Pantry. Collection boxes will be placed at all the areas where events are taking place. Check with the Derry Parks and Recreation for updates on the schedule since many events are weather dependent 603-432-6136.

http://www.derry.nh.us/Pages/DerryNH_Recreation/specialevents/index

Weather permitting, the abridged schedule of events for Frost Festival 2011 is:

[UPDATE 10 FEB 2011- all event at Gallien's Beach are cancelled and the chili cookoff has been moved to Alexander-Carr Park. The ice is unsafe on Beaver Lake. Too much snow.]

Feb. 11: Free spaghetti supper and entertainment for senior citizens at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School cafeteria. 5 p.m. Sponsored by Derry Village Rotary. Call 432-6136 to register.

Feb. 12-13: Snowboard competition at Alexander-Carr Park. Free registration at 9 a.m. Competition both days is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Finals will be held Feb. 13. There are boys and girls divisions by age, from 7 to 18. All participants must wear a helmet. Bonfire at noon. Arts, crafts and face painting at 1 p.m. Frost Fest King and Queen registration and crowing Feb. 13 by Miss Derry at 2 p.m.

Feb. 11: Family Performance Showcase from noon to 3 p.m. at Veterans Hall, featuring Let’s Play Music; Bob McLaughlin’s Magic for All Occasions; and Wildlife Encounters.

Feb. 12: Noon to 4 p.m. Snowmobile rides and demos at Hoodkroft Golf Course, sponsored by Derry Pathfinders Snowmobile Club. Also crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing. All equipment provided free of charge by Benson’s Ski & Sport. Sled dog demonstration from 2 to 4 p.m. by Pam Lacombe-Connell and her dog team.

Feb. 12: At Galien’s Beach, noon to 3 p.m.: Ice fishing clinic and chili contest, with sampling, sponsored by the Beaver Lake Association (donations welcome). Open ice hockey with the Pinkerton Academy ice hockey team and skating (bring your own skates/sticks/helmets).

Feb. 12: Ice sculpting at Pocket Park on West Broadway, across from the old Depot Steakhouse, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. by Ice Breakers of Manchester.

Feb. 12: Puttin’ Families First Indoor Mini Golf sponsored by The Upper Room at Barka Elementary School, 21 Eastgate Road. Registration forms are online at www.urteachers.org, and includes 9 holes of mini golf, raffles, ice cream sundae bar, games, DJ entertainment and T-shirts for those who preregister by Feb. 1.