By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
This weekend provided the first blast of winter weather, but planning for next February’s celebration of the season BG Winterfest is already well underway.
Wendy Chambers, director the Bowling Green Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the committee is looking to improve the event, and that takes advanced planning, as well as fresh branding.
Winterfest is holding a contest for a new name and a new logo. The date for submissions is Thursday, Dec. 1.
For details visit: https://www.facebook.com/WinterfestBG/photos/a.173662663758.124178.74230638758/10154225204718759/?type=3&theater.
Contact Chambers at wendychambers@visitbgohio.org or visit the Winterfest Facebook page www.facebook.com/WinterfestBG.
“We’re stepping everything up a notch,” Chambers said. “That’s why we felt it was appropriate to do the logo and renaming contest.”
Winterfest has been presented for about a decade, and it’s still a work in progress. When it started, it was a new concept in the area, Chambers said. Now a number of similar events have sprung up. “So we said ‘let’s do something to set ourselves apart.’”
The 2017 event will have some notable expansions.
Bowling Green State University has scheduled the 50th anniversary of the ice arena so it coincides with Winterfest. That means Falcon hockey will be added as an element of Winterfest. There’ll also be high school and university alumni hockey on tap over the weekend.
And Olympic gold medal winner Scott Hamilton and Alissa Czisny are expected to return home to Bowling Green for the festivities.
Also, this year the committee wants to have more happening in the downtown. “It was the missing component,” Chambers said.
A tent with beverages and ice carving demonstrations will be set up in the Huntington parking lot at the corner of South Main and Clough streets.
As night approaches, visitors can then avail themselves of the eating and entertainment options downtown.
Businesses and organizations will have the opportunity to suggest themes for these four ice sculptures made on the Saturday of the festival. An object would be preferable to a logo for this purpose, Chambers said. Businesses and organizations can also sponsor ice sculptures that will be carved beforehand and installed in the Huntington parking lot. While some prefer the sculptures line Main Street that’s too much of a security concern, she said.
The revenue raised will go toward supporting downtown flower plantings and holiday decorations. Some related to the university will be located near the ice arena on campus, and possibly one will be installed in the atrium of the Four Corners Center.
The festival’s usual slate of events, including skating, the Frostbite Run and the chili cook off will be held in the city parks as well as some winter games.
Chambers said other features are in the works.
