By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Feeling the winter doldrums? Going stir crazy cooped up inside?
The countdown has begun for Bowling Green’s Winterfest return on Feb. 28. Put on your running shoes, get ready to taste test crockpots of steaming chili, take a crisp carriage ride around City Park, then warm up inside with the music of four bands.
The city’s last Winterfest was held in 2020 – just as the pandemic was about to shut down such activities.
It’s returned – thanks to popular demand, according to Kristin Otley, director of the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department.
“A lot of people in the community kept asking about it, and missed it,” Otley said.
It’s right about now when the everyday cold and snow are becoming less picturesque and more of a pain.
“It’s the winter doldrums. This will give them something fun to do,” she said.
The first winter celebrations in Bowling Green started small, and eventually avalanched into something difficult to manage, Otley said. It was held over multiple days, taking place in multiple locations. So for its return act, the Winterfest committee, Downtown BG, and BG Parks and Recreation examined the most popular parts of the event.
“We all kind of agreed to get it up and going on one day in one spot,” she said. “We wanted to focus on the strengths of what was there.”
So on Saturday, Feb. 28, BG Winterfest will pack “un-brrr-evible” activities for young and old at City Park – with some events inside the Veterans Building, and others outside.
“It has a little something for everybody,” Otley said.
The event begins at 9:30 a.m. and keeps rolling until 11 p.m.
Event lineup
Morning | 9:30 a.m.
- Frost Bite Fun Run presented by Bowling Green Parks and Recreation, free and family-friendly
Daytime | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Ice carving demonstrations by Ice Creations
- Children’s activities
- Polar Bear inflatable slide
- Snow Man bounce house
- Arts & crafts provided by All About the Kids Learning Center
- Winter-themed story time provided by Wood County District Public Library
- Enjoy “The Snow Thief” by Alice Hemming with songs and movement for kids at 1 p.m.
- Box hockey and yard games provided by Bowling Green Parks and Recreation
- Chili Cookoff presented by the American Association of University Women at 11 a.m., located in the atrium of the Veterans Building. AAUW will accept donations for the entrance fee.
- Bake sale presented by the Women’s Club of BG at 11 a.m., with proceeds going toward the Women’s Club of BG Scholarships
- Alcohol sales begin at 11 a.m.
- Live music
- Thomas Wheeler (guitar)
- Sandy Coursey (piano)
- Carriage Rides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- 50/50 drawing presented by the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Foundation at 2 p.m.
Evening | 4-11 p.m.
- Live Music
- 4:15-5:30 p.m. | Tasty Bits
- 6-7:30 p.m. | CODA
- 8-9:30 p.m. Leadfoot Granny
- 10-11 p.m. | The Stan Shady Show
- Carriage Rides from 5-7 p.m.
- Event transitions to age 21 and up only at 8 p.m.
- 50/50 drawing presented by the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Foundation at 10 p.m.
Food and Drink
Local food trucks will serve at City Park, and beer and wine will be available for purchase throughout the event.
Cans collected at the event will be recycled at Bates Recycling, benefiting the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce’s “BG Boom” fireworks.
Food Trucks
- Daytime
- Bucking Barista
- Detroit Mini Donuts
- Evening
- Tamale Guy
- Hot Dog Hut
Ticket information
$10 for the evening
Evening ticket sales will benefit the Bowling Green Parks & Recreation Foundation and Winterfest.
Ticket sales for the chili cookoff will benefit the American Association of University Women of Bowling Green’s scholarship fund. Proceeds from the bake sale will benefit the Women’s Club of Bowling Green.
