Winter Festival 2013

 This year's Lambertville-New Hope WinterFestival is at the top of  my "must do" list  -  for over a week, my two favorite river towns will rollick with frolic, family fun & awesomely great food!  

It all kicks off this Saturday, Jan. 19 & runs through Sunday, Jan. 27.

Saturday, Jan. 19 --  The Winter Festival makes its entrance with the Fire & Ice Ball, 7-11 p.m. at the New Hope Boro Community Room. Tickets $20 in advance/ $25 at the door.

Thursday, Jan. 24 -- Taste of WinterFest, 7 p.m., at Lambertville Station. An evening of fine food, wine and beer. Sample the finest from local area restaurants, breweries, farms & vineyards. Tickets $40

Friday, Jan. 26 -- National Act, Pure Prairie League with special guest Craig Bickhardt, 8 p.m., Stephen J. Buck Memorial Theatre at the high school. Tickets for Country Rock at its best are $45 in advance / $50 at the door.

Saturday, Jan. 25  puts the focus on family.  It's a sure thing you'll find me at....

Tucker's Tales Puppet Theater takes the stage at St. John's auditorium (44 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ) from 10:00 a.m. - 11 a.m. and it's a sure bet that I'll be in the audience, enjoying the tales of Mr. Wolf as he recalls his encounters with those Three Little Pigs, Brer Rabbit, Little Red Riding Hood & the Billy Goats Gruff.  I've been proud to count Tom & Marianne - wondrously gifted puppeteers - among my friends for almost 30 years.  Their shows are always well-produced & filled with whimsical fun.

Ballet Time takes over after the Tuckers take their well-deserved bows, students from the Mill Ballet & select dancers from the Roxey Ballet will perform "winter" inspired pieces, working with children from the audience to choreograph a "winter" dance.  At St. John's, from 11 - 11:45 a.m.

WinterFest Spectacular Parade ~ ~ After the ballet, everyone will pirouette out to Bridge Street for the WinterFest Spectacular Parade, which starts on the other side of the river, up the hill at New Hope-Solebury High (where I took my SATS back in ancient times!), and works its way down through New Hope - fond as I am of New Hope, the New Jersey side will provide the most dramatic experience.  

GleePAC ~ ~ Once the parade passes by, it's BACK to St. John's for me, for a concert by GleePAC from 1:45 - 2:15 p.m.  If you & yours like GLEE, you'll love this concert featuring the Glee choir from Downtown Performing Arts Center, performing a variety of show stoppers.

Theatre Arts Center (TAC) ~ ~ Following GleePAC's last song, it's time for the final special performance, by the Theatre Arts Center's Kidz, Junior and Senior Performance Companies perform a Broadway medley.   (TAC offers classes in musical theatre, dance, acting & vocal performance).  

All performances at St. John's are FREE!

While all this happens inside, outside ice sculptures will be created live at Lambertville House  (11:00 a.m.), Lambertville Station (1:30 p.m.), and the New Hope Visitors Center (3:00 p.m.).  

Rotary Beef ‘n Brew event, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., at Triumph Brewery. Tickets $40.  The Rotary Club of Lambertville/New Hope will be serving up hot roast beef sandwiches, Triumph brews & live music.  Eat, dance & be merry!

Tribute to Dora Kerr ~ ~  The marquis event of the festival finds New Hope honoring one of its most outstanding citizens, Doro Kerr.  Where does the woman get the energy?  She has served on the board & as treasurer of the Free Library of New Hope & Solebury and on the Borough Police Review Committee; helped raise funds for the Michener Museum; was an early supporter of the Riverside Symphonia, New Hope Performing Arts Festival, and the New Hope Arts;  serves on the New Hope Borough Conciliation Committee; and is a staunch supporter of the Eagle Fire Company, Lambertville Rescue Squad, and Planned Parenthood of Bucks County.  Phew!  Open bar, dinner, program & silent auction - $85.

On Sunday, the focus shifts to New Hope...

Pancake Breakfast, 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. sponsored by New Hope High School Girls Soccer, at the NHS Cafeteria. Tickets $6.50 adults; $5 seniors $3.50 children 3 to 12.

River Horse Brewery Presents the 16th Annual Chili Cook-Off, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., at Memorable Affairs-Occasions in New Hope. The festival’s most popular event, this year's competition will find 13 of the area’s finest restaurants vying to be champion.  To offsetting the heat from the chilis, quaff a beer from Lambertville’s award-winning River Horse Brewery.  Sample all, then vote for your favorite.  Trophy presentations will begin promptly at 3:45. 

Weekend Festival Tours will be available at the Marshall House Museum/Perry Mansion; Lambertville-New Hope Historic Walking Tour; and take a history and nature walk along the D&R Canal.

Food Drive throughout the weekend.  Fisherman’s Mark will collect non-perishable food items at locations throughout Lambertville and New Hope.

For a complete list of events, check  http://www.winterfestival.net/schedule.html.