Clarendon, PA — Chapman State Park’s annual Winter Fest has been postponed due to forecasted frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chills.
The festival had been scheduled for February, 7th, but was tentatively rescheduled for Sunday, February 15th from 10:00AM until dusk.
This year marks the first time the event will be hosted by the newly formed nonprofit group, Friends of Chapman State Park, after being previously organized by the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry.
Park officials said several of the festival’s most popular attractions, including the Salvation Army’s Polar Bear Plunge and horse-drawn carriage rides were deemed unsafe to hold in the extreme weather conditions.
“This postponement was a joint decision between the park and all of our sponsors. With the projected forecast and extreme cold weather advisories, we had to put public safety first and postpone the event,” said Chapman State Park Manager Michael Plish. “When the wind chills get down into the negative teens and twenties, certain events, like the Polar Bear Plunge, can become very dangerous very quickly. We are all still very excited to hold the festival here and are looking forward to seeing the community come out and celebrate.”
Despite the delay, organizers say the rescheduled festival will still feature a full slate of winter activities on February 15th. Those include a chili cook-off, ice fishing demonstrations, Warren Cycle Shop’s fat tire bike ride, sledding, live music, food, bonfires and s’mores, the Polar Bear Plunge, and horse-drawn carriage rides. The event will begin at 10:00AM and will run until dusk.
Local residents say they are still looking forward to the event.
“This will be my fourth year here, and I wouldn’t miss it. It’s going to be great,” said Warren County resident John Mercer. “My wife will probably ski or snowshoe, and I’ll probably bring my snowshoes too. It’s such a great time and really a best-kept secret, but everybody who knows is going to be coming up and we will have a grand old time.”
Organizers say they are hopeful for improved conditions and a safe return of all activities later this month.
For more information on Chapman State Park’s Winter Fest, visit their social media page, here