Forecasters are calling for at least six inches of snow on Friday and clearing in time for Amherst Winter Fest, which begins at 1 p.m.
Susan and Barry Roberts, owners of Muddy Brook Farm in Amherst, had two teams of horses giving rides at the 2011 Amherst Winter Fest held at the Cherry Hill Golf Course Saturday. The farm will be back giving rides again Saturday at the sixth annual festival.
AMHERST — While a winter storm watch might be causing moans and groans by some, for the organizers of the sixth annual Winter Fest scheduled Saturday at the Cherry Hill Golf Course, the prognostication is music to their ears.
Forecasters are calling for at least six inches of snow on Friday and clearing in time for the festival, which begins at 1 p.m.
“We’re very excited, it’s a very good problem to have,” said Claudia Pazmany, president of the Amherst Friends of Recreation. The Friends, along with Amherst Leisure Services and Supplemental Education, are putting on the festival, aided by more than a dozen sponsors and more than 150 volunteers.
The snow “is coming at great time. We’re psyched,” said Barbara Bilz, Amherst Leisure Services assistant director.
Bilz said organizers and volunteers had been making enough snow for sledding and the classic cardboard sled race, but the new flakes will give cover for the cross-country ski demonstration and lesson, and they’ll be able to groom the trails.
The event features sledding, entertainment on the Peter Pan Futurliner and wagon rides, along with the annual chili tasting contest and a "classic cardboard sled race."
The festival is capped with fireworks at 6 p.m. Amherst Regional High School will offer a ski lesson and demonstration at 3 p.m. The cardboard sled race will be held at 4:15, with a cider doughnut-eating contest scheduled at 5 p.m. Atkins Farms Country Market will sell burgers and other snacks.
This year the event includes a Best in Snow Dog Show at 3:15 p.m. Pazmany said organizers wanted to add something new to the later afternoon. “The show is a fun twist for our family friends and members.”
She said dogs were always welcome, but now they can compete in categories such as the dog with the most mysterious heritage, the most irresistible ears or the best bite (smile).
There will be Zumbafest at 5 p.m., led by a certified Zumba instructor, Bilz said.
The festival has a new mascot – Flaky – and he will be joined by the Very Hungry Caterpillar form the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.
Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for kids, and $20 for a family of three or more, the same as it has been, Bilz said.
“Kids are sort of sled-deprived. This is a great opportunity to bring the kids out for sledding all day and enjoying winter,” she said.