Embrace the Winter: New festival coming to Clinton and Fulton Feb. 2-4
Jan. 22—Do you want to build a snowman? Or catch a flag out in the canyon?
That describes two of the more than 50 events and activities planned for the new three-day Embrace The Winter community and fine arts festival coming up Feb. 2-4. They will be spread throughout Fulton, Illinois, and Clinton and Camanche, according to a news release from organizers.
A continually updated list of confirmed events is available on Facebook at facebook.com/EmbraceTheWinterFestival.
"We will have something for every age, stage and walk of life," said Grow Clinton Director of Placemaking and Tourism Lesley Webster, who promotes tourism for both Clinton and Fulton. From family friendly snowman building, to a student art show, to an age 21+ game of extreme Capture The Flag, the variety of events is designed to appeal to everyone.
The Feb. 2-4 festival was intentionally scheduled the same weekend as Clinton Community College's 4 mile run called B-rry Scurry.
"It is the 43rd anniversary of B-rry Scurry, and we know that they run no matter the weather, so it seemed like a good fit to build activities around this race," said Webster.
The festival begins Friday night with two main events. "Friday Night Lights" will bring bonfires to the downtown areas, with fire rings located along Fulton's 4th Street and Clinton's historic downtown on 5th Avenue South as well as Main Street in the Lyon's Neighborhood. Each location will be hosted by a local church or non-profit agency that is providing and maintaining the fire.
"I believe these groups are the lights of our community, and this is an opportunity for them to literally bring light and warmth," said Webster.
Organizations that would like to host a fire ring can contact Webster to sign up for one. The bonfires will be available from 4:30-6:30 p.m. that evening, with local stores encouraged to stay open late.
Immediately following that, everyone is invited to gather at the riverfront for the 7 p.m."Community Glow." Luminaries will line the riverfront sidewalks in Fulton's windmill district and in the area of Clinton's Sawmill Museum on the north end. Attendees are asked to bring glow sticks to light on a given signal, and then both communities can celebrate with each other across the river. The tourism department of the Grow Clinton offices has applied to set an official World Record with this event, eventually.
"Unfortunately, the turn around time for Guiness World Record paperwork is longer than expected, so this year will just be practice," said Matt Parbs, vice president of Grow Clinton. "But that's great because we can figure out the details so that we're ready for the official record attempt next year."
The first 1,500 attendees at each location will receive a free glow stick to use for this gathering.
Saturday's key events include the 43rd annual B-rry Scurry at noon. This event raises funds for Clinton Community College's Paul B. Sharer Foundation to provide scholarships. The race after-party will occur at Legend's Sports Bar and Grill in Clinton.
Also on Saturday, the Mississippi River Eco-Tourism Center located in Camanche, Iowa, will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and more.
At the DeImmigrant Windmill in Fulton, the millers will host sledding, hot chocolate and tours of the first floor of the windmill.
People will be invited to build snowmen on the properties of the local public library branches. (Saturday is also National Bring Your Child To the Library Day.)
All of these snow activities are free to participate in.
Another Saturday hot-spot will be the Eagle Point Lodge in Clinton. Free entrance to the lodge will allow you to enjoy a student Art Show, live music from local groups, and the opportunity to view the Clinton County Walk of Fame.
Students who would like to participate in the art show must get an art instructor or school teacher to register them, but there is no cost to do so. Details can be found at facebook.com/events/380925657851585.
Saturday night's big event will be an age 21 and up game of "Ultra Mega Capture The Flag," played in Heritage Canyon.
"It will be in the dark, in the cold, in Heritage Canyon, and it's going to be awesome," said Webster. "I grew up playing this game at summer camp and I think adding these extreme conditions is the perfect way to bring the game back for all those Gen X and Millennials out there who remember it from their childhood."
She added that people who have never played it are welcome too, and details on both the game and registering for it can be found on the Facebook event page. CrossFit Scorch is helping to sponsor the event by providing team coaches who will help each group develop strategy and stay safe. A party bus shuttle will be available that evening with stops at Wild Rose Casino and Hotel, Legends Bar and Grill, and Heritage Canyon.
Sunday's events will include multiple sports events with details continuously updated on the Facebook event.
"I am working with Tanner from Rival's Sports to put together a sports tournament of some type," said Webster, "and Parks & Rec is looking at what they can host in their facilities."
The entire community is also invited to bring bicycles out for a Slip & Slide Bike Ride, meeting at the Jensen Oil & Bicycle Station at noon.
"This is the perfect opportunity to try out all the crazy things you never try on your bike," Parbs said. "I'll be out there with my tricycle too!"
Sunday evening will conclude with a community-wide Candlelight Memorial Service. Details on that location are still being worked out and will be available online.
To get signed up as a fire ring host or to add your event to the promotion list, contact Lesley Webster at lwebster@growclinton.com or fulton.tourism@cityoffulton.us. Promotional materials may be picked up at Grow Clinton offices located at 721 S 2nd Street in Clinton.
