Over 50 ice sculptures to fill Stroudsburg for Winterfest
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A wintertime classic returns for another year in the Poconos as the Stroudsburg community gets ready for ‘Winterfest.’
Icicles, a physical sign of frigid temperatures. A group of them hangs in Stroudsburg’s courthouse square Thursday. But come Saturday, they won’t be alone as downtown will welcome thousands for Winterfest.
Brianna Strunk is one of the co-organizers, explaining how the event was started to draw people to the area during the wintertime to help local shops like Tolino Vineyards.
“This year’s theme is children’s storytime. We are going to have more than 50 ice sculptures within that theme spread around downtown Stroudsburg. Not just main street, but side streets as well.”
Spreading love all across NEPA
Bartender Marie Felten says it’s a great way to show off what the area has to offer.
“I think Stroudsburg, we pride ourselves in seeing a tightknit community and that we’re open to new people coming and visiting, taking advantage of all the mom and pop places, the wineries, the restaurants.”
Along with businesses, churches like Christ Episcopal on North Seventh Street are taking part in the fun.
Aimed with its goal to improve literacy in the area – members will be giving away hundreds of donated books.
Father Bruce Gowe says in addition to learning, the event helps everyone struggling with the winter blues.
“It’s dark, it’s cold, and you’re stuck inside. This is an opportunity to come out, although it may be chilly, to see the wonderful community, the ice sculptures, and so forth to kind of cheer you up in between those holidays that we have.”
Kicking off at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, those planning to attend should bundle up.
“This Saturday we’re expected to have highs in the 30s which should be good conditions for ice sculptures. Of course, you never know what’s going to happen when planning a Winterfest event months in advance,” says Strunk.
Stroudsburg’s Winterfest on Saturday will run from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. but organizers say lights are installed into the ice sculptures so you can still enjoy them later into the evening.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
