| Newton MA News and Politics BlogNewton is throwing a party this weekend and you’re invited. 

Sat Feb 12: 5:30 – 8 PM – WinterFest will kick off Saturday evening at the Hyde Playground on Lincoln St in Newton Highlands with an outdoor Soup Social and Concert

Enjoy delicious free soup from a selection of Newton resturants (O’Hara’s Food & Spirits, Lincoln Street Kitchen, Otake, Grape Leaf, Dining Car, Buttonwood and Dunn Gaherin’s) and served by several Newton notables – Mayor Fuller, Congressman Jake Auchincloss and members of the Newton City Council. 

 
From 6:00-7:30 pm keep warm by dancing to live music performances by The Porch Rockers preceded by Newton North High School Melocotones at the Hyde Bandstand. More fun includes a special appearance by Olaf from Frozen, giant puppets and the WinterFEST Moose mascot, outdoor games, and Cacao’s hot chocolate and treats. 
 
Sun Feb 13, 10 – 11 AM – WinterFest WinterWalk at Cold Spring Park
Join Barbara Bates of Newton Conservators for a family friendly, dog friendly winter walk around Cold Spring Park’s 1.5 mile trail. Barbara will discuss “The Nature of Cold Spring Park”. Learn about the plants, birds, animals & tracks you might see.
Hot chocolate & cookies will warm you when finished. Park in the Beacon Street main lot and proceed around toward the left at the trail entrance near the sports fields.  Special appearance by Olaf from Frozen.
 
Sun Feb 13, noon – 5 PM – WinterFest on the Village Green in Newton Centre
Noon-5:00PM WinterFEST Pop Up Market
1:00 – 3:00 PM  Live ice sculpting demonstration by Images in Ice.
2:30 – 3:00 PM  Improv Dancers Winter Wish Trio.
3:00 – 4:00 PM  Boston College Acapella Group The Acoustics.
Bring the family and join the fun from Noon – 5:00 PM on the village green. Come by and enjoy festive lights, ice sculptures, music and dance performances, games, puppets, costumed characters and more.
 
Come see a 5 ft polar bear come to life at the live ice sculpture demonstration and take pictures with ice sculptures of Valentine’s Day hearts, adorable ice penguins and an ice throne. A WinterFest would not be complete without complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, plus more surprises throughout the afternoon.
Stroll along the Winter Pop Market of crafts and edible treats to provide gifts and goodies to take home.
 
To make shopping local even easier, we have partnered with All Over Newton to shop at participating businesses online at their LoveFEST webpage. You can pick up your gifts at WinterFEST just in time for Valentine’s Day.
 
Interested in volunteering at WinterFEST? There are still opportunities available to help make this first WinterFEST a fabulous event for our city! Sign up here
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor The Village Bank, and our Event Sponsors & WinterFEST Partners listed on our event page! http://newtoncommunitypride.org/winterfest/