Annual Cassadaga Winter Festival Breaks Records
CASSADAGA — Cassadaga knows how to beat cabin fever. The sun made a two-day appearance for the annual Cassadaga Winter Festival and attendance records were broken for every event.
On Saturday, missing the usual snowfall, 100 participants ran or walked the Frozen 50K. Some did all 10 laps around the lake, some just one lap. A new course record was set at 3 hours and 52 minutes for the full 50k by Dunkirk resident, Keith Mackowiak.
All proceeds went to Chautauqua County Fire Police.
About 175 people attended “Fun on the Beach.” A few sculptors got creative with mostly sand instead of snow and Jared Chrispell carved two ice sculptures. DJ Dennis played beach music, children played hockey, tetherball and played on the playground.
A record 32 people took part in the Ice Scream Polar Dip, with proceeds going to the Cassadaga Beach Program.
Afterward, 45 people filled the Cassadaga Library to see Sundance Farm’s hedgehogs. Children were also entertained with stories and crafts.
On Sunday, the sledding event had to be canceled due to lack of snow, but families were invited back to the beach for hockey, tetherball, and playground time. Several families took advantage of these alternate activities with full sunshine to enjoy.
Also on Sunday, 30 people hiked — rather than snowshoe or cross country ski — the Cassadaga Lakes Nature Park with two knowledgeable guides.
The Citizens for a Better Cassadaga thanked the volunteers and organizations that assisted during the festival: Wilson Endurance Sports, Chautauqua County Fire Police, Cassadaga Lakes Association, Park Church, The Red House, Chautauqua County Cold Water Rescue Team, Cassadaga Library, American Legion Post 1280, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, the Village of Cassadaga, and community volunteers.