BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Despite a lack of snow, winter festivals will still go on across our area this weekend.
There have been some changes because of the bare ground. Though event organizers remain upbeat that thousands of people will come out.
Without any natural snow, crews for the Burlington Winter Festival had to truck in ice shavings from a skating rink for the snow carving competition.
"We thought for a day or so we were just going to have to cancel the competition this year. So we were really glad they were able to pull the blocks together," says Nancy Bove, event organizer.
Bove says the Saturday event will include activities along the waterfront and downtown.
As part of the festival, Winter Lights just kicked off on the Church Street Marketplace. There are thousands of lights through the trees, canopies, and spheres. And you can check them out all the way until April.
In Colchester, students were practicing for a murder mystery dinner theatre.
It's part of the Colchester Winter Carnival this weekend, which also had to make some weather related changes.
"We had to transition sleigh rides into hay rides due to the lack of snow," says Glen Cuttitta, Colchester Parks & Recreation director.
Cuttitta says they've gotten used to unpredictable weather after 30-years of the popular carnival.
"It has a little bit of everything for everybody," says Cuttitta.
Winter Festivals Information:
Burlington
Colchester
Island Pond
Montpelier
Rutland
Saranac Lake
Waterbury Center
