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Chardon WinterFest – Chardon, Ohio – My Experience

This post documents my experience on January 19, 2013.

Along with maple syrup…

…the city of Chardon is known for its production of snow.

Located at the center of the snow belt, Chardon receives more than 100 inches of snow per winter with a record of 161 inches in the winter of 1959/60.

This makes it the snowiest city in Ohio and the perfect location for a WinterFest.

But, alas, I never seem to attend winter festivals when the weather is right for the winter activities…

…so, even if there was plenty of snow activities planned

…the warm weather made the possibilities rather limited this year…

…no matter how hard the Maple Leaf pleaded.

Therefore, let me show you what was there and I’ll let you imagine the snow angels, snow mazes, and snowmobile rides for future festivals.

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Located at the city square…

…snowmen were positioned throughout the area…

…so that festival goers could play a scavenger hunt of sorts to potentially win prizes that included gift cards and – of course – maple syrup.

And those weren’t the only prizes prizes available at the festival…

…thanks to the  Ohio State Snowmobile Association’s snowmobile raffle…

…and two raffles found inside the Comfort Station…

…that benefited Women Safe and the community.

Also inside the Comfort Station, festival goers could enjoy a warm fire…

…baked goods and popcorn…

…while hot dogs were available outside…

…as well as a pancake breakfast at the Pilgrim Christian Church (before 11).

Although all the scheduled activities weren’t available due to a lack of snow, there was still plenty to do…

…including carriage rides…

…ice-sculpting presentations (Elegant Ice Creations)…

…fire pit socializing…

…corn hole games…

…and ice games.

Even with the warmer temperatures, the festival managed to put some icey twists to games like miniature golf, bowling…

…and this game where you slid a wooden snake along the track.

But, if I had a favorite part of the festival…

…it would be the dog sled team (The Siberian Husky Club of Greater Cleveland)…

…where the dogs received many friendly pets from festival goers…

…and the dogs weren’t afraid to show their appreciation.