Volunteers (left to right) Kisha Zullo, Lainey Wood and Holly Allen pose with bumble before the start time of 2022’s WinterFest.
Reminder Publishing file photos
EASTHAMPTON — The 12th annual Easthampton WinterFest is underway as of the start of the new year, culminating with a day filled with fun in the city on Saturday, Feb. 8.
The stretch of events is the biggest fundraiser for the Friends of Nashawannuck Pond nonprofit each year, who host the event alongside the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee and proceeds go to support the ongoing health of the pond.
“There are a lot of new residents or people that come into the town because it’s very vibrant now and they look at it and think, ‘what’s the problem [with the health of the pond]?’ It’s not a problem because it is constantly, constantly monitored and maintained,” said Beth Tiffany, treasurer for the Friends of the Nashawannuck Pond and a member of the pond’s steering committee.
The funds raised through WinterFest sponsorship, merchandise sales, donations and other fundraisers have paid for annual herbicide treatment for invasive Eurasian Milfoil. Ongoing projects include monitoring and treating invasive species and cyanobacteria. These efforts have helped maintain the pond and preserve it from its once “swampy” status decades ago.
“The herbicide treatment is to control invasives, too many invasives will choke the pond and they are not native,” explained Tiffany. “The treatment also controls too many native plants that if left unchecked, the pond would eventually fill in as it was swampy back in 1987 when the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee was formed to maintain the pond.”
The Steering Committee and Friends of Nashawannuck Pond are currently reviewing a concept plan for one shoreline stabilization access wall that was put in place in 2001 to prevent erosion.
“The mission of the Friends of Nashawannuck Pond is to financially support the maintenance required. The Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee’s mission is to evaluate the maintenance of the pond and advise the city as to what should be done,” said Tiffany.
The festivities are already underway for WinterFest as of Jan. 1 with online events and contests. These include the Nashawannuck Pond photo contest, the snowflake making contest, pond trivia and the Mt. Tom ice cream flavor contest. These events were started during the coronavirus pandemic when a regular gathering for WinterFest could not happen.
“It evolved again since COVID, when we weren’t allowed to gather. So, remote activities were added, like the photo contest that is very popular, online pond trivia and snowflake making for all ages,” said Tiffany. “We now have over 40 activities spanning over four weeks of family filled fun.”
All contest winners for these online events and other events during WinterFest will receive gift cards or in kind gifts donated by local businesses.
Headlining this stretch of events is the Feb. 8 date where WinterFest comes alive at 50 Payson Ave. with a polar plunge, horse drawn carriage rides and ice harvesting. At Keystone Mill, families will enjoy a vendor and craft fair, magician, puppeteer, Family Jungle Entertainment, food and music.
The day will also feature a Meet and Greet with Gino the Easthampton Police Department K-9, Easthampton Library, Valley Art Supplies and Easthampton Feed will be joining the day with a new event, “Cuddle a Cow.”
“[The community has] a great time with family and friends. People come from out of town and are very excited,” Tiffany said about the day of celebrations capping off WinterFest.
Other events during WinterFest include Abandoned Building Brewery hosting The 1 Man Party trivia and DJ on Saturday, Feb. 1; a night of Bingo on Thursday, Feb. 6; the FONP Chili Tasting on Friday, Feb. 7 and WinterFest After Dark with live music on Saturday, Feb. 8.
Tiffany explained she and other members of the group will be available at Keystone Mill on Feb. 8 with an education and merchandise table and are eager to speak with people about the pond.
“This is the most important fundraiser of the year for the maintenance of the pond, not just a celebration of winter,” Tiffany added.
For up-to-date listings and more information on this year’s WinterFest virtual and in person events visit nashawannuckpond.org/winterfest. Volunteers are needed and can sign up at signup.com/go/WUqQfqx. All outdoor events are weather permitting and may be canceled without notice.
