Fish Creek’s Winter Festival Offers Wild, Quirky Fun for All

Photo by Len Villano.

Fish Creek’s Winter Festival, held Feb. 1 – 3, is a family-friendly community event for locals and visitors. The large heated tent, located in Clark Park, serves as the event center for games, music, food, good people and great times.

“Everyone’s favorite games are back by popular demand, along with some new games/activities that will only add the quirky fun. Two new events that we are excited about are the Stumpf Fiddle Jam and the Snow Suit Fashion Show,” states FCCA Board President Bob Spielman.

Some may know it as a stumpf fiddle, while others may know it as a polka cello, or a pogo cello, a bumbass, or a hum strum. This homemade folk instrument in the percussion department is typically comprised of household objects and is operated by thrusting it on the ground while hitting other parts with a drumstick.

At 3 pm on Saturday, the Stumpf Fiddle Jam will give anyone possessing such an instrument the chance to join the jam. Extra hum strums will be on hand for beginners.

Other features on Sat. include the human foosball tournament, parade, snowshoe dance and fireworks.

The winter festival parade is short, fun and open to everyone. The parade begins at the Fish Creek Town Center and runs down Main Street. All those interested should show up at the parking lot behind the Post Office/ Library around 10:10 am.

Proud chili cooks will be battling for bragging rights and cash prizes at the annual Chili Cook-off on Saturday. $150, $100, and $50 will be awarded to first, second, and third places, respectively, with a gift package going to the People’s Choice Award.

All interested participants, professional and amateur, are invited to participate by bringing one crock-pot of their beloved and prepared chili to the tent at Clark Park between 10:30-11am.

Several experienced judges will be tasting at noon with an awards presentation around 12:30/12:45pm. An all-you-care-to-sample bowl will be available to all for a $5 suggested donation.

Photo by Len Villano.

On Feb. 3, the fourth annual Fish Creek Fruit Loop Run will be held at 10:30 am. Touted as a 1/53rd of a marathon, this scenic half-mile trek through downtown Fish Creek will begin and end at the tent in Clark Park. A post-race gathering will be held inside the tent, complete with a breakfast of Fruit Loops and the heralded Olympic-style awards ceremony.

Costumes are highly encouraged in this fun run and participants are encouraged to show up 15 minutes prior to the start.

For a full schedule of events and games visit http://www.VisitFishCreek.com.