Submitted Photo Pictured is one of Jared Chrispel’s ice sculptures. Attend the Cassadaga Winter Festival this weekend to find out what this professional ice sculptor will create.

CASSADAGA – The Citizens for a Better Cassadaga proudly announces the Cassadaga Winter Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

The first event is the Frozen 50K beginning at 8 a.m. from the Cassadaga Fire Hall (22 Mill St). Participants can walk or run 1 lap (5K) or all the way up to 10 laps (50K)! Pre-registration fee is $13 up to $25. All proceeds go to Chautauqua County Fire Police. Registration/check in begins at 7 a.m. or go to www.coachmarkwilson.com. This event is sponsored by Wilson Endurance Sports.

A snow sculpture contest begins at 11 a.m. at Cassadaga Beach on Park Avenue. Get your team together and create a masterpiece! Judging will commence at 12:30 p.m.. Cash prizes are provided by the Cassadaga Lakes Association. Also beginning at 11 a.m. is ice sculpture pro, Jared Chrispel creating a masterpiece on the beach! Come watch him work. He plans to finish around 1 p.m.

“Fun on the Beach” begins at noon and lasts until 2 p.m. The public can hang out in Adirondack chairs around a campfire, make s’mores, play tetherball, play hockey (on the basketball court) and listen to music provided by DJ Dennis. There will be drawings for prizes. Chili and hot chocolate will be provided by Park Church.

At 1 p.m. is the ICE SCREAM Polar Dip. Be brave and go for a dip! There is a $20 entry fee and all proceeds go toward the Cassadaga Beach Program. Get your friends to sponsor you and bring even more donations in! Register the day of or go to www.coachmarkwilson.com. There will be T-shirts for dippers! The polar dip is sponsored by the Red House.

At 2 p.m., all are invited to “Sundance Farm at the Library” (18 Maple Ave.) Real live critters, story and craft! This will be fun and informative for children and adults alike. This event is sponsored by the Cassadaga Library.

The popular band, Party McFly will be playing at the Cassadaga Legion Post 1280 (228 Maple Ave.) from 7-10 p.m. They deliver a high-energy show designed to get everyone onto the dance floor and keep them there! Everyone is invited to this free event. The band is sponsored by the Village of Cassadaga, American Legion Post 1280 and the Citizens for a Better Cassadaga. Duper’s will be providing delicious food at the dance.

On Sunday, there will be sledding at the Cassadaga Country Club from 1 to 3 p.m. Bring your own sleds and brave the big hill! Cookies will be provided by the Cassadaga Library. Hot Chocolate will be provided by the Cassadaga Country Club. This is the only event that may be canceled if there is not enough snow.

Also, on Sunday is “Cross Country Skiing/Snowshoeing” which will become a hike if there is a lack of snow. Meet at Cassadaga Lakes Nature Park on 8115 – 8119 Route 60 at 2:45. There will be a guided tour beginning at 3 p.m. This tour will last from 1 to 1 ½ hours, depending if you want to do a short or long tour. Attendees must provide their own skis/snowshoes. Parking is limited, so please carpool if possible. This event is sponsored by Cassadaga Lakes Association and Chautauqua County Watershed Conservancy.

If there are any questions or if you would like to volunteer, please call 716 665-8855. You can also find Citizens for a Better Cassadaga on Facebook for updates.