Poway’s 12th annual Winter Festival brings some magic to the season with opportunities for sledding down a snow hill, skating at an ice rink and roasting marshmallows around a campfire on Friday, Jan. 9 and Saturday, Jan. 10
The winter wonderland is open to the public and most of the activities are free, said Carrie Sanchez, the city’s recreation area manager who helps organize the event at Poway Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Drive.
“It’s a super fun event and we have a great time,” Sanchez said. “People love it.”
The festival expanded last year with the addition of winter wonderland character encounters, a half-dozen bounce houses and a light walk with tunnels of lights and inflatables, Sanchez said. The larger area for the event made it seem less crowded, she added.
“People were complimentary about the expanded layout and activities,” she said.
Criselda Yee
Ice skaters could take a twirl around an ice-skating rink at Winter Festival. (Criselda Yee)
The winter wonderland characters will be available for photos and to greet guests in the Mickey Cafagna Community Center’s Sycamore Hall. Nearby in the community center’s Oak Hall will be arts and crafts activities.
Returning this year will be food vendors, a photo booth and approximately every hour snow will be falling to set the frosty scene. Fees are charged for pony rides, face painting and food from vendors, but the ice skates at the rink and sleds at snow hill are complimentary loans.
Hours for public attendance are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday. The park activities will be reserved for the special needs community from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
“An hour before the main event we will offer an hour for the special needs community to get a wristband and enjoy the event without the noise, crowds and lines,” Sanchez said. “It’s one of our favorite parts of the event.”
In addition to parking availability at Poway Community Park, guests can park at the Boys & Girls Club at 12988 Bowron Road, and at Poway City Hall at 13325 Civic Center Drive.
For more information, call 858-668-4671.