Planning continues for annual Hartford event

  • 2020-10-30
Organizers have put a popular annual event on the schedule in Hartford, in the hopes they will be able to open as planned.

This is the 11th year for Winterfest Hartford, which, among other activities, sets up an ice rink in Bushnell Park. The park, which was designed and built by Jacob Weidenmann at the behest of Reverend Horace Bushnell, opened in 1868. It covers 37 acres and is the first park in the country to be paid for by the public via popular vote.

Ice skating in the park was a tradition for many years, and was revived in 2010. The festival is free, as are the ice skating lessons, which are offered on December and January Saturdays. Santa Claus often drops by for photo ops.

The event is funded by donations, and the ongoing health crisis has slowed the fundraising effort, but organizers are hoping they will be able to raise the funds necessary to go ahead this year as planned. If they are successful, they will follow health protocols to make sure everyone is safe and protected.

Winterfest is scheduled to open November 27. The rink is open every day from 11:00 am until 8:00 pm, except on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's Day, when the hours are shortened to 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm. Banner printing can provide festive decorations in multiples for outdoor events like this.