Now in its 55th year, the Cooperstown Winter Carnival blows back into our community on the cold, wintery winds that February brings year in and year out. Luckily, the volunteer-based Winter Carnival Committee has plans to warm the spirits of carnival goers with both fresh and familiar offerings throughout the duration of this year’s event.
After what felt like an eternity, albeit just two years of dormancy, the Winter Carnival returns during the first week of February. Kicking off on Thursday evening, February 2 with hot chocolate-fueled fireworks over a lakeside viewing party at The Otesaga Resort Hotel—and continuing until Sunday, February 5 with “Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause”—there is plenty fun and enjoyment to be had by all who attend. The schedule includes such fan-favorites as “The Bob Smullens 5K/10K Race” and the “Lions Club Pancake Breakfast,” as well as first-time additions “Meet Your Local Heroes” and “Open Pickleball Play.”
New York State communities are seeking action from Governor Kathy Hochul to allow them to opt-out of the newly adopted Holiday Deer Hunt, in order to ensure safe outdoor access to multiple user groups during the Christmas holiday break.
The state legislature acted by passing Senate Bill S6510 and Assembly Bill A07785, giving counties the ability to prohibit hunting during a seven-day special late bow, special long bow and muzzle loader season in the state’s Southern Zone. S6510/A07785 allows each county to decide whether to participate in the new deer hunting season—from December 26 through January 1, opened for the first time in 2021—in order to maximize outdoor recreational access for New Yorkers during this time.
While deer season is open, other user groups avoid disturbing hunters and the deer for both tradition and safety’s sake.
SUNDAY PROGRAM – 3 p.m. Presenting ‘2020: Science, Policy, & Capital Converge on Climate Change – What Will Happen?’ talk with Paula DiPerna. Cooperstown Village Library. 607-547-8344 or visit www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
BRIDAL EXPO – Noon. Engaged couples network with providers of catering, flowers, photography, more to make a perfect wedding. Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. 607-431-2080 or visit foothillspac.org
TUBING – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Have fun this winter. Slide down a hillside on a tube. Tubes provided. Cost, $5/person. Warming hut with hot cocoa, snacks available for sale. Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 Co. Rt. 31, Cooperstown. 607-547-8662 or visit www.facebook.com/GlimmerglassStatePark/
Vassil Dubbe, right, watches after throwing his snow snake while Roger Longtoe, an Abenaki tribe member from Vermont, beats a drum and shouts “Let’s go, snake!” in the Abenaki language. The Winter Fun event, held this afternoon at SUNY Oneonta’s College Camp featured, among other activities, this “snow snake throw,” a game invented by the Abenaki Native American tribe where participants throw a smooth, pointed wooden pole through a narrow slide made in the snow and compete to see whose will go the farthest. The poles are called snow snakes” because they undulate like snakes as they slide. (Jennifer Hill/AllOTSEGO.c0m)
WINTER FUN – Noon-4 p.m. Horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing, sledding and more. Free. SUNY College Camp, East Street, Oneonta. Info, (607) 436-3455.
GRILLED CHEESE DINNER – 5-8 p.m. Enjoy an evening of comfort food utilizing local cheeses prepared by local chefs. Also with 4 seasonal soups, beer, wine, cider, dessert, and live music. Benefits Cooperstown Farmers Market. Tickets adult $25, Child $15. under 6 free.Cooperstown Farmers market, 101 Main St. in Pioneer Alley, Cooperstown. Info, www.otsego2000.org
RECEPTION – 1-3 p.m. Celebrating the Oneonta Trolley Line exhibit. Free and open to the public. Greater Oneonta Historical Society, 183 Main St., Oneonta. Info, www.oneontahistory.org/upcomingevents.htm#More
WINTER CONCERT – 3-5 p.m. The Little Delaware Youth Ensemble perform under the direction of Uli Speth. Anderson Theater, Hartwick College, Oneonta. Info, www.ldye.org
MURAL PAINTING – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Community event to create murals for Auditorium of the Fenimore Art Musuem. Event is free and open to the public. Fenimore Art Musuem, 5798 NY-80, Cooperstown. Info, www.fenimoreartmuseum.org
