Weather does not hinder Winterfest

ALBERTON – The children of Alberton went wild in a display of organized chaos Saturday, as they enjoyed the first ever winter festival at the Alberton Community Center.

The festival was put on by the Promoting Excellence in Alberton-area Kids Foundation as a way to get the community’s kids outdoors together. The new organization wants to set up events to bring the community closer together and provide ways for kids to get together to have fun.

“I think it’s good for a community to support their kids,” said Laura Acker, one of the event’s organizers.

Inside the community center was cramped by tables for the various activities available. The center of the room held a pair of tables where face painters worked. Along one wall were craft tables where kids could decorate paper snowmen.

Opposite those tables was a set of looms where wool was made while a group knitted a short distance away. There was also a table where handmade knitted items were sold. The final door housed the kitchen where a bake sale was under way.

The space was very close as everyone maneuvered around tables, chairs and other people to get around the room. While there was enough room to watch or participate in an activity, traffic jams formed easily as the small spaces between tables was easily blocked.

There were also activities in the community center’s yard, which allowed relief from the close quarters inside and gave the kids room to burn off excess energy. There was a small hitch, which cropped up with the outdoor activities.

Originally, a series of winter activities based around snow and ice were planned. But when there was no snow on the ground and the weather presented a fairly pleasant day, the plans were changed.

“We turned it into spring activities,” said Acker. “Our activities now involve beanbags, soccer balls and hula-hoops. It’s a bummer there’s no snow but I won’t let the weather get me down.”

One aspect of the winter festivities was salvaged. Out away from everything, a fire pit was available for everyone to keep warm. Hot dogs and marshmallows were also available for people to cook. The pint-sized pyros almost seemed more interested in setting the marshmallows on fire than eating them.

Later in the evening, everyone went inside for a potluck dinner. Despite how the kids stuffed themselves on hotdogs and marshmallows, they continued to fill their plates. The potluck presented a choice of spaghetti, pasta salad, clam chowder, chili and a variety of other dishes.

At dinner, a presentation was made on a scout organization looking to establish an Alberton chapter by Frank McKinney, the possible leader of the new chapter. According to Acker, there had been some interest expressed in a scouting group for the area, which would present outdoor activities and teach outdoor survival skills.

“We sent out a survey in December, to students and members of the community,” said Acker. “A lot of the kids and parents want to see more outdoor activities such as hiking, camping [and] fishing.”

McKinney’s presentation was for the Baden-Powell Service Association, a co-ed group of scouts open to all ages, genders, beliefs and orientations. The presentation covered the group’s promotional information and a sample of some of the things they teach. He said this was a group where a person could literally spend their entire life as a scout. BPSA allows kids to start at a young age and continue as members as long as they wish.

The foundation’s eventual goal is to put Shakespeare back in the schools and hold a Shakespeare in the Park event this summer. In the meantime, the group works to bring fun events to the community.

While the organization is primarily based in Alberton, everyone in the community is welcome to participate or provide ideas for events.

“If people in Ninemile want to participate, if people in St. Regis [or] Haugan want to participate they’re welcome,” said Acker. “We don’t want to be exclusively Alberton. But Alberton wants to be known as a really fun place to live and raise kids.”