Ice Harvest Festival This Saturday

If you're looking for something to do with the family this Saturday, head to the Ice Harvest Festival at Hanford Mills Museum. Where is Hanford Mills, New York, you ask? Not that far from Oneonta. Here's more about the Ice Harvest Festival.

According to hanfordmills.org:

"Join us Saturday, February 1, 10 am – 4 pm for the Ice Harvest Festival.

Ice harvests were once an essential part of winter in rural communities. Before there was refrigeration, ice was needed to preserve agricultural products and to keep food cold in the warmer months. Ponds like our Mill Pond were the source of this winter crop.

Take part in a traditional ice harvest as you walk out on the frozen mill pond to help cut and maneuver blocks of ice using historic tools. The ice will be transported by sled and then packed in the Museum’s traditional ice house.

 

The Festival also features:

Horse-drawn sleigh rides

Hot soup buffet with soups from 19 favorite area restaurants

Local farmers and vendors

Ice Fishing by volunteers from the Dave Brandt Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Storytelling at 1:30 pm

Films showing ice harvests in the 1930s

Guided tours, traditional cooking demonstrations, and tabletop games in the John Hanford House (10 am – 2 pm)

Blacksmithing at the Forge

Ice Sculpting by the SUNY Delhi Hospitality Center Ice Team (10 am – 2 pm)

Tree Pruning Demonstrations by Catskill Forest Association (10 am – 2 pm)

Snowman village and winter fun

Children (12 and under) receive free admission. Museum members also receive free admission. Adults and teens, $8.50, Seniors, $6.50.

Hanford Mills Museum · 51 County Highway 12, PO Box 99

East Meredith NY 13757 · 607-278-5744"

For directions to Hanford Mills from Utica, visit hanfordmills.org.