PolarFest

February 3 to 5, 2023

CANCELLED & POSTPONED ACTIVITIES

  • Opening Ceremony & Fireworks scheduled for Friday, February 3, 2023 has been POSTPONED to Saturday, February 4th beginning at 6:30PM lakeside at Chemong Lodge at 764 Hunter Street, Bridgenorth.
  • The Lakefield Trail Night Hike scheduled for Friday, February 3, 2023 has been CANCELLED due to extreme cold weather.
  • The Candlelight Skate scheduled for Friday, February 3, 2023 has been POSTPONED to Saturday, February 4,2023 due to extreme cold weather. Tickets are available through the Ontario Speed Skating Oval website.
  • The Polar Paddle scheduled for Saturday, February 4, 2023 has been CANCELLED due to extreme cold weather. 

Schedule of Events

More events will be added to the schedule below as they are confirmed

Beavertails Logo

Beavertails

The infamous Beavertails food truck will be joining us for PolarFest Weekend! Beavertails will be available at the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre at 20 Concession Street, Lakefield on:

  • Saturday, February 3rd from 11:00AM to 7:30PM and
  • Sunday, February 4th from 11:00AM to 5:30PM

 

Snowman ChallengeSnowman Challenge Poster

If you think you can build the best snowman in Selwyn Township, then the Snowman Challenge is for you! A prize will be awarded to the best, most creative snowman!

Make sure your snowman is ready for PolarFest weekend and take a picture of your awesome snowman and upload to Facebook. Be sure add #snowmanchallenge and #polarfest to your post.

Don't have Facebook? No problem, email photo to the Parks & Recreation Department.

 

3rd Annual Lakefield Hot Chocolate Festival Hot Chocolate Festival Poster

From February 1st to 17th, warm up with delicious, decadent hot chocolate at participating cafes, restaurants and merchants in Lakefield. Watch the Lakefield Village Lions Club Facebook page for a list of participating locations and how to vote for your favourite! 

Proceeds from every cup purchased will help the Lakefield Village Lions Club support important community organizations and families in need. 

 

PolarFest Activities at the Canoe & Paddle

Canoe & Paddle will be hosting a variety of PolarFest activities and offering PolarFest treats throughout the weekend, including Turkey Bowling, Fundraising Family Breakfast, Cookie Decorating, and Hot Toddy’s, Walking Tacos, Chili-to-Go, Snow Cones, Maple Taffy, Hot Chocolate and Paddle Donuts on the patio! For more information, visit the Canoe & Paddle Facebook page. *fees may be applicable


 Friday, February 3rd, 2023
Youth Shinny (9:00AM to 11:00AM)

Location: Ennismore Community Centre at 553 Ennis Road, Ennismore

  • 9-10am - ages 9 and under
  • 10-11am - ages 10 and older
Cost: $5.00 per player
Non-contact. Full hockey equipment mandatory. Parental/guardian supervision required while your child is at the Arena.
POSTPONED (DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER & HIGH WINDS) - Opening Ceremony & Fireworks

The Opening Ceremony & Fireworks scheduled for Friday, February 3, 2023 has been POSTPONED due to extreme cold weather and high winds.

They will now take place on Saturday, February 4, 2023 beginning at 6:30PM lakeside at Chemong Lodge at 764 Hunter Street, Bridgenorth.

CANCELLED (DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER) - Lakefield Trail Night Hike

The Lakefield Trail Night Hike scheduled for Friday, February 3, 2023 has been CANCELLED due to extreme cold weather.

POSTPONED (DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER) - Candlelight Skate

The Candlelight Skate scheduled for Friday, February 3, 2023 has been POSTPONED to Saturday, February 4,2023 due to extreme cold weather.

Tickets are available through the Ontario Speed Skating Oval website.

Guns & Hoses Charity Hockey Game (8:00PM)

Location: Ennismore Community Centre at 553 Ennis Road, Ennismore

Watch your local Police Officers take on the Selwyn Firefighters in a friendly charity hockey game for $2.00 per person or a non-perishable food item. Proceeds to be split between the Lakefield Food Bank and the Bridgenorth Food Cupboard.

 Saturday, February 4th, 2023
Fundraising Family Breakfast for Lakefield Youth Unlimited (8:30AM to 10:30AM)

Location: Canoe & Paddle at 18 Bridge Street, Lakefield

A fun family breakfast with penguin story telling, and sing-along. Every kids' breakfast comes with a craft activity!

Afterwards, enjoy the March of The Penguins Treasure Hunt - find the penguins and polar bears in store windows throughout downtown Lakefield, find them all and get a FREE cookie from Stuff'd, attached to the Canoe & Paddle.

Proceeds from the breakfast go to Lakefield Youth Unlimited.

Ice Sculptures in Bridgenorth & Ennismore (beginning 9:00AM)

The Ice People of the Bridgenorth, Ennismore and Lakefield area remove ice from Chemong Lake to carve beautiful ice sculptures that are placed in Heritage Park. The Ice People is a not for profit community organization whose members work as volunteers to better the community festivals and enhance the beauty of Selwyn Township.

Interested in being a carver? 

We have a block of ice for you! We assign a block of ice per carver in advance, so sign up for yours today by emailing info@woodchukcharlie.com. Amateur and Professional Carvers Welcome! All carvers must bring their own tools and safety gear and sign a Waiver Form

Special thanks to our in-kind sponsor Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre
for thier generous donation of supplies to light up the PolarFest ice carvings!

Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre Logo

Drive-Thru Pancake Breakfast (9:00AM to 11:00AM)

Location: Causeway Christian Assembly at 1307 Yankee Line, Ennismore

Come out and enjoy a free drive-thru pancake breakfast at the Causeway Christian Assembly located at the top of the hill above the causeway. Event is free but donations are welcome. 

Custom Block Family Workshop (10:00AM)

Location: Selwyn Public Library Makerspace at 1 Bridge Street, Lakefield 

Build your family! 5 different heights to choose from. Blocks are 1"x1". Tallest block is about 6.5 inches. Blocks are wrapped in twine, heart is optional. Multiple colours of paint and stain available. All supplies provided.

Cost: $5.00 per block person. Payment can be made in person at the SPL Makerspace or online via PayPal.

Register here

Polar Bear Scavenger Hunt (10:00AM to 2:00PM)

Location: Bridgenorth Library at 836 Charles Street, Bridgenorth

Our polar bears are roaming the library inside and out! Can you help us find them? Visit the Bridgenorth Library to get a scavenger hunt sheet, find the bears and be entered into a special draw for a polar themed prize! (All ages)

Turkey Bowling (11:00AM to 3:00PM)

Location: Canoe & Paddle at 18 Bridge Street, Lakefield

Try your hand at turkey bowling at the Canoe & Paddle. Free for participants, donations to Lakefield Youth Unlimited gratefully accepted.

While you're there, enjoy a wide variety of PolarFest-themed treats on the patio including Hot Toddy’s, Walking Tacos, Chili-to-Go, Snow Cones, Maple Taffy, Hot Chocolate and Paddle Donuts! For more information, visit the Canoe & Paddle Facebook page*fees may be applicable

Public Skating (12 Noon to 1:00PM)

Location: Lakefield-Smith Community Centre at 20 Concession Street, Lakefield 

Sponsored by Sayer Heating

Nordic Day (12 Noon to 3:00PM)

Location: Ontario Speed Skating Oval at 3358 Lakefield Road, Lakefield

Adventure Outfitters will be providing those interested the opportunity to experience a variety of Nordic Winter Sports.

Stop by Adventure Outfitters located at 1828 8th Line, Lakefield and staff will fit you in the proper equipment. Head back to the speed skating oval and enjoy the trail that has been groomed for Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing adjacent to the Oval site. Try your hand at speed skating while you are there!

Retro Apres Ski Party (12 Noon to 4:00PM)

Location: Chemong Lodge at 764 Hunter Street, Bridgenorth

Enjoy 80's & 90's tunes at the Chemong Lodge Retro Apres Ski Party, featuring an ice bar and booze luge. Wear your best throwback ski gear for a complimentary beverage! 

Ice-Bar Party at the Legion (beginning at 1:00PM)

Location: Lakefield Legion Branch 77 at 10 Nicholls Street, Lakefield

Come join the Lakefield Legion for an Ice-Bar Party on the patio to celebrate PolarFest! Enjoy a BBQ, indoor music by George Terpstra, Martini Party, Meat and Share the Wealth Draws & more! Bring the whole family - apple cider available for the kids!

CANCELLED (DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER) - Polar Paddle

The Polar Paddle scheduled for Saturday, February 4, 2023 has been CANCELLED due to extreme cold weather and low registration.

Spaghetti Dinner (4:30PM to 6:30PM)

Location: Bridgenorth United Church at 832 Charles Street, Bridgenorth

Join Bridgenorth United Church at the PolarFest Spaghetti Dinner, which will include musical entertainment from The Tarnished Angels!  

Cost: Adults - $14.00, Children (ages 7 to 12) - $10.00, Children (6 and under) - free. Takeout available.

Polar Pairings (Ticketed Event)

Location: Village Inn Lakefield at 39 Queen Street, Lakefield

Enjoy a winter wine, cheese and craft beer festival featuring live music and a buffet of winter foodie pairings! 

Two seatings available:

  • 5:00PM to 7:00PM - SOLD OUT
  • 7:30PM TO 9:30PM

Cost: $75.00 per person. Tickets available for purchase at The Cheesy Fromage at 25 Queen Street, Lakefield.

Candlelight Skate (Ticketed Event)

Location: Ontario Speed Skating Oval at 3358 Lakefield Road, Lakefield

Speed skates for rent will be available. Please bring a flashlight to guide your way down from the parking lot. Hundreds of lights will guide your way around the 400 metre Oval!

Two time slots available:

  • 5:30PM to 7:00PM; and
  • 7:30PM to 9:00PM

Register for your skate time through the Ontario Speed Skating Oval website.

Opening Ceremony & Fireworks (6:30PM)

Location: Lakeside at Chemong Lodge at 764 Hunter Street, Bridgenorth

Help kick off the 16th Anniversary of PolarFest! Join us at the Opening Ceremony where Supernova Fireworks has kindly sponsored an epic fireworks show! While you're there, enjoy a bonfire, hot chocolate and coffee courtesy of our gracious hosts Chemong Lodge!

 

Fireworks brought to you by Enbridge Gas in partnership with Supernova Fireworks!

 Sunday, February 5th, 2023
Fundraising Family Breakfast for Lakefield Youth Unlimited (8:30AM to 10:30AM)

Location: Canoe & Paddle at 18 Bridge Street, Lakefield

A fun family breakfast with penguin story telling, and sing-along. Every kids' breakfast comes with a craft activity!

Afterwards, enjoy the March of The Penguins Treasure Hunt - find the penguins and polar bears in store windows throughout downtown Lakefield, find them all and get a FREE cookie from Stuff'd, attached to the Canoe & Paddle.

Proceeds from the breakfast go to Lakefield Youth Unlimited.

Ice Sculptures in Bridgenorth, Ennismore & Lakefield  (beginning 9:00AM)

The Ice People of the Bridgenorth, Ennismore and Lakefield area remove ice from Chemong Lake to carve beautiful ice sculptures that are placed in Heritage Park. The Ice People is a not for profit community organization whose members work as volunteers to better the community festivals and enhance the beauty of Selwyn Township.

Interested in being a carver? 

We have a block of ice for you! We assign a block of ice per carver in advance, so sign up for yours today by emailing info@woodchukcharlie.com. Amateur and Professional Carvers Welcome! All carvers must bring their own tools and safety gear and sign a Waiver Form

Special thanks to our in-kind sponsor Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre
for thier generous donation of supplies to light up the PolarFest ice carvings!

Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre Logo

Antique & Vintage Snowmobile Show (10:00AM to 3:00PM)

Location: Rotary Park at 1495 Yankee Line, Ennismore

The Antique and Classic Snowmobile Club of Canada will have a display of snowmobiles from days gone by at Rotary Park in Ennismore. All vintage snowmobile enthusiasts are welcome to come out and display their snowmobiles. All snowmobiles welcome!

Turkey Bowling (11:00AM to 3:00PM)

Location: Canoe & Paddle at 18 Bridge Street, Lakefield

Try your hand at turkey bowling at the Canoe & Paddle. Free for participants, donations to Lakefield Youth Unlimited gratefully accepted.

While you're there, enjoy a wide variety of PolarFest-themed treats on the patio including Hot Toddy’s, Walking Tacos, Chili-to-Go, Snow Cones, Maple Taffy, Hot Chocolate and Paddle Donuts! For more information, visit the Canoe & Paddle Facebook page*fees may be applicable

Lake Curling at Plunge Site (12 Noon to 4:00PM)

Location: Rotary Park at 1495 Yankee Line, Ennismore

Want to try curling? Here is the perfect opportunity to try it out on Chemong Lake! The Ennismore Curling Club will have curling stones ready to use, test your luck and see if you can get the closest for a chance to win a prize!

Public Skating (1:00PM to 2:00PM)

Location: Ennismore Community Centre at 553 Ennis Road, Ennismore

Sponsored by Jesse's Tap & Grill

Polar Plunge (beginning at 2:00PM)
2023 BEL Rotary Polar Plunge Poster

The BEL Rotary Polar Plunge is back!

Location: Rotary Park at 1495 Yankee Line, Ennismore

Take the plunge in support of local charities and the BEL Rotary club! This year's theme is “Be a Rockstar to the charity of your choice!"

Raise money for your favorite charity and the work of BEL Rotary. As in previous years, all donations will be a 50/50 split.

To register or donate, visit the BEL Rotary Polar Plunge website.

phone iconContact Us