Indian River's Winterfest returns this weekend

INDIAN RIVER — An annual and area favorite is set to return to Indian River this weekend with winter-themed family fun for everyone.

The returning Indian River Winterfest kicks off Friday, Feb. 18 and runs through the weekend with pond hockey, ice skating, sledding, live entertainment and more.

The annual event took a pandemic-induced hiatus but area officials and organizers are excited for its return this year.

"Our honest hope with this event is to have a fun family focused winter carnival that everyone can enjoy here in Indian River," said Indian River Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Will Mulligan.

"It feels good to be bringing it back for everyone and is a sign that life is moving in a good direction which, I think, is a positive for our community," he said.

The full schedule of events for Winterfest can be found online on the Indian River chamber website at www.irchamber.com. It kicks off on Friday with a pond hockey tournament.

Upcoming Winterfest events are all open to everyone, however, registration for both the pond hockey and the Winterfest poker run can also be done online on the chamber website.

"Obviously, through the weekend, we will be having a few different tournaments and events like our cornhole tournament and skating but we encourage people to participate and have some fun," said Mulligan.

This year, the Indian River Winterfest will take place Friday to Sunday, Feb. 18-20 all at Cooperation Park at 5454 S. Straits Highway in Indian River. Most of the daily activities also run through 9:30 p.m. with live entertainment in the entertainment and refreshment tent.

"Everything is pointing to a great weekend and, weather-wise, it's looking like it should be a good weekend in that front as well," said Mulligan.

"It's nice to be able to just have this again too and give people an opportunity to get out and enjoy Northern Michigan," he said.

More information about the upcoming Indian River Winterfest can be found online on the Indian River Regional Chamber of Commerce's website at www.irchamber.com. A full schedule of events can also be found on the website with registration forms and specific times.

Contact reporter Sean Miller at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter, @seanmillerpnr, and Instagram, @sean_everest.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Indian River's Winterfest returns this weekend