Southold's 1st Ever Winter Festival Kicks Off Saturday

SOUTHOLD, NY — Downtown Southold will come alive Saturday with the First Annual Southold Winter Festival, which will offer an array of fun activities for all, including ice carving, music, food, a fire pit, and an art exhibit.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Route 25 in Southold.

According to Paula DiDonato of The Giving Room, the idea for the festival was conceived by Jack Malley, who sought to spark tourism and business for the Town of Southold during the winter months.

"The Festival is a wonderful collaboration of over 40 small businesses and not-for-profits including Community Action of Southold Town and the Southold Historical Society," DiDonato said. A number of local artists will be featured at The Giving Room and local businesses are offering special sales, free samples and unique experiences.

There are four key locations throughout town including The Giving Room, the gazebo in Southold, CAST, and the First Presbyterian Church. In addition to these sites, small businesses have signed on to deliver a unique in-store experience, she said.

"This will be a wonderful day for families and visitors," DiDonato said.

A schedule of the day's events includes:

The Giving Room

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Art exhibit and free smoothies and mimosas at The Giving Room, 56215 Route 25

Noon to 2 p.m.: Yoga open house info session at The Giving Room.

Parking lot across from the Southold Free Library

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: DJ sponsored by the Soloviev family.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Ice sculptures sponsored by East End Pool King

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Face painting by Sarah Hope

New Community Action of Southold Town location, 53930 Route 25

10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Southold Library Story Time and Ice Castle activity

12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Cupcake decorating

1:30 p.m.: Grammy-nominated Brady Rymer Family Concert

3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Mariachi sol Mixteco, Latin appetizers, cider and wine

At the Southold gazebo

10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Girl Scouts Troop 2981 Bake Sale

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Corn Hole by Greenport Harbor Brewery

12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Star-gazing booth by Custer Institute

Southold Fish Market seafood station

At the First Presbyterian Church, 53100 Route 25

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Fire pit with hot chocolate, s'mores, and baked potatoes

1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Southold Historical Museum Tours

5 p.m.: Star gazing at the Custer Observatory

"Come for a family fun walk around town," organizers said.

"The vision is to draw more people to Southold when the area is quieter," Malley said. "To help generate activity for local merchants, restaurants and other businesses especially because many are open all year and our goal is to help these businesses. We are most excited by the amazing support we received by organizations like CAST, the First Presbyterian Church, the Southold Historical Museum and so many local businesses. "