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Ice Harvest Festival: Celebrating History in a Fun Family Environment

Deep in the majestic Catskills region of New York, lies the beautiful town of East Meredith. This small town, and the Catskills in general, are ideal vacation locations for any outdoor lover. No matter the season you choose to visit, there are a spectrum of activities and can’t-miss destinations to enjoy. During the cold months, the region transforms into a winter wonderland, with a healthy blanket of snow covering the rolling hills, mountains, and forests, enhancing the already beautiful terrain. There is no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy with downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling and much more readily available during your stay. Not far from town, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do indoors as well. There are plenty of live entertainment venues, museums, art galleries, shopping centers and more. The culinary scene combined with the area's local distilleries make this the perfect location to put your palate through its paces. When it comes to festivals and events, the locals are not dissuaded by the cold. In fact, the Ice Harvest Festival has established itself as one of the most enjoyable events in the region during the winter months.

 

For nearly three decades, the Ice Harvest Festival at the beautiful and historic Hanford Mills Museum has been attracting attendees of all ages and backgrounds. There are few other festivals that showcase and demonstrate how ice was harvested before the days of modern refrigeration. You’ll be able to gain an understanding of the entire process from cutting and harvesting to storage. Ice is not the only activity at this family spectacular. They have sleigh rides, cooking demonstrations, fire pits, and exhibits from local businesses and farmers. The ice harvesting will definitely work up your hunger level and they will have hot soup buffet and various food vendors at the festival. Few events can be educational and fun, but the Ice Harvest Festival more than deliverers with a one-of-a-kind family experience. We interviewed Lisa Wisely, the Tourism Director for the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, to talk about the area and this fun event.

 

RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.

LW:  The Ice Harvest Festival at Hanford Mills Museum takes place on the first Saturday of February. For almost 30 years, kids and adults have been coming to Hanford Mills to cut and maneuver ice blocks from the mill pond, and help us fill the ice house. More than 1,000 people come to Ice Harvest each year, making it our most popular festival. We have many families come, and often three generations will take part in the harvest.

 

RAL: What is a typical day at the event like?

LW: Visitors can cut and harvest ice blocks using historic tools and techniques, just as rural communities did each winter in the days before mechanical refrigeration. Ice blocks are transported by sled to the ice house. The ice is used at our Independence Day Celebration to make ice cream. The Ice Harvest Festival also includes a variety of outdoor and indoor activities, including ice carving, blacksmithing and cooking demonstrations, ice fishing with Trout Unlimited volunteers, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a hot soup buffet, food trucks, fire pits, videos of ice harvests from the 1920’s, a snowman village, and exhibits by local farmers and businesses.

 

RAL: What can attendees expect to find for local lodging?

LW: Delaware County prides itself on providing its visitors with an authentic experience. While some areas of the country are awash with chain motels and large resorts, our visitors have always appreciated our quaint country inns, bed and breakfasts nestled on tree-lined Main Street, resorts that cater to family and fishing, and the wide variety of cabins and farm rental homes. Some of the most interesting accommodations near the festival include: Harmony Hill Lodging & Retreat Center, Middle Brook Bed & Breakfast in Davenport, and Breezy Acres Bed and Breakfast.

 

Some of our accommodations do sell out well in advance but if you are willing to drive a little and enjoy all the Great Western Catskill has to offer, you are sure to find the perfect lodging to fit you and your family. 

 

RAL: What does this festival mean to the community?

LW: Families come to the Ice Harvest Festival year after year. And, each year we also get visitors joining us for the first time, some driving up from New York City for the weekend. We promote local businesses and local farmers -- the hand-knit mittens and hats from Promisedland Farms are always a big hit with visitors. We also promote local restaurants who provide the soup for the hot soup buffet. The proceeds from the soup sales benefit the Museum's educational programs, allowing us to help more children explore the power of the past.

 

RAL: Why should people come to your festival?

LW: The Ice Harvest Festival at Hanford Mills Museum combines hands-on history with winter fun. Visitors tell us the Ice Harvest Festival is like stepping into a Currier & Ives painting, and we are pleased to provide them with this unique experience. There is a great spirit of community at the event, as everyone works together to fill the ice house. People gain a better understanding of the past, while embracing winter and enjoying a day of fun with horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowman making, interesting demonstrations and exhibits, and delicious soup.


For more information about the event or the Hanford Mills Museum, please visit their website.