NEWBURYPORT — The members of the Frog Pond Skating Club were at the Bartlet Mall this week preparing the area for revelers.
The annual Winter Carnival will return to the city's landmark park on High Street on Jan. 23. It will run from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This week, volunteers used an ATV with a plow to scrape the ice before bringing in fire hoses to wet down and ready the ice, parks administrator Lisô Reid said.
It's because of the volunteers that the carnival can happen.
Reid, as the parks administrator, is the only staff member paid by the city, although the Public Services Department assists as well. But the Frog Pond Skating Club is all volunteers, as are the dozens of individuals who show up each year at the carnival to man the information table, monitor the outdoor fire pit, keep an eye on the sledding hill and oversee the hayrides, she said.
The Mothers Club also has members volunteer to run games and activities for kids, Reid said.
The five parks commissioners also take part in the day, but they are also volunteers. The high school's Interact Club sends members.
"It's all volunteer," Reid said.
The annual Winter Carnival draws about 1,000 people to the Mall for outdoor activities and events. The event includes the Human Dog Sled Race, in which teams race across the frozen pond.
Festival-goers can also enjoy skate races and winter games, such as snowman building, basketball on ice and snowball activities. Open skating, snowboarding and sledding will occur throughout the day.
Colby Farm in Newburyport will offer horse-drawn hayrides, and the White Hen Pantry will again offer free hot cocoa and coffee. Free cookies will be provided by Shaw's Supermarket and volunteer bakers.
WNBP will provide music throughout the day.
The event is funded by donations from the Institution for Savings and the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank.
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