Cool Gathering

Sparta gets ready to celebrate the season The Sparta Recreation Dept. will host its annual Winter Carnival the weekend of Saturday, Feb. 4. The event will feature old favorites as well as new activities and entertainment for residents of all ages. The department has been hosting its winter celebration for more than 15 years. The event started with the intention of offering local families a venue to get to know each other, to have fun, and as a way for community organizations to reach out for volunteers. Since then, the event has become a tradition of the Sparta community. “The main goal is to offer community spirit,” said Donna Jenkins, director of the Sparta Recreation Dept. “The Winter Carnival has been built upon and expanded a great deal over the years to meet the growing needs of the township. We try to offer something for everyone.” The carnival will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the Peter George Memorial Frostbite Road and Trail Run, which takes joggers through the scenic trails of Station Park. Many community organization members volunteer their time to this race to offer direction through the maze of trails. “We can expect anywhere from 15 to 50 people running the race,” said Jenkins. “It all depends on the weather that day.” Runners can register in advance at the recreation office or on the day of the race at Station Park. The fee is $8. Ribbons will be awarded to all runners, and trophies given to the winners in the adult male and female categories. ’Winter Wildness’ “Winter Wildness,” which takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Station Park, will offer an assortment of traditional winter activities for families, including hay rides, ice skating, sledding contests, snow painting and snow-shoe races. The department is taking steps to ensure that even if Mother Nature does not cooperate, the event will feature the major ingredient of a winter festival: snow. The department has secured a snow-making machine. “It’s just a fun event,” said Jenkins. “If there is no snow at all, we will make adjustments, such as sidewalk painting instead of snow painting. You just never know what weather we’ll be having.” For those residents who are not keen on “old man winter,” the department is offering other entertainment options indoors. From 1 to 4 p.m., the Sparta High School gym will house “Kid’s Kaos,” a family event featuring game booths, interactive competitions and face painting. Fifth- through eighth-graders are invited to a pool party from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Sussex County Technical School. The event will feature a water obstacle course, hula hoop contests, water volleyball games, as well as other aquatic activities. The cost of admission is $5. “Last year, 75 children attended this event and it’s expected to increase this year as the event was so well received,” said Jenkins. “After the teen center closed, we went through a period where we found it was hard to do things for this grade level, but this event has been very popular.” Support for charities Not everything about the Winter Carnival is about having fun. The event is also designed to raise community awareness and support for local charities. Organizers are holding a “Snowball Raffle.” The snowballs, which cost $1, can be purchased ahead of time or on the day of the event from the recreation department. The winner, to be announced on Saturday afternoon, will receive half the money collected. The other half will go to benefit the Sussex County Food Pantry. In addition, admission to all Saturday events is a canned food item that will be donated to the food pantry. But all the excitement will not end at sundown on Saturday. The carnival will continue the next day with a “Sunday Swim” to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sussex County YMCA in Hardyston. Sparta residents will receive $5 off the $10 admission price to the pool. Proof of Sparta residency is required.