Thanks to numerous derbies, festivals and other frozen events throughout the area, winter in southern Maine need not be a time to huddle near the wood stove and wait for spring thaw. It’s a time to get outside and defy that sometimes-cranky Old Man Winter.

As we begin another winter season, now’s the time to mark your calendar with all the fun that can be had in southern Maine from January to March. While downhill skiing and cross-country skiing are definite staples of a Maine winter, there are some closer-to-home activities that can help warm up a cold spell.

First off, what would winter be without ice fishing? Not everyone likes to get out on a frozen expanse, but for those hardy souls that do, there are plenty of chances to compete for prizes and raise money for charity. There are several major events in southern Maine. The first is the Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby, which is set for Jan. 31 in Gray and features a kids’ and an all-ages derby. Proceeds go to good causes such as the USO and local sports clubs. The entry fee is relatively low and, as a result, tickets go fast. For more information, go to www.crystallakederby.com.

Next up is arguably the granddaddy of all Maine derbies, the Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby on Feb. 14-15. In its 15th edition, this derby usually draws the best hardwater fishermen in the state, but is also a good chance for beginning ice anglers to try their hand at the sport since the event coincides with the state’s free fishing weekend (no fishing license is required). Check out www.icefishingderby.com for more information.

If jiggin’ for togue isn’t your idea of a good time, there are numerous winter carnivals and festivals taking place in just about every community in Greater Portland in the coming months.

On Saturday, Jan. 17, the Winter West Festival in Westbrook takes place in Riverbank Park on Main Street with snow sculptures, a bonfire and ice skating. The festival spans three months this year with additional events in February (sled dog racing) and March (5K road race). As one of the organizers wrote on the event’s Facebook page: “Each month we’ll celebrate ‘Winter in Westbrook!’”

In Scarborough and South Portland, the towns’ recreation departments sponsor similarly named Winterfest events highlighting fun family fare such as ice skating, cookouts and hockey. Scarborough’s Winterfest is Saturday, Jan. 17, from noon-5:30 p.m. at the municipal ice rink and high school sports complex. South Portland’s Winterfest is Jan. 31-Feb. 1 and features a block party on Friday night in Knightville and snow sports and other family fun activities from noon-8 p.m. on Saturday at Wainwright Recreation Complex.

Bridgton boasts a few wintertime events to cheer up even the most seasonally affected Mainer. The annual Down East Musher’s Bowl takes place the weekend of Jan. 24-25 at Five Fields Farm in South Bridgton. Then, on Feb. 14-15, the Maine Lakes Winter Carnival takes place in downtown Bridgton. This is chance to witness a polar plunge into chilly Highland Lake, take a snowmobile or horse-drawn wagon ride or even watch a few games at a highly competitive ping-pong tournament held in the former town hall. For a full listing of these festivals, see the events’ Facebook pages.

With so many upcoming celebrations, many of which are organized by hard-working volunteers who do this out of a love for their community, this winter shouldn’t be a time for doldrums or daydreaming about summer picnics. There’s a wide variety of community-focused events in just about every corner of Greater Portland that will provide you and your family some good memories of the first few months of 2015. The hardest part is bundling up and pulling yourself away from that cozy wood stove in the living room. But once you do, you won’t regret it.

­–John Balentine, managing editor