BIDDEFORD — Want to sled down a city street? Ride a bike in Clifford Park on the snow? Or for the indoor type, how about having a few laughs at City Theater? There is something for just about everybody at Biddeford’s WinterFest, taking place Friday through Sunday.

Since 2012, WinterFest in Biddeford has offered a full weekend of outdoor and indoor activities to build community and entice visitors to check out all Biddeford has to offer.

This year, the giant sledding hill and dog sled rides will return, as well as the Classic Rock Orchestra and comedian Juston McKinney at City Theater. 

New this year is an adult sledding party on Friday night, a fire & ice event on Saturday called “Glace et Feu,” and an indoor wellness event on Sunday hosted by University of New England medical students called, “Limb-o,” which stands for Laugh, Imagine, Move, Breath. 

Biddeford’s WinterFest started in 2012, it was the brainchild of Mayor Alan Casavant. He tapped local resident John Maxson to serve as event chair.

“This year during planning, we were struck by the loss of John Maxson who passed away in September,” said Casavant. “The planning group pledged to keep his commitment to the kids of Biddeford alive, and the sledding hill will be the highlight once again.” 

Friday, Feb. 2

6 to 7:30 p.m. First Night Sledding Party (not for the kids)
The grown-ups get the sledding hill all to themselves the first night of WinterFest. Sleds are provided, so just show up on the Adams Street hill (in front of City Hall), followed by an after-party at Dirigo brewery. All proceeds from this event are used to support the mission of WinterFest. Tickets are on sale now on EventBrite.

7:30 p.m. Classic Rock Orchestra
From the creators of last years sold-out Piano Men concert, Classic Rock presents songs by Journey, Pat Benatar, Heart, Kansas, Boston and many more. The concert features Joe Boucher’s six-piece band, classical string quartet and vocalists Susie Pepper and Johnny Martinez and will benefit Biddeford High School music programs. Tickets are on sale now on the City Theater website.

Saturday, Feb. 3

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winter Fun Time! All free.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sledding (on Adams Street).  

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Snow Golf & Snowshoeing.

10 a.m. to noon: 30 p.m. Dog Sled Rides (at 3 Lincoln Street). 

1 p.m. Tribute to John Maxson in City Square.

1 to 4 p.m. Fat Bicycle Rides at 3 Lincoln St. 

1:15 p.m. Sub-Zero Ice Carving in City Square.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Warming Station at McArthur Library on Main Street. Drop in for hot cocoa, crafts & games.

New Life Church will provide sleds, pony rides, delicious snacks, hot dogs, and cocoa —  plus gloves and hats.

1 p.m. Broomball Exhibition & Demo, Biddeford Ice Arena
Come out and celebrate one of Biddeford’s favorite pastimes!

5 to 7 p.m. Glace et Feu, Shevenell Park, 145 Main St.
Our own Biddeford WinterFest version of fire and ice. Gather in the snow, under the warmth of heat lamps, with the live music of BillyBilly, and grab a cup for a cold Banded Horn Beer flowing down the ice luge. Tickets are $25 and include your first beer/non-alcoholic beverage and a Cowbell Burger Bar slider. All proceeds go to benefit the Biddeford Education Foundation. Get tickets on EventBrite. 

7 p.m. Juston McKinney, City Theater
With multiple performances on The Tonight Show, his own Comedy Central specials and consistently selling out theaters, he’s at the top of his game. Tickets are $20 and available on the City Theater website.

Sunday, Feb. 4

11 a.m. to 3 p.m., “LIMB-O,” at Metta & Equilibrium, Pepperell Mill Campus
“Laugh, Imagine, Move, Breathe!” Drop in to the Pepperell Center between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for free adult and children classes (included yoga and zumba and even kid’s limbo) to be held inside Equilibrium and Metta studios. Adults and kids are invited to free, short, fun indoor classes offered by the University of New England students of UNECOM SOMA and Biddeford’s “Thrive” group of alternative health practitioners. Adults can even take a class in one studio while their child takes a class in the other studio.

Noon, Super Roll Sunday Fat Bike Ride, Community Bicycle Center
The CBC keeps the fat bikes rolling on Super Roll Sunday, with a ride through Clifford Park. The ride starts at the CBC parking lot and finishes back at the CBC for some post-ride/pre- game chili afterwards. 

1:30 to 3 p.m. Indoor Skate, Biddeford Ice Arena
For just $3, come for an afternoon of skating.

WinterFest is sponsored by: Biddeford Savings Bank, City of Biddeford, People’s United Bank and Saco Biddeford Savings Bank. Silver Level Sponsors are TruChoice Federal Credit Union, Jim Godbout Plumbing & Heating, PeoplesChoice Credit Union, Pepperell Mill Campus, Casella Waste Systems, Woodman Edmands Danylik Austin Smith Jacques, and the Downtown Development Commission. The sledding hill is made possible by New Life Church, Thyng Paving, Peters Construction and Excavation, Larry Patoine Construction, Phil Labbe Excavation, and Dee Quality Foundations & Excavating, United Rentals, and Dead River.

WinterFest’s Planning Partners are: the City of Biddeford (including the Mayor’s office, Downtown Development Commission, Public Works, Police Department, Recreation Department, and Ward 5 City Councilor Victoria Foley), Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry, Community Bicycle Center, Engine, Heart of Biddeford, McArthur Library, New Life Church, Thrive: Inspiring Positive Change, and UNECOM SOMA.  

For more information, visit https://biddefordwinterfest.org/ and Facebook.com/BiddWinterFest. For tickets, go to eventbrite.com or citytheater.org.

— Associate Editor Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324, or dmendros@journaltribune.com.