(La Porte, IN) - Free ice skating throughout Winterfest in La Porte is just one of many offerings during the annual three day event, which begins at 4 p.m. on Friday.

 

The city’s downtown refrigerated rink at Lincolnway and Monroe St. will be open again at no cost Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Other activities Friday include ice sculpting demonstrations at the downtown Plaza 618 and an Eagles tribute band concert inside the Civic Auditorium at 7 p.m.

 

On Saturday, Winterfest resumes with an ice fishing derby from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Pine and Stone Lakes with participants competing for prizes. A snowball softball co-ed tournament begins at 9 a.m. at Lions Fields, no matter what the conditions.

 

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., people can make their own winter hat at 1640 First St. during a basic sewing skills class taught by the Steady Stitchers, a Purdue Extension Homemakers club.

 

There’s also Family Fun Day that includes the showing of the movie, Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and Wardrobe, on the new LED wall above the stage at the Civic Auditorium.

 

There will also be bounce houses and other activities for children during the event, which runs from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The movie is free, but an all day pass to enjoy the other attractions costs $5, said La Porte Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber.

 

There’s also a free one hour bicycle ride beginning and ending at the La Porte Park Department Office at 250 Pine Lake Ave. at 1 p.m.

 

“We usually get a dozen or two people out there that really just enjoy getting around the town in the cold,” he said.

 

Snacks and hot chocolate will be provided once the leisurely ride is over. There will also be activities such as hiking and decorating cookies offered at Luhr Park Nature Center from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

 

Winterfest ends on Sunday with horse drawn wagon rides from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Cummings Lodge.

 

“We hope to see large crowds,” Schreiber said.