(La Porte, IN) - Arctic cold in the forecast has led to the cancellation of the events planned during the annual Winterfest in La Porte that begins tomorrow.

The cancellations include the free skating planned at the downtown ice rink Friday and Saturday.  La Porte Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber said the bitter cold is too dangerous for people to be out in and would likely hurt attendance  “Sub-zero wind chills are predicted for both days,” he said.

No decisions have been made yet on plans for free skating on Sunday due to a slight warm-up that's in the forecast.  Schreiber said the ice fishing derby Saturday has also been cancelled due to the extreme cold and doubts whether the ice on the lakes is thick enough.

The snowball softball tournament Saturday has been pushed back a week. Schreiber said Ice carving by professionals from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Plaza 618 on Friday will still go as originally planned.  For a full list of events during Winterfest go to laporteparkandrec.com/winterfest.