The annual event will be held Feb. 2-6.
By: Linda Seida
This year’s Winter Festival is an expanded five-day event with two additional days designed to bring more visitors to the river towns of Lambertville and New Hope.
In years past, more than 10,000 people swelled the streets and patronized local businesses during the festival that formerly ran from Friday evening through Sunday, according to Susan Waller, one of the owners of the River Horse Brewery, who is co-chairing the 9-year-old annual affair.
This winter, a sure possibility exists those numbers will be matched and maybe even surpassed with the addition of several days and events to the schedule.
The festival, set for Feb. 2-5, will go on no matter what the weather brings.
"It happens whether or not it snows or rains," Ms. Waller said.
Along with the influx of visitors come thousands of tourist dollars, enough to make the cold-weather lineup of fun a ton of help for local organizations, primarily the park and recreation departments in both Lambertville and New Hope and the towns’ police and fire departments.
Approximately $40,000 per year is raised from the festival. About $18,000 of the total amount comes from the chili cook-off, which is sold out this year.
"Although it’s a lot of work, we have such a wonderful group of volunteers," Ms. Waller said.
She expressed gratitude for the many restaurants and businesses who donated food and other items for a pre-concert gala Friday, Feb. 4, at the Lambertville Station.
The concert features singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor.
The gala, which runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m., will feature food from a long list of local eateries on both sides of the river, including Lambertville Station, River Horse Brewing Company, Triumph Brewing Company, C’est La Vie, Clemens Markets, Giant Markets, Full Moon, The Stockton Inn, DeAnna’s, 90 Main, Hamilton’s Grill Room, Havana Restaurant & Catering, Hong Kong Sunny, Karla’s, The Landing, Just Eat by Browngold, Martine’s, Marsha Brown, Sideways Café, The Swan and the 1870 Wedgewood Inn.
A pre-purchased $65 ticket is necessary for entry. Tickets are $35 for children under 18.
Ticket prices includes entry to a concert by Mr. Taylor, who is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. in the Stephen J. Buck auditorium of New Hope-Solebury High School. A self-described pop artist, he is the brother of recording artist James Taylor.
Tickets also may be obtained for $30 for the concert only. For information or to reserve tickets, call (215) 862-3821.
The festival actually kicks off with a two-hour tea and reception beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at the 1870 Wedgewood Inn in New Hope. For $6 per person, visitors will receive home-baked goods, hot wassail and a special brew concocted for the festival courtesy of the Triumph Brewing Company.
Reservations are required and may be obtained by calling (215) 862-2570.
Thursday, Feb. 3, the New Hope-Solebury Middle School will host a poster exhibit from 4 to 6 p.m. Later in the evening in the borough, Triumph will hold an event it calls WinterFest Cheer. Beginning at 8 p.m., guests can join the brewmaster in raising a tankard of special WinterFest beer. Dinner, too, will be available. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Princeton Gay Men’s Chorus.
A free tour of seven outdoor sculptures throughout New Hope will be held Friday, Feb. 4. The tour departs from the Wedgewood Inn and concludes at Triumph. To register, call (215) 862-2570 or visit www.newhopeartsinc.org.
Children can enjoy "Trickster Tales," a performance of trickster stories from around the world performed by Tuckers’ Tales Puppet Theater Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. John’s School in Lambertville from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The entire family will enjoy the parade that kicks off at noon from New Hope-Solebury High School. The route follows Bridge Street across the Lambertville-New Hope bridge to Lambertville. Performing in the parade will be the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band, Avalon and Uptown Mummers String Bands, South Hunterdon High School Band and Scout and other civic organizations. Also on hand will be Clash, the mascot of the Trenton Titans hockey team.
Lovers of history specifically and Lambertville in general will enjoy a tour of the Marshall House Museum at 62 Bridge St. Tours are free but donations are welcome. Tours will run between 1 and 4 p.m.
In New Hope, tours of the Parry Mansion at 45 S. Main St. will be held Saturday on the half hour beginning at 1 p.m., with the last tour at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for senior citizens and students. For information, call (215) 862-5652.
Also beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, simultaneous ice carving demonstrations will be held at Lambertville Station in Lambertville and at Triumph.
For information on other events, visit www.winterfestival.net.

