The 2011 Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival will begin on Jan. 22 and end on Jan. 30.
The 2011 Winter Festival committee has been planning and updating events and activities. The festival offers seasonal activities highlighting the beauty of the twin river town communities in the winter months.
Twin Rivertown Projects, Inc., a 501c nonprofit corporation of New Hope and Lambertville business owners, residents and others, have selected the New Hope, Lambertville, and Solebury parks and recreation departments and local food bank, Fisherman’s Mark, as the primary recipients of proceeds this year.
Winter Festival also benefits other community organizations such as social services, schools, fire, police and rescue organizations.
A food drive will be held for Fisherman’s Mark. Bring a non-perishable food item to the festival and place in blue donation canisters located at most festival events and along the Jan. 29 parade route.
Events will include, among many others: the Jan. 27 Taste of Winterfest at the Lambertville Station at 7 p.m.; ice sculptures; the Mummers strutting across the free bridge; and the Jan. 29 winter parade with floats.
The New Hope Chamber of Commerce needs volunteers for the festival and to help create its float for the Winter Festival parade on Jan. 29. Interested participants should contact the Chamber at [email protected] or call 215-862-9900. The parade will begin at noon in New Hope.
— The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Fire & Ice Ball, which kicks-off the 14th annual Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival. The dance party takes place on Jan. 22 from 8-11 p.m. at the New Hope Arts Center, 2 Stockton S., New Hope, Guests will enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and music from DJ Aggreschen. Tickets are $15 per person (guests must be 21 or older to attend). To purchase tickets, visit www.WinterFestival.net. Tony Artur, of A Beautiful Life, is chairman of the Fire & Ice Ball.
— Festival planners have selected Poco to headline this year’s annual concert. Poco, best known for the 1979 hit, “Crazy Love,” will heat up the Stephen J. Buck Musical Theater, New Hope, on Jan. 28 at 8 p.m.
This special evening will feature soft 70s American country rock style. Poco continues the Winter Festival tradition of singer-song writer performances. Tickets are available for purchase at www.winterfestival.net.
— A festival tribute to the Biermans will he held Jan. 29 at Occasions, New Hope, Pa., from 6:30-10:30 p.m. This event will pay tribute to New Hope’s first couple, June and Earl Bierman. For decades, The Biermans, who are founding members of Winter Festival, have supported every community organization with grace and charm. Their work and dedication have shaped the twin river communities. This tribute event will include a cocktail party, including open bar throughout the evening, a sit-down dinner, a festival tribute to the couple, as well as a full cabaret musical performance by New Hope’s Tom Bateman on piano and Mary Szczesniak on vocals. This event is limited to 200 guests.
For a complete list of events, visit www.WinterFestival.net.
TRAFFIC CONTROL, parking and detour plan — As part of the traffic control and security measures that New Hope police will implement for the Jan. 29 Winter Festival parade, the following road closures and restrictions will be in effect for much of the morning and part of the afternoon on that day.
Access to the New Hope-Lambertville free bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic from noon-approximately 1 p.m.
West Bridge Street from Kiltie Drive to West Ferry Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 11:45 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m., and eastbound West Bridge Street from West Ferry Street to Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from noon to approximately 1 p.m.
West Ferry Street will be open to vehicle traffic, but only from West Bridge Street to South MainStreet. No vehicles will be permitted to enter West Bridge Street from West Ferry Street from 11:45 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m.
West Bridge Street access to and from Union Square will be closed from 11:45 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. Persons wishing to enter or exit Union Square must do so via Hardy Bush Way.
Stockton Avenue will be closed at West Bridge Street and West Ferry Street from 11:45 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m.
South Main Street from Bridge Street to West Ferry Street and North Main Street at Bridge Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from noon to approximately 1 p.m.
In addition to these road closures, all parking meters on West Bridge Street will be bagged “No Parking” starting at approximately 11 p.m. on Jan. 28. Any vehicle that remains in a bagged parking space as of 9 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2011, will be removed by police at the owner’s expense.
Metered parking regulations will be suspended on Jan. 29 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Any person whose residential parking space falls within the restricted areas may, therefore, park at any metered space within the borough, without charge, during that time.
After 2 p.m., enforcement of all parking regulations will resume.
Persons who are affected by these road closures and/or parking restrictions should take appropriate action prior to the start of the parade. Once the parade begins, police cannot guarantee that persons will be able to arrive at or depart from the affected areas. Informational signs and detour arrows will be placed at locations throughout the borough to assist motorists in avoiding the parade route.
Any questions regarding these measures should be directed to New Hope police at 215-862-3033.

