CAMDEN — Join Camden Public Library for a refreshed Winterfest celebration. The Camden Public Library will host the annual Winterfest Carnival, Saturday, Feb. 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The day kicks off with a Polar Plunge, organized by SunDog Outdoor Expeditions, at 11 a.m. Watch intrepid souls take on the ice-bound waters of Camden Harbor. Register for the Polar Plunge at sundogoe.com. Take the Ocean Challenge with a Polar Plunge!
 
There will be booths of carnival games for all ages in the amphitheatre, and Dark Follies Vaudeville will perform their music, dance, comedy, and fire routines throughout the day. DJ Terry Frank will keep the party going in between Dark Follies performances.
 
A selection of hot food will be available for purchase throughout the event. All sales go directly to supporting Camden Public Library and events such as Winterfest.

The lunch booth is hosted by Maine Coast Orthodontics in the Camden Library Amphitheatre.
 
While you eat, watch the ice sculpture exhibition. This year, there will be one central sculpture being created by a large team led by Master Carver Tim Pierce, and eight smaller sculptures surrounding, each worked on by its own team. The theme for the sculptures will be “Fantastic Beasts.” The Beasts will be lit at night, so be sure to come back and see them in their full glory.

Maine Sport will provide free demos of Fat Tire Bikes, snowshoes, and more.
 
“Winterfest started as a Winter Carnival in 1936, and the Library looks forward to bringing that time-honored tradition back to life,” the library said in the release.
 
Inside the library, Miss Amy will have themed crafts and face painting from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., and All That Jazz will perform live jazz favorites at 1 p.m.
 
Winterfest is generously sponsored by First National Bank. 
 
Note that Atlantic Avenue will be closed to traffic for the morning of February 2. If you are in need of handicap accessible parking, call the library at 236-3440 and staff open the gate for you.   
 
Camden Winterfest 2019 is a week-long celebration of winter with outdoor and indoor activities, beginning with ice carving and culminating with the Toboggan Nationals. From the opening celebration in the Amphitheatre to the closing victory celebration at the Toboggan Nationals, Camden Winterfest is a lively winter phenomenon for families, visitors, and teammates, according to the release.

Winterfest builds on the traditions of the ice-carving Winterfest celebration begun fifteen years ago, and the Toboggan Nationals that began over twenty-five years ago on the restored toboggan chute at the Snow Bowl.

“It promises to be a dynamic, community-based festival full of mid-winter activities for all,” the release said. “You can ‘Like’ Winterfest on Facebook to keep up to date on the schedule and see pictures from all the fun as it happens!”
 
Winterfest Week Events:
 
Saturday and Sunday, February 2 and 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Midwinter Book Sale in the Meadow Parking Lot by the Camden Library Amphitheatre.

Polar Plunge, 11 a.m.
 
Tuesday, February 5, at 6 p.m.: Family Movie Night at the Camden Public Library - Frozen. 
 
Wednesday, February 6, at 6 p.m.: Delightful family theatre event with old-fashioned clown duo “Pinot and Augustine” at the Opera House, $5 per person, under-five-years free. Tickets available at the Camden Public Library, or at the door. 
 
Thursday, February 7, at 7:30 p.m.: Mallett Brothers with Oshima Brothers at the Opera House, $22.
 
Friday and Saturday, February 8 and 9, at 7 p.m., Sunday, 4 p.m.: Banff Mountain Film Festival, at Strom Auditorium, $12.
 
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 8 - 10: Toboggan National Championships, at the Snow Bowl. 
 
Saturday and Sunday, February 8 and 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Midwinter Book Sale in the Meadow Parking Lot by the Camden Library Amphitheatre.