By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
WOODLAND — Puxatawny Phil can keep Groundhog Day —the real fun starts on Saturday, Feb. 2 when woochucks of all ages turn out for the annual Woodland Winter Carnival.
This is the 54th year that the members of the Woodland PTA have hosted the highly entertaining day packed with fun, friendly youth races — save the one highly-competitive adult tubing race held this year at 10:10 a.m.
The ski, showshoe, tubing and other races are held between 8:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m., ensuring a fun-filled morning.
Even though temperatures are slated for the high teens for the big event, members of the Woodland PTA are reminding everyone to dress warm and bring extra mittens.
For those who need a place to thaw out a bit during a long morning of races, the school gymnasium will be open for folks to socialize, have a cocoa or a coffee and purchase a bite to eat. Steamed hot dogs, sandwiches, chips, soda and punch will be available for sale until noon.
Once the races are completed — all 40 of them — the new Woodland Winter Carnival royalty will be crowned in the gymnasium. The King and Queen are selected based on their performance during the annual speaking contest, held this year on Thursday, Jan. 31.
There is a chance, however, that winter carnival might be postponed until Saturday, Feb. 9 if Mother Nature melts too much snow later this week.
A high of over 40 degrees is forecast for today and tomorrow — both “warm” days are also are anticipated to bring a pretty significant chance of rain showers.
Whether or not the fun event is held this weekend or next, Friday will kick off Woodchuck Day at the Woodland Elementary School — students, staff and faculty will be wearing their school spirit on their sleeves, donning the very pro-woodchuck colors of blue and white.
