It happens, as it does, every year – that is to say, without warning. One evening, Northpoint’s residents retire inside for the evening, trading in the neighborly hustle and bustle of the cold sidewalks for their elaborate table dressings and roaring fires. They put on their nighttime finery and slip into bed, perhaps looking forward to their day off or finishing up that last report for school or work and getting one day closer to the weekend. Alarms are set, eyemasks are applied, and the town waits for dawn.
Even that first, weak morning light reveals something… strange. Elaborate ice sculptures have wandered into the town gardens: scenes of whimsy and fantasy, captured in crystal. (Rumor has it, if you’re very patient, you can see them move.) A small sign, propped nearby in the snow, announces that you can add your own bit of artwork to the ice museum – already, excited groups are breaking off, discussing their ideas for this year’s sculpture. No ----- the winter festival came without warning, but that doesn’t mean the good citizens of Northpoint weren’t looking forward to it. The young and the young-at-heart race for the ice rink set up in the town center, where a winter garden complete with gazebos, benches, and twinkling lights beckon at those who need a break from the ice.
Elsewhere, Northpoint’s artists and young artists from the university are setting up shop at the small pop-up shots that appeared along the wharfs at the shopping center. From romantic seascapes to edgy political statements, the art market is the perfect excuse to stroll the wharfs with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee (and if you’re with the right company, you might just have a flask to spike it with) from Franco’s or the grocer’s. In the evenings, the hot chocolate is paired with the finest reds and whites for evening wine tastings at Franco’s whilst couples and groups of friends wander and weave and consider the art.
Later, faces across Northpoint light up as they find a simple, snow white envelope in their postbox - there's no return address, and only their family names embossed on the front in real gold leaf, an invitation to a ball to be held at the Town Hall. Balls are neither rare nor new in Northpoint, but they are always lavish and allow for all the glamour and drama of eras gone by, all with the trappings of truly opulent wealth. The next evening, whether hungover or fresh as a daisy, townspeople young and old alike drag blankets and sleeping bags to the beach. Known - unofficially, of course - as Fire and Ice, bonfires and fire pits blaze on while flasks, snacks, and stories are shared while the townspeople mingle and celebrate another winter.
Though it's a far cry from the quiet celebrations that those first Dutch settlers may have enjoyed, each year's Winter Festival is something to be remembered. So put on your favorite sweater and warmest socks, get looking for the perfect gown or suit, and cozy up to someone special ---- because the festival has come to town!
Ice Skating Rink & Winter Gardens All week at the Town Gardens.
Winter Arts Market All week at the Waterfront Shoppes.
Sculpture Garden All week at the Town Gardens.
Ice Sculpture Competition Tuesday, Jan. 24th. at the Town Gardens.
Ice Ball Thursday, Jan. 26th. at the Town Hall.
Ice Ball After Party Thursday, Jan. 26th at Banshee.
Fire & Ice Friday, Jan. 27th at the beach.
Details: This will be a dashboard event, open to absolutely anyone and everyone! As listed above, there will be daily events as well as activities that span over the entire week - this is an event that will span from Sunday, January 22nd to Saturday, January 28th. Please tag all of your starters with both nprpopen and nprpwinterfest! We would also love to see your winter festival aesthetics, outfits, and social media- so get creative, and share the fun!
