By MATT LINDSEY

CANTON -- Canton Winterfest will offer 10 days of family-friendly events from Feb. 5 through 15 featuring a snow sculpture contest, sporting events, concerts, food, free movies and more.

Snow sculptures can be created throughout Winterfest with judging taking place Saturday Feb. 14.

All individuals, groups and businesses are welcome to participate…choose your location, size and shape of your creation, according to Canton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sally Hill.

Register with Elaine White at ewhite@stlawu.edu or 229-5311.

“From hockey to history…we have a little something for everybody,” she said.

Winterfest buttons will return which offers discounts at many stores and the chance to win several prizes.

“They cost $2 each and the grand prize is an overnight stay in Lake Placid valued at $200. Other prizes include several gift certificates and gift baskets from local businesses,” she said.

Here are some highlights for day’s events:

Thursday Feb. 5

The annual chamber celebration dinner will be held at Eben Holden on St. Lawrence University campus. Displays and cocktails are set for 6 p.m. with dinner and at 7 p.m. The buffet dinner costs $38.

“We expect this to be one of the biggest turnouts for the dinner ever,” Hill said.

“Our businesses are so generous with donations for our auction…we are so lucky,” she said.

A cash bar and an auction will take place on the main dining floor along with business displays, according to Hill.

Friday, Feb. 6

Highlights include a First Friday Jam at TAUNY, 53 Main St., with hosts Barb Heller and Gretchen Koehler at 7 p.m.

Twilight sledding for kids and adults will be offered at 7 p.m. at the SUNY Canton sled hill near parking lot 1. Hot chocolate and donuts will be served.

Saturday, Feb. 7

A scrapbooking event is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 30 Miner St. The cost is $15 and includes lunch. A consultant will provide tips and ideas with some break out demonstrations. Info: Sherry at 379-0419.

The senior sweetheart sale hosted by Canton senior citizens will include a bake sale, Avon and Tastefully Simple products at 35 Riverside Dr. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Canton Minor Hockey- Mini Mite/Mite Team will host their second annual Bear Classic at the Canton Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The competitive tournament involves 16 surrounding teams including Canton. Other activities include silent auction baskets, a 50/50 raffle, balloon animals and food.

“This will be an all day event for hockey lovers,” she said.

Stop by Coakley's Carpet One-Ace Hardware, 2525 State Highway 68, to watch Terry McKendree perform chainsaw carvings.

The 15th annual Little River Winter Festival will be held on the Canton Russell Road from 1 to 4 p.m. Outdoor events include sledding and snow castle building. Indoor activities include music, craft projects and warm beverages. Info: 379-9474.

TAUNY and the St. Lawrence University Contra Club will host a contra dance at TAUNY, 53 Main St. Admission is $5.

Sunday, Feb. 8

The Canton Rotary Club will hold a pancake breakfast at the Best Western University Inn, 90 East Main St., from 8 a.m. until noon. The cost is $7 and kids under age five eat free.

Monday, Feb. 9

Frank Colbert, a bagpiper from Norfolk will conduct several concerts at local churches starting at 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, then the Grace Episcopal, the First Baptist, the Unitarian Universalist and ending at the United Methodist Church for music and refreshments.

“People just love following the bagpiper from church to church…and the sound of the bagpipes in the cold as it echoes through the village,” Hill said.

Tuesday, Feb. 10

GardenShare will present the film “The Greenhorns,” a documentary that explores the lives of Americas’ young farming community, it's spirit, practices and needs. It will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3 1/2 East Main St. at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 11

A free will dinner will be served at the Methodist Church, 41Court St., from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

The Canton Free Library, 8 Park St., will show a free movie downstairs in the Paige Room at 6 p.m. Popcorn will be served, but children should bring a beverage, pillow and blanket.

Nature's Storehouse, 21 Main St., will teach how to make vegetarian sushi between 6:30 and 8 p.m. Free. For more information call 315-386-3740.

Thursday, Feb. 12

TAUNY, 53 Main St., will host the opening of the “HOME-made: Original and Traditional Mohawk Works” exhibit from 5 to 7 p.m. Mohawk artist Sue Ellen Herne will present original works around the theme of arts made at home and arts that make one's home the unique. Light refreshments provided.

Moms and Tots are invited to shake up the winter blues by meeting at the Morley Activity Center, 7254 CR 27 for a play-date from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.. Participants can bring tricycles, big wheels, and scooters for their preschooler to ride in the gym. A warm beverage bar and snacks will be available.

The 16th annual Polar Bear Golf Classic returns to the St. Lawrence University Golf and Country Club and Best Western University Inn. Outdoor enthusiasts can play the nine-hole, par 3 tournament in the snow, and enjoy food, warm drinks, contests and prizes. Entry fee is $40 for golf and dinner or $25 for golf or dinner. Info: Tammy Beaudin at 386-1156.

A “Historical Photograph Walk” is set at Partridge Knoll Community Center, 30 Sullivan Dr., at 1:30 p.m. There will be glass plate negatives and other older photos of Canton in its early days and the changes over the years. There will be light refreshments.

Friday, Feb. 13

The Grasse River Players will present the play “Spoon River Anthology” by Edgar Lee Masters at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3 ½ East Main St., at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

A wine tasting is set from 3 to 6 p.m. at Bessette's Wine and Liquor, 37 Gouverneur St. Several different wines will be available to sample and cheese and crackers will be served.

The Canton Area Zonta Club will host its 8th annual “Local Wine Tasting” from 4 to 8 p.m. at Dave's (upstairs). Tickets are $4 in advance and $5 at the door.

Saturday, Feb. 14

Canton FFA 8th annual Indoor Garage Sale and Craft Fair will be held in the Banford Elementary cafeteria, gymnasium and hallways from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $1. Door prizes will be drawn every 30 minutes. Proceeds go toward the cost associated with students attending the 90th Annual NYS FFA Convention. Info: Carol Wright at 386-8561 ext. 3132 or cwright@ccsdk12.org.

The Battle of Ogdensburg/War of 1812 will be discussed from 11 a.m. to noon for ages 4 to 10 at the St. Lawrence County Historical Association, 3 East Main St.

The VFW will host a pool tournament to benefit Wounded Warrior Sled Hockey. Register from 11 a.m. to noon. The cost is $10. The winner will receive $225. Info: 386-8953.

The Grasse River Players will present the play “Spoon River Anthology” by Edgar Lee Masters at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3 ½ East Main St., at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Ye Old Liquor, University Plaza, will hold a wine tasting from 3 to 7 p.m. A variety of wines will be available and cheese and crackers will be served.

“Brochures will be available around town and I just want to invite everyone to come out and enjoy the fun and variety of activities we have planned…as well as lots of good food. It should be a good time,” she said.

For more details and a full schedule, see our Winterfest Tabloid, included in North Country This Week