By MATT LINDSEY

CANTON -- Canton’s 24th Winterfest celebration will offer 11 days of family-friendly activities from Feb. 4 through 14, featuring the chamber dinner, sporting events, music, food, a play, an indoor garage sale and craft sale, outdoors activities and more.

Winterfest buttons will return, offering the chance to win several prizes.

“They cost $2 each and the grand prize is an overnight stay in Lake Placid. Other prizes include several gift certificates and gift baskets from local businesses,” according to Sally Hill, executive director of the Canton Chamber of Commerce, which organized the annual event.

Prizes include gift certificates to Coakley Carpet One Ace Hardware and Save-A-Lot, a gift basket from White’s Flowers and a three month pass to SUNY Canton’s fitness center. The winners will be drawn at the end of Winterfest.

Highlights for sports and outdoors enthusiasts include the Polar Bear Golf Classic, twilight sledding, local hockey and basketball games, public skating and a broomball tournament.

“Broomball is new this year and is becoming very popular in the area and should be fun to watch,” Hill said.

Those looking to indulge in food and drink should be sure to check out various wine tastings, a bake sale, pancake breakfast, fish fry, sushi making and “Cabin Fever Coffee and Dessert Night.”

Entertainment offerings include The Grasse River Players original docudrama “Spirit Whispers on the Grass,” a scrapbooking event, musicians, movies, historical presentations and stage makeup workshop.

Highlights of Canton Winterfest include:

Thursday Feb. 4

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.

“Last year was wonderful and each year there is more and more interest,” Hill said.

Many area businesses donate products, services, gift certificates and gift baskets for the auction.

“The auction is kind of like a silent auction except people can write their bids on a sheet of paper and see what others have bid to try to win…its fun.” she said.

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

The chamber will honor Jeff Proulx, owner of Save-A-Lot, as their chamber member of the year. The Church and Community Program will be presented the chamber recognition award for their commitment to improving the community.

Hill said Proulx was well-deserving of the award for his willingness to help locally with sports teams and his holiday-time food program.

“From providing food to families to putting people up in a motel after a fire, they (Church and Community Program) do so much for people,” she said.

Hill says the event draws different people each year depending on who the awards are being given to as well as the usual crowd.

The Canton Central girl’s basketball team will play against Ogdensburg at 7:15 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 5

Get into the swing of things on Friday at the 16th annual Polar Bear Golf Classic planned for a 10 a.m. start at the St. Lawrence University Golf and Country Club and Best Western University Inn. Outdoor enthusiasts can plan 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. The event is sponsored by the Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country. Info: Tammy Beaudin at 386-1156.

Other highlights Friday include a TAUNY Jam at 53 Main St. at 7 p.m. with hosts Barb Heller and Gretchen Koehler. A wine tasting will be held at the VFW, 34 Gouverneur St., from 4 to 8 p.m. Admission is $5 and there will be cheese, crackers, a silent auction and raffles.

Twilight sledding will be hosted at the SUNY Canton sled hill near parking lot 1. Hot chocolate and treats will be served.

Saturday, Feb. 6

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.

Stop by Coakley's Carpet One-Ace Hardware, 2525 State Highway 68, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to watch Terry McKendree perform chainsaw carvings.

The Grasse River Players are sponsoring a workshop on how to apply stage makeup. It will be held at the Canton Free Library from 1 until 2:30 p.m. and costs $3 per person.

The Cabin Fever Coffee & Dessert Night will benefit the Women of Grace Widows Fund. It takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. and admission is $5. There will be raffles.

A wine tasting at Riverside Liquors, Riverside Drive, will be held from 2 until 4 p.m. with several white and red wine samples.

Sunday, Feb. 7

Take it easy Sunday morning and enjoy a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Canton Rotary Club from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is $8 and kids under age five eat free. There will be a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit scholarships for Canton Central students.

Monday, Feb. 8

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. A soup and bread dinner at St. Mary’s Church will precede the music from 5 to 6 p.m.

The Knights of Columbus will award a special “Warm Your Heart” basket during bingo at the KoC Hall on Miner Street at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 9

GardenShare will present the film “Back to the Basics for Fighting Hunger,” a short film about fighting hunger through policy work on a national level. It will be held at Unitarian Universalist Church, 3 1/2 East Main St. at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 10

Enjoy a free meal at the Methodist Church, Court Street, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Donations accepted but not expected.

Nature’s Storehouse, 21 Main St., will host a workshop from 6:30 until 8 p.m. on how to make vegetarian sushi. The cost is $5 or $10 for families with proceeds being donated to the Church and Community Program food pantry.

Following dinner the Canton Free Library will screen a free movie at 6 p.m. in Paige Room. Popcorn will be served but kids should bring a drink, pillow and blanket. The movie explores the emotions of joy, fear, anger, disgust and sadness.

Thursday, Feb. 11

The St. Lawrence Land Trust will sponsor a talk on local river, the “State of the River Talk,” at 7 p.m. at the Grasse River Heritage Room, 1 Riverside Dr. The speaker will be St. Lawrence University professor Dr. Jeffrey Chiarenzelli.

Friday, Feb. 12

Celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend by sending a singing valentine to a loved one. Canton Goldenaires will travel around St. Lawrence County singing starting at 8 a.m. To order a singing valentine call 379-9848 and ask for Vickie.

The Canton Edward John Noble Hospital Guild will host a lunch offering soups including vegetable beef, cream of broccoli and butternut squash. It takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Methodist Church. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for kids. There will be a bake sale as well.

Bessette’s Wine and Liquor, 37 Gouverneur St., will host a wine tasting from 3 to 6 p.m. with several wine samples and cheese and crackers.

Fill up at the fish fry at the Canton VFW, 34 Gouverneur St., from 4 to 7 p.m. The cost is ( for adults, $8 seniors, $5 ages 6-12 and free for over age 90 and under age five.

The Grasse River Players will perform their docudrama with music about the forgotten soles of the Canton Poor House, “Spirit Whispers on the Grass,” held at Sykes Hall on St. Lawrence University campus at 7 p.m. Admission is $6.

Saturday, Feb. 13

Find a hidden treasure from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Canton FFA 9th annual Indoor Garage Sale and Craft Fair at Banford Elementary school in the cafeteria, gym and hallways. Admission is $1. There will be door prizes with all proceeds to support the cost of students to attend the 91st annual NYS FFA Convention. Info: Carol at 386-8561 ext. 3132.

A broomball tournament starts at 10 a.m. at the Canton Pavilion outdoor rink. The cost is $100 per team of players ages 16 years old and above. Each team is guaranteed at least three games. Prizes will be awarded. Register by Feb. 1 with Tim at 212-0502.

TAUNY, 53 Main St., will host an exhibit opening, and pea soup and johnnycake lunch. “Materials Remains: One Woman’s Life through the Eye of Her Needle,” will be showcased. The interactive exhibit explores the traditional work of rural women through the example of Louie Barrows Lowe, born in 1876. The lunch takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Children can learn about famous storm at the St. Lawrence County Historical Association from 11 a.m. until noon. Kids will make a craft too.

A mite and mini-mite tournament will be held all day at the Canton Pavilion. There will be concessions and raffles.

The Deep Root Center will host games and crafts from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 7 Main St., second floor.

A Wounded Warrior pool tournament is set to begin at noon at the Canton VFW, 34 Gouverneur St. The cost is $20 and limited to the first 24 people. Info: 386-8953.

Ye Old Liquor, University Plaza, will host a wine tasting from 3 to 7 p.m. with a variety of wines, cheese and crackers.

The Grasse River Players will perform two sets of their docudrama with music about the forgotten soles of the Canton Poor House, “Spirit Whispers on the Grass,” held at Sykes Hall on St. Lawrence University campus at 3 and 7 p.m. Admission is $6

Sunday, Feb. 14

“War Room” will screen for free at the Morley Wesleyan Church, 7230 County Route 27, at 4 p.m.

Skating schedule

Skating for adults, tots and seniors will be held Feb. 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, and 12 from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Public skating is set for Feb. 5 from 2:30-3:50 p.m., Feb. 6 from 2:30-4:15 p.m., Feb. 7 from 3-4:15 p.m., Feb. 13 from 2:30-4:15 p.m. and Feb. 14 from 3-4:45 p.m.

Weather permitting, there will be outdoor skating daily from 10 a.m. to noon, 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Inside skating is $ per person over age six and free for ages five and under. Skate rentals are $3 a pair. Sizes range from junior size 9 through adult 13.

“It’s been a mild winter…but it’s still winter and this is a fun event for everyone with lots of events for kids and sporting events and food and music,” Hill said.