By LISA HOOVER

CANTON -- Canton¹s Winterfest is in full swing this weekend, with highlights including chainsaw carving, a Frozen Foote race, a gala and an art exhibit.

The chainsaw carving by Terry McKendree will be Feb. 15 at Coakley¹s Carpet One-Ace Hardware, Outer West Main Street, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The four-mile Frozen Foote race will be Saturday, Feb. 9 at St. Lawrence University, with registration at 9:30 a.m. for $2. Registration is free with a Winterfest button.

North Country artists will be taking part in Winterfest as well, with a TAUNY exhibit at 53 Main St. and the St. Lawrence County Art¹s Council¹s Transition Gala. The exhibit will feature work by local artisans Saturday, Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Transition Gala will also be Feb. 9 and will run from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Crary Mills Grange Hall. Minor Swing and North Bound will provide music for dancing, and dinner and a silent auction will also take place. A $20 donation is suggested.

For other events, check the NorthCountryNow.com Seven-Day Calendar at http://northcountrynow.com/calendar/saturday

Winterfest is a good way for local shops to attract people, according to Sally Hill, executive director of the Canton Chamber of Commerce. "It¹s just a fun time," she said.

Hill said that everyone attending Winterfest should buy a $2 Winterfest button for the chance to earn a prize. Most of the events "don¹t cost anything," she explained. "The buttons pay for almost everything."

While the weather may impact a few Winterfest events, most will go on regardless, Hill said. It "doesn¹t look like the snow sculptures are going to look good," she said, and SUNY Canton sledding might not be able to take place. Other events will continue with or without snow.

This includes a Monday, Feb. 11 tour of Canton¹s churches with bagpiper Frank Colber. "The colder it is the eerier it sounds," Hill said. In the past even below zero temperatures haven¹t dampened enthusiasm for the event, with a "good 50 people following him," Hill continued. The event is a popular one, she said. ³Little kids that can barely walk are standing in the aisles dancing.²

The Polar Bear Golf nine-hole, par-three tournament will take place at St. Lawrence University¹s Golf & Country Club and Best Western University Inn Thursday, Feb. 14. Food, drinks, contests, prizes and back massages will be included. For dinner and golf the fee will be $40. Golf or dinner alone will be $25. For more information contact Mackenzie Taylor at 386-1156.

Snow sculptures may appear on the corner of W. Main and Gouvneruer Streets and at other downtown locations, if the weather cooperates. Anyone may take part in the sculpting throughout Winterfest by contacting Elaine White at ewhite@stlawu.edu or 339-5311.

The Grasse River Players will show the 1939 Broadway hit ³The Philadelphia Story² Thursday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The play will be held at the Miles Theatre, Griffiths Arts Center, St. Lawrence University. Tickets will be $8, free for SLU students.