South Portland Winter Fest to go on as planned – sort of

SOUTH PORTLAND — South Portland’s inaugural Winter Festival, delayed two weeks for lack of winter, will go on this weekend regardless of the weather.

“It’s absolutely a go, I don’t care what the weather does,” festival Chairman Dan Mooers said Tuesday afternoon.

Originally slated for Feb. 3-4, the festival was put off when it became clear that Mill Creek Pond, site to a number of events, was not solid enough to hold up to the expected onslaught of skaters.

Mooers says the pond appears in better condition now, thanks in part to the overnight water treatments he and his fellow members of the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club have applied for the past week, on top of the intensive snow-making drills they’ve run for the past month.

However, on the off chance a tropical blast blows through by Friday, there could be a few minor alterations to the festivities. Not much can stop the “human sled-dog” races and snowshoe events in Thomas Knight Park, but Mill Creek Pond activities, which will go on at the announced times, at or near their original locations, could experience a slight summerification of the itinerary.

“The All-Star pond hockey game will become street hockey, and chuck-a-puck will be played on the lawn,” said Mooers.

In addition the curling event, slated to use frozen turkeys in place of the traditional Scottish stones, will become a rubber chicken toss.

“You’ve got to plan for every contingency,” said Mooers. “Right now, I’m looking at eight rubber chickens on my desk, so nothing’s going to stop us. Today, the pond is great. It’s in really good shape. But there’s going to be a park full of activities no matter what happens.”