WinterFest to honor memory of local boy

SCARBOROUGH — Scarborough’s 24^th annual WinterFest, set for Saturday, will include a tribute to the short but heroic life of Kyle St. Clair, a local boy who died last week at age 8 following a lifelong battle with lung and digestive issues.

Steve Kramer, an organizer with event sponsor Scarborough Community Services, said a silent auction will be held near the ice skating area for two Boston Celtic tickets, with all proceeds to be donated to charity in Kyle’s name.

“It will probably go to the Robbie Fund, which is a charity the family supports,” said Kramer on Tuesday. ”There may be other things arranged as well, but that’s the only things that’s definite right now.”

The free-admission family festival will take place on the Scarborough High School athletic fields and at the nearby outdoor ice rinks, beginning with a noontime bonfire.

Snow sculpture events get under way at 12:30 p.m. in three divisions (family, under 12, and over 13) with judging to be done at 4 p.m.

Competition for festival king and queen get under way at 2:30 p.m. on the lower ring, with points awarded in slalom skating, speed skating, backward skating and obstacle course events. The high scorers will be crowned at 5:20 p.m., following the popular fireworks display, set to launch at 5 p.m.

This year also sees the return of the “royal family” competition begun last year, with three events on the turf field. In addition to a snow shoe obstacle course, and the human sled dog race – a “very popular” event last year, says Kramer – a “snow sling” competition has been added to the schedule.

“It’s like a giant water-balloon sling, if you’ve seen one of those, only using snowballs,” said Kramer. “It’s safe and fun for the whole family. Whoever can launch a snowball the furthest down the field will be the winner.”

The royal family will be crowned along with the king and queen.

Among other festival highlights, Frosty the Snowman will visit at the ice rink closest to Wentworth Intermediate School.

Other games include milk jug curling at 12:30 p.m. and a Score-O competition at 2 p.m., both on the upper rink. There also will be ice cube hunts for younger children sponsored by Town and County Federal Credit Union on the Wentworth playground at 1:45 and 2:30 p.m.

Families can also take wagon rides from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available throughout the festival as will ice carving demonstrations by Wicked Good Ice. Children can visit municipal plow and fire trucks next to the ice rinks from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 20, will be the make-up date for the winter festival in case of inclement weather.