Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

01/23/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/23/2025 15:19

DEEP to Host 19th Annual No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival February 1st

Press Releases

01/23/2025

DEEP to Host 19th Annual No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival February 1st

Bundle up for Free Outdoor Winter Fun for the Entire Family! Inclement Weather Date of Sunday, February 2, If Needed

(HARTFORD, CT) - Winter is a great time to celebrate the outdoors with your friends, family, co-workers, or anyone who loves the crisp New England weather! The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) invites the public to join DEEP's No Child Left Inside® 19th annual Winter Festival at Burr Pond State Park, 384 Burr Mountain Road, Torrington on Saturday, February 1, 2025, 10 am to 3 pm.

Multiple fun outdoor winter activities for the entire family are planned for this year's Winter Festival. Updates and photos will be posted on Connecticut State Parks social media accounts. The Winter Festival is a partnership between DEEP's No Child Left Inside®and Fish with CARE - Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education programs along with the City of Torrington.

"The Winter Festival is a great way for families to engage with nature and have fun at beautiful Burr Pond State Park," said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. "There are plenty of free and fun winter activities to partake in, and thanks to the Passport to the Parks program, residents arriving in CT registered vehicles, can visit this and all 110 state parks year around, for no charge!"

Activities planned for the day, depending on outdoor conditions, include winter games, bonfires, outdoor play, marshmallow roasting, winter hikes, visits from Resources in Search and Rescue as well as Connecticut Valley Siberian Husky Club, DEEP's Environmental Conservation Police, Chuckles the Groundhog from the Lutz Children's Museum, Torrington Library, Torrington Police and Fire and much more.

The NCLI Winter Festival is free, and registration is not required; everyone is welcome to attend. There will be a variety of interesting and adventurous outdoor activities for the entire family to experience together! Ice fishing will take place pending safe ice conditions - announcement will be made by Thursday, January 30th on DEEP social media platforms. DEEP's Fish with CARE staff and volunteer fishing coaches will be on hand to demonstrate and teach ice fishing techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to borrow a tip-up and/or jigging rod and try ice fishing with expert help from Fish with CARE coaches! Dress for the cold weather, wear insulated winter boots, and bring a sense of fun adventure.

"The annual Winter Festival Event allows families and those interested in being outdoors during the winter months to embrace the crisp air, fresh snow, and ice," said Acting State Parks Director Jeremy Hall. "The event allows for exploring nature in new ways, whether its snowshoeing, ice fishing, building ice sculptures, hiking, or just visiting with the various partners that conduct outdoor winter-themed programs. It's a time for families to embrace the unique thrill and tranquility that only winter recreation can offer."

CT Boy Scout Troop 1 will also be selling food at the event (cash only).

Limited on-site parking is available at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington and at the Burr Pond Boat Launch Ramp. Additional off-site parking is available during the event at the nearby Burrville Fire Training School located on Burr Mountain Road in Torrington and at RBC Bearings Aircraft Products Inc. located at 2788 Winsted Road in Torrington. Shuttles run between the event and these parking locations throughout the day during event hours. Please note that the last shuttle leaves Burr Pond for the off-site parking areas at 3:00 pm.

Please note:

DEEP reminds those venturing outdoors in the cold winter that safety comes first. Ice thickness varies on all water bodies due to several environmental factors including in-lake water circulatory patterns, snow cover and the type and amounts of recent precipitation. Please visit DEEP's Ice safety page: www.ct.gov/deep/icesafetyto learn more about ice safety.

Keeping Warm Outdoors During the Winter

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) www.healthychildren.orghas some valuable tips on how to keep children safe and warm on a cold winter day.

  • Dress infantsand childrenwarmly for outdoor activities. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Remember warm boots, gloves, or mittens (to keep hands warmer), and a hat. Layering is a good idea as are moisture-wicking fabrics and clothing that's geared to the sport.
  • The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.
  • The sun's rays can still cause sunburnin the winter, especially when they reflect off snow. Make sure to cover your child's exposed skin with sunscreen.

Visit the CT State Parks Calendar of Eventsfor more programs. For directions to Burr Pond State Park: Burr Pond State Park | Connecticut State Parks and Forests

Members of the media are invited to attend at any time during the event, but please be advised that staff are available for interviews between 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM and between 1:00-1:30 PM.

Established in 1913, the mission of the Connecticut State Park System is to provide natural resource-based public recreational and educational opportunities through a system of state park and forest recreation areas, environmental centers, and nature centers that provide an understanding of, access to, and enjoyment of, the state's historic, cultural and natural resources. Connecticut has 110 state parks and 32 state forests attracting around 17 million visitors each year, generating over $1 billion in economic activity for the state and supporting 9,000 private sector jobs. Those driving Connecticut registered motor vehicles are provided free entrance to the parks thanks to the Passport to the Parks program. For more information on Connecticut State Parks visit: Connecticut State Parks and Forests (ctparks.com)

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Contact

DEEP Communications
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860-424-3110