Cooperstown Winter Carnival Returns

COOPERSTOWN – The Cooperstown Winter Carnival Committee is pleased to announce details about this year’s Cooperstown Winter Carnival! Organized by members of the community under the umbrella of the local Lions Club, the iconic New York tradition will feature indoor and outdoor events for all ages with most events free to the public. 

This year’s theme “A Time To Shine In Wintertime”, submitted by H. Stephen Phillips, celebrates the whimsical, uplifting spirit of winter, setting the stage for a vibrant mid- season celebration for both locals and visitors. The 57th Cooperstown Winter Carnival kicks off Thursday evening, January 30 and continues through Sunday, February 2, 2025.

This fun-filled annual event starts off in grand style at The Otesaga Resort Hotel with an unforgettable opening night, featuring hot chocolate, a spectacular fireworks display, and a special commemorative address by Cooperstown’s Mayor, Ellen Tillapaugh. 

The festivities continue throughout the weekend with an array of exciting events, including the Fenimore Quilt Club Show, Family Movie Night, Friends of the Village Library Book Sale, Village Scavenger Hunt, and Trivia Night. Outdoor fun awaits at Lake Front Park with sledding, a Snowpal Making Contest, and free ice skating at Badger Park. Check out Pioneer Park for a huge ice slide sponsored by Fly Creek Cider Mill. The carnival also features a visit from the Utica Zoo, retail events, live music performances, and the first-ever Snow Globe Disco Party, with much more to explore.

The weekend concludes with the highly anticipated return of the Cooperstown Winter Carnival’s Blizzard Bash. This exciting event serves as a lively celebration to mark the final day of the 2025 Winter Carnival. Open to all, the free event promises fun for the whole family, featuring face painting, a bouncy house, and the chance to witness live ice sculpting by Aaron Pencar, as frozen masterpieces come to life! To stay warm, guests can gather around a bonfire and warming station, while DJ Raphael spins tunes to keep the energy up. The highlight of the day will be the mesmerizing Tesla Car Light Show, where synchronized light sequences will transform vehicles into a dazzling mobile spectacle. The Blizzard Bash will take place on Sunday, February 2, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Doubleday Field Parking Lot. Limited parking spaces for the tailgate are free and available to the public. The tailgate is BYO food and drink. To register for a space please email cooperstownwintercarnival@gmail.com.

This year’s Cooperstown Winter Carnival honors the legacy of two cherished community members, Linda Schuermann and Hank Phillips, who both served as committee chairs. Until 1991, the carnival had no official theme, but a "Walking Snowman" illustration appeared on several event brochures, a design created by Linda Schuermann. Linda also made history as one of the first female chair in 1987. Coincidentally, this year’s winter carnival theme was submitted by the son of Hank Phillips, who was on the first-ever winter carnival committee. Both Linda and Hank, who recently passed away, will be deeply missed. In their honor, this year’s Cooperstown Winter Carnival pin will feature Linda’s original hand-drawn snowman. The commemorative pin will be available for $5 at various locations around Cooperstown, including Tin Bin Alley, The Local Bird, Beverage Exchange and Lamb Realty. All proceeds will benefit future Winter Carnivals.

For a complete listing of 2025 Cooperstown Winter Carnival events visit www.cooperstownwintercarnival.com. Please note all events are subject to change due to inclement weather. The Cooperstown Winter Carnival is produced under the umbrella of the local Lions Club and is a volunteer-run committee that relies on donations to fulfill its mission of bringing winter fun to Cooperstown