ANDOVER — Curling, ice skating and fishing are some of the activities families can enjoy when the annual Winter Fest makes its return to Pomps Pond in February.
The Conservation Department and Recreation Departments, with help from Youth Services, will host the free, family-friendly event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 1 at Rec Park Beach at Pomps Pond, 147 Abbot St. The ice fishing derby begins at 8 a.m. and if weather permitting based on ice conditions.
Winter Fest started out as a Conservation Department endeavor led by former Conservation Director Bob Douglas, who retired from the town after getting the annual outdoor event up and running.
It started out as an “ad hoc” event to promote nature in the wintertime with a campfire set up at the pond for people to enjoy each other’s company. The now multi-departmental effort grew by adding different activities over the years which broadened the interest for more people to go and became a unique way to utilize Pomps Pond in the winter.
“It’s at a time of year when there’s not a lot of other outdoor activities going on and it’s something great in our community for people to attend,” Conservation agent Benjamin Meade said. “It’s social and fun and gets people together at a time of year when the urge to hibernate is certainly prevalent.”
Favorites activities like Zoo New England’s turtle tracking, volunteer-led hikes and an old-time ice harvesting demonstration are slated to return. Curling, ice skating and a fish derby are all planned, depending on the weather. The conservation team will assess the ice the week of Winter Fest to make sure it’s safe.
Andover Fire Rescue will demonstrate its ice rescue training. Animal control officer Katie Kozikowski and safety officer Glen Ota will be on hand to answer any questions and Sgt. Steven Gerroir is expected to put together a drone demonstration.
Fire pits will be set up for roasting marshmallows. Free hot dogs, s’mores and hot chocolate will be provided courtesy of the Recreation and Youth Center staff. Oak and Iron Brewing Co. will also return with a beer garden.
Recreation programming at Pomps Pond typically takes place from June to August. There are some fishing classes in the spring and fall and people fish and kayak at the pond in the offseason, but the winter isn’t usually the time when people think to visit, Recreation Assistant Director of Operations Jeffrey Newman said.
“This event draws in a lot of people to see a very different form that Pomps Pond takes and the amenities we have for the community down there,” he said.
Last year’s Winter Fest had a thick sheet of 10-inches of solid ice that allowed people to get out on the pond for the fishing derby, skating and curling. Families also glided across the ice on kick sleds.
Several families and children told Meade it was their first time safely walking on ice.
As long as the ice is good to go, Tom Brunton from Phillips Academy will be back to instruct curling and give families a better understanding of the sport. Curling was a hit last year and ties sparked enthusiasm for it with the Winter Olympics coming up, Meade said.
Kids ages 17 and younger can take part in the ice fishing derby which is volunteer driven. The kids’ derby, organized by fire Lt. Robert Dalton, returned in 2025 after a few warmer years without it.
“The concept of catching fish through the ice is a novel concept and we love being able to show people how that works,” Meade said.
Local Gyotaku artist Patti Fielding will also be back to do fish paintings for the derby winners. Gyotaku, or fish rubbing, is a Japanese technique of printing fish dating back to the mid 1800s when fishermen used the printing method to record their catches.
Fielding sent prints of the winning fish to the derby winners last year. Meade described it as a special memento for the kids to remember their prized catches.
Conservation volunteer Craig Liversidge will bring his 200-year-old antique saw to show how ice was cut hundreds of years ago. Pomps Pond is connected to ice block harvesting more than 100 years ago.
While ice activities are weather permitting, activities have been modified in the past to make for a fun day for everyone.