STILLWATER – The 21st annual Frost Faire will take place Saturday, January 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Battlefield at Saratoga National Historical Park, located on routes 4 and 32 in Stillwater. All activities are free and take place around the Visitor Center.
This activity-packed event is inspired by Frost Faires in 18th century England during the “Little Ice Age,” a period which brought colder temperatures to Europe. On Saturday, Frost Faire goers can enjoy tubing down the Visitor Center hill (snow permitting), horse-drawn carriage rides, children’s crafts and games, including 18th century toys for kids to play with, and contra dancing for all ages. As part of a small Revolutionary War encampment, there will be cannon and musket firings, as well as a bonfire and complimentary hot chocolate to warm up.
At 12 p.m., there will be a nature and scavenger hunt led by Adirondack guide William Clark. Clark will lead the group to the beaver pond, where he will teach about tracking and traces of animal activity. Pinecones and candy will be hidden for the scavenger hunt. Afterwards, found pinecones can be brought to the museum store, where they can be exchanged for a $10 gift. There will also be natural artifacts from the park’s archives on display at Frost Faire.
“People in this community have a national park in their backyard and this is a great way for people to discover the park through winter fun,” said Gina Johnson, Program Manager at National Park Services at Saratoga National Historical Park. “It’s a way to beat cabin fever – people can get out of their houses and go somewhere to have a good time. It’s a fun day to come and discover nature and history.”
Johnson noted how her favorite part of the Frost Faire is the horse-drawn carriages. “It’s the best way to see the park. The whole ambiance of the carriage rides is terrific,” she said.
This is also a special year for Saratoga National Historical Park because it’s National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. Saratoga National Historical Park is just one of 400 national parks, and it will be hosting all sorts of centennial events and activities this year, so be sure to stay tuned.
Frost Faire is sponsored by the Town of Stillwater and Friends of Saratoga Battlefield. For more information about Frost Faire or other events at Saratoga National Historical Park, call the Visitor Center at 518-670-2985, visit nps.gov/sara, or go on Facebook and Twitter @SaratogaNHP.
