While most communities hunker down in the winter, the people of Sag Harbor are celebrating the season this weekend with the annual HarborFrost Festival.
The festival was created in 2011 to encourage local residents as well as visitors to come out and enjoy Sag Harbor when most people are thinking of hibernating.
“We say, ‘hey, it’s cold, but come to Main Street and support the local businesses, support the restaurants,’” said Lisa Field, president of Sag Harbor’s Chamber of Commerce. “It’s been a real success!”
To encourage people to come enjoy the village, the chamber has planned a weekend full of fun activities.
HarborFrost will kick off Friday, Feb. 26 with a classic rock concert at the Bay Street Theater featuring Mountain drummer Corky Laing and Kofi Baker, son of Cream drummer Ginger Baker.
Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Visit baystreet.org for more info.
The fun continues Saturday, Feb. 27 with the “Frosty Plunge.” Participants will gather on Windmill Beach to take the annual dip into the frigid waters of Sag Harbor.
Anyone can participate and the cost is $20 per person. One hundred percent of that fee will benefit the Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Registration begins at noon and the event takes place at 1 p.m. Participants are encouraged to get additional sponsors in advance.
“For the past couple of years, the water has frozen and it’s been too icy, so we haven’t been able to do it,” Field said. “Even though it’s cold, it looks like it’s going to happen this year.”
Then, the always popular ice carving demonstrations will commence at 2 p.m. on Long Wharf
From 3 to 6 p.m., fire jugglers and fire dancers will heat things up on Long Wharf. Then at 6:15 p.m. the annual fireworks display will take place over the harbor.
Other events will include live music, a culinary stroll, a sailing regatta, an appearance by Disney’s Princesses Anna & Elsa from “Frozen” and more.
There will also be a a community hike in Mashashimuet Park at 10 a.m. the following morning.
“Everybody’s welcome and we want everybody to come,” said Field. “But what’s nice is that this is February, so it’s a really local event as well and nobody else does fireworks in the winter season!”
For a complete schedule of HarborFrost events visit the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce’s website at sagharborchamber.com