From SWSA, ski jumping and much more

SALISBURY, Conn. — This year’s Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) Jumpfest Winter Festival has expanded and offers more dates and more activities.The traditional ski jumps will be held on the weekend of Feb. 6 to 8. A relatively new and very popular addition to the Jumpfest calendar is Friday Nite Lights. This year on Friday, Feb. 6, there will again be target ski jumping under the lights, a restaurant chili cook-off and the ever-popular Human Dogsled Race (where five people pull one rider on a team-designed sled).Saturday, Feb. 7, begins with a junior ski jumping competition at Satre Hill, followed by the Salisbury Invitational Tournament featuring jumpers from the eastern division. At LaBonne’s Square, some of the area’s most talented ice artists will hold a day-long ice carving demonstration. New this year will be a sledding party for children at Camp Sloane in Lakeville. Youngsters can also try the ski jump simulator at Satre Hill, which gently mimics the ski jumping experience.The whole family can take part in winter-related games and projects at the Scoville Memorial Library, where the folks from EXTRAS (the Salisbury Central School after-school program) will have activities throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday.Adults can take part in a Leafblower Air Hockey Tournament (yes, you read that right). There will also be a Hillrock Bourbon tasting at the Interlaken Inn in Lakeville. On Saturday night, the Nice Ones and TreeTop will entertain at the Snow Ball at the Lakeville Hose Co. firehouse.Start Sunday off right at the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Breakfast followed by a day of jumping. A horse-drawn wagon will help ferry visitors to different venues in Salisbury both Saturday and Sunday.Admission to all events at Satre Hill on the weekend of the jumps is $15 per adult, and children 12 and under are free. Admission to the Snow Ball is $15.There will also be winter carnival activities in the week before the jumps, starting on Friday, Jan. 30. There will be art shows, a restaurant week, a martial arts exhibition, wine tasting, a curling open house, a slacker’s triathlon and many business deals and giveaways.For more information email SWSA at info@jumpfest.org or see a complete schedule of events at www.awinterfestival.com.