Mendon Ponds Park Winterfest

Winterfest Update

We were unable to hold the 2021 winterfest this past winter season due to covid, Please join us in next year for winterfest 2022.

Highlights of the 2020 Winterfest

Bring the whole family and come on out to Mendon Ponds Park for a FREE, fun-filled, action-packed day, brought to you by County Executive Adam J. Bello, and the Monroe County Department of Parks!

The event is spread throughout the park, including the Nature Center area, East & West Lodges, Cavalry House Lodge, Cobblestone House, Evergreen Shelter, Hopkins Point Lodge, on the trails, on the sledding hills, and on the ponds!

Event runs from 11:00 am till 3:00 pm

Activities include:

Arts & Crafts, Kids Activities
Free Sleigh Hay Rides provided by Heberle Stables at Hopkins Point Lodge
Sledding- in designated areas, near East Lodge and Cavalry Lodge, only.
Food & Refreshments- for sale at East/West Lodge Area.
Demos and Try-it opportunities at many booths/stations.
Hikes and Learning Opportunities

Organizations setting up a booth/station include:

Nature Center Area (including Wild Wings, Inc. and Sheriff’s Horse Barn)

Monroe County Sheriff: Mounted Patrol (DEPENDENT ON SERVICE CALLS)
Monroe County Sheriff: Snowmobile Unit (DEPENDENT ON SERVICE CALLS)
Monroe County Forestry: Chain Saw Demo
Genesee Valley Audubon Society (GVAS): Chickadee Feeding & Nature Hikes on Birdsong Trail, and Bird ID
Wild Wings, Inc.: Birds of Prey Educational Demos & Programs
Free hot chocolate and coffee inside the Nature Center(Limited Supply)

East and West Lodge Area

Monroe County Parks Department, Recreation & Education Division: Winter Recreation Opportunities in the 21 County Parks
GeoROC, Geocachers of the Rochester Area: Info display and props providing overview of Geocaching. Live demos/Try-it & Q&A
Seneca Park Zoo: Zoo Mobile (12:00pm-2:00pm only)
Sledding: next to East Lodge
REFRESHMENTS from Chef's Catering- fresh, and local food (available for purchase)
Free hot chocolate and coffee inside the East Lodge(Limited Supply)

Cobblestone House

Sock Making & Spinning Guild: Demonstrations
Rochester Academy of Science, Astronomy Section: Solarscope, astronomy books, brochures, giveaways, displays, and a slideshow
Rochester Academy of Science, Mineral Section: Minerals from New York State and elsewhere
Rochester Academy of Science, Fossil Section: The Fossils of New York and the World

Hopkins Point Lodge and Pondview Shelter area

Rochester Orienteering Club: Beginner Ski-Orienteering and Snowshoe-Orienteering course, with instruction provided.

South Meadow Trail

Seneca Siberian Husky Club: Sled Dog Race at 11am, Meet & Greet until 1pm only (TRAIL ITSELF CLOSED TO GENERAL USE DURING RACES. FOR YOUR SAFETY, AND DOG TEAM SAFETY, NO OTHER DOGS ALLOWED NEAR RACE COURSE.)

Stewart Lodge Area

Rochester Cross Country Ski Foundation: Program Information
Rochester Nordic Ski Club: Table displays, Groomed trails, and information for County wide offerings
Massasaugua Search & Rescue Team: Search & Rescue Tools Display, and Meet a K9 Search & Rescue Dog
Honeoye Falls/Mendon Volunteer Ambulance Corps: On-Site EMS, Ambulance Tours, Info Table, and Blood Pressure Checks
Green Spark Solar Energy: A local, employee-owned B Corp providing information about powering your home with clean, local solar energy.
GROC: Genesee Regional Off-road Cyclist information table