Skip to content

Making the Most of Jumpfest

by Alexis Savage

Salisbury, Connecticut has been home to Jumpfest for over 80 years. The Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) is the magic force behind the event which features both adult and youth jumpers. The jumping events will take place on Saturday and Sunday but the activity certainly does not stop there. SWSA has raised the bar this year. The weekend will be packed with activities of all kinds, many of them new. Even if you aren’t keen on watching the jumps themselves, there are many other ways to participate. As an added perk, this year the local restaurants are participating in Jumpfest by offering discounts and specials.

Looking to get outside and enjoy the weather? Peter Beck’s Village Store will be leading a Snow Shoe Hike on Wednesday February 5 at 5:30 PM, complete with hot chocolate. For those wanting a more artistic view of the jumps, stop by the Academy Building in Lakeville to see Higher. Faster. Farther. The photography show features images of ski-jumping. Lakeville’s White Gallery will be open and offering refreshments throughout the weekend. If you find something you love, 10% of all art sales will go to help future Jumpfest events.

Jumpfest officially begins on Friday, February 7, with Target Jumping under the lights at 7 PM. The infamous Human Dogsled Races follows. Whether you are racing or watching, it will be a spectacle! Then head over to the Black Rabbit and warm up with live music and a Lagunitas Beer event. Don’t stay out too late, though. The action resumes again at 9AM Saturday with the Junior 20m and 30m competitions followed by the Salisbury Invitational Ski Jumping Competition at 1 PM.

Anyone who grew up enjoying Jumpfest will tell you, there would be no festival without ice carving. Stop by LaBonne’s Square between 11-3 PM to see how these amazing sculptures are made. Want a more epicurean experience? Hillrock Distillery is hosting a free tasting and chef demonstration at the Interlaken from 4-6 PM.

One of the most iconic events of Jumpfest is the Snow Ball. This annual dance is held in the Lakeville Hose Company Annex Saturday evening from 8PM – Midnight. Enjoy refreshments and bid on auction items. Your dancing shoes are a must for two local bands, The Nice Ones and Joe Bouchard’s TreeTops, will perform.

On Sunday morning the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service is holding a Pancake Breakfast from 7:30-11:30 AM. You can fill up before the final event, the Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships.

For more information, visit www.jumpfest.org

Back
to
Top