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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Deer Park indoor Winterfest light on snow, heavy on fun

The outhouse race is popular at Winterfest. The outhouses will likely be mounted on wheels this year instead of skis. (File)
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The 30th annual Deer Park Winterfest has a new location – Deer Park High School – and a serious lack of snow.

Not to worry, organizers say.

“It’ll be pretty much a snowless Winterfest, but we’ve been through that before,” said Flo Moore. In fact, she said, one year the theme was “bring your own snow.”

And though some events have the word “snow” in the title, “they’ll carry on regardless,” she said. “Hopefully it’ll be frozen enough that it’s not muddy. … Most of the events are not dependent on snow.”

“It’s just about community getting together and having something fun to do,” Amy Lindh said.

The festival is organized and sponsored by the Deer Park Kiwanis Club. Moving to the high school means indoor activities will be warmer, and there’s lots of parking, Moore said.

The schedule is full of events for all ages, including the Frostbite Footrace, a chess tournament, dog pulls, a craft fair and square dancing.

One of Moore’s favorite events is the outhouse races. Teams of five – one person sitting inside the outhouse and four pushers – push an outhouse that’s been mounted on skis (or possibly wheels, depending on conditions) 300 feet. The top three teams win cash prizes.

The day finishes with a bonfire of old Christmas trees at 5 p.m. – bring yours to add to the pile – followed by fireworks at 6.

“This year we won’t get the reflection off the snow, because there’s really no snow, but it’s beautiful to see the fireworks off the snow,” Lindh said.

Kimberly Lusk

When: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Deer Park High School, 800 S. Weber Road

Cost: Admission to the festival is free; some events have fees. The Kiwanis will be accepting donations help cover festival costs.

Schedule: www.deerparkchamber.com/index.php/ events/winter