Winter Festival time in Lambertville-New Hope - nj.com

Every year, when the snow flies and ice lurks on the roads ahead, Lambertville and New Hope join forces to bring us a big Winter Festival. It’s not a small undertaking. For 10 days in late January, the Winter Festival engulfs the two towns with dozens of activities.

According to the calendar, winter has arrived. A relatively mild autumn held through the year-end holidays. But don’t expect it to last. Time to be on the lookout for that frigid arctic air bringing drifting snow.

The Winter Festival in Lambertville-New Hope is perfectly timed. The celebrations kick off on Friday, Jan. 17, and run non-stop through Sunday, Jan. 26. Many events attract with a Revolutionary Pub Crawl, a Magical Musical Pub Crawl, Chili Cookoff, Snow Folk Art competition, Ice Sculpture shows, Soup-A-Thon, Oldies Dance Night, Gallery Tours, and more.

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“I believe we are the first stop on the Revolutionary Pub Crawl,” says Sasha Peatman. “But it’s still early, and we might not be the first. We’ve done pub crawls before, and Thomas Jefferson showed up.” Sasha is describing the Inn of the Hawke, Lambertville.

Re-enactors dressed as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin will be putting the “Revolutionary” in the event. They will be providing the historical focus and talking about events that occurred around the time the nation was forming. While you sip -- whatever.

This crawl begins at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, and runs to 4:30 p.m. It moves from pub to pub, and you drink your way through the two towns. On the list are Inn of the Hawke, Lambertville Station, Mansion Inn, Great Barn Brewery, and Greenhouse. You end up at Havana’s in New Hope for a rousing after-party, 4:30 to 7 p.m. This is a ticketed event, $75. If you only attend the after-party at Havana’s, it’s $20. Rain, snow or shine -- come prepared for walking.

“The Inn of the Hawke is one of the few places around with a working fireplace,” notes Sasha. “Warm to the fire in the main dining room while you have a hot buttered drink.”

The inn dates from the 1840s, and it is a gathering place for lunch -- reservations are required. Call ahead for seating at dinner. The Sunday brunch, served from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., is very popular. And there are four rooms to accommodate overnight visitors -- all with wi-fi.

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The Magical Musical Pub Crawl is another very popular event. It features singers and musicians performing music and stylizations by famous artists at varied locations in Lambertville and New Hope. This crawl happens on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 12:30 to 4:45 p.m. An after-party will be held at Havana’s from 4 to 7 p.m., featuring the Eastern Hellbenders.

You pick four stops out of a long list of possibilities -- hear performers influenced by Lady Gaga, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, The Beatles, Adele, Hank Williams, and many more.

Tickets for this Magical Musical Pub Crawl are $75, including the after-party. If you just attend the after-party, it’s $20. Act quickly. The event sells out early. Come prepared for walking--the event is rain, snow or shine.

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This festival includes a lot more than pub crawling. There are many activities and events that will delight and entertain and educate and inspire. How about taking a chainsaw and turning a big block of ice into a work of art?

The Winter Festival kicks off with live demonstrations of Ice Sculpting on Friday, Jan. 17. At 1 p.m. there will be a live ice carving in New Hope, followed by another at 4 p.m. in Lambertville. These are followed by two locations on Saturday, Jan. 25, and another on Sunday, Jan. 26. That’s not all. You’ll be able to view pre-carved ice sculptures on Saturday, Jan. 25--four will be on display in Lambertville, a dozen more in New Hope. Locations vary--see website for details on this and all the other attractions--WinterFestival.net.

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The Winter Festival Soup-A-Thon is just the thing to warm you up after all that ice. Treat your shivers with a steaming bowl of soup at one of the places serving up their specialties. This event takes place all through the Winter Festival -- Jan. 18 through Jan. 26

The Inn at the Hawke is cooking up a braised beef, mushroom and barley soup. Under the Moon Restaurant will have New England clam chowder. Jesse’s Juice Bar & Cafe will be serving savory lentil with sweet potato. These are in Lambertville.

In New Hope, Little Radish will offer a vegan cream of roasted sweet potato soup. And the Mansion Inn plans a Tuscan winter soup -- potatoes, carrots, celery, kale, bacon and sausage.

This is an early list. Other restaurants will be joining the Soup-A-Thon by opening day. In addition, a contest is planned. The top three chefs will be honored with recognition and prizes. The voting is online.

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If you really want to shake off the chill, plan to attend the Chili Cook-off. It’s held every year, and it is extremely popular -- reserve your ticket early. It’s $50 ($45 under 21).

The doors open at Triumph Brewing, New Hope, at noon. The action runs from 1 to 4 p.m. for the spicy chili competition. Expect original chili dishes created by local chefs from at least 10 local restaurants. Your ticket includes chili, beer, soda, water and a decorative glass.

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Lambertville and New Hope are filled with art and antique galleries and shops. The Winter Festival offers an opportunity to visit as many as you wish with the Gallery Crawl.

It’s set for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25 and 26, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This crawl is self-guided and free. Some 15 galleries in both towns will be welcoming guests with refreshments and all that art. And antiques. And other creations. At WinterFestival.net you’ll find the listings.

Barney Stone Glass & Kinetics is where Barney shows off his creations. The kinetic sculptures here will intrigue youngsters and charm adults. The creations are interactive--they move, they follow you, they are simply delightful. Barney also creates glass pieces that are kiln cast, sandcast, and cold-worked.

In short, put this gallery on your list. It’s located at 204 N. Union St., Lambertville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artists who sculpt works utilizing computerized components are unusual.

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There is so much more at the Winter Festival. The 10 days from Friday, Jan. 17, to Sunday, Jan. 26, are filled with pleasures and diversions. For all ages.

Did I mention the Snow Folk Art Competition? You start with a two-by-four cutout and decorate to win prizes. Buy the cutout ($10) and decorate to your heart’s content. There are different categories for different ages. Completed, decorated pieces must be finished by Jan. 17.

For more information, including locations, maps, free and ticketed events, visit the website at WinterFestival.net.

Al Warr can be reached at 610-253-0432 or AlWarr16@gmail.com.

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