Photos: Celebrating winter at 12th WinterFest in Easthampton

A crowd gathers to pet Brown, the cow, during WinterFest at Easthampton Feed, Saturday, in Easthampton.

A crowd gathers to pet Brown, the cow, during WinterFest at Easthampton Feed, Saturday, in Easthampton. STAFF PHOTO/DANIEL JACOBI II

A volunteer reacts after jumping into freezing water during the WinterFest’s Polar Plunge at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton.

A volunteer reacts after jumping into freezing water during the WinterFest’s Polar Plunge at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton. STAFF PHOTO/DANIEL JACOBI II

Rick Martin, left, teaches Dylan Hoxie-Golding, right, 5, how to cut ice during WinterFest at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton.

Rick Martin, left, teaches Dylan Hoxie-Golding, right, 5, how to cut ice during WinterFest at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton. STAFF PHOTO/DANIEL JACOBI II

Volunteers jump into freezing water during the WinterFest’s Polar Plunge at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton.

Volunteers jump into freezing water during the WinterFest’s Polar Plunge at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton. STAFF PHOTO/DANIEL JACOBI II

Volunteers react after jumping into freezing water during the WinterFest’s Polar Plunge at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton.

Volunteers react after jumping into freezing water during the WinterFest’s Polar Plunge at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton. STAFF PHOTO/DANIEL JACOBI II

Jay Blain demonstrates harvesting ice during WinterFest at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton.

Jay Blain demonstrates harvesting ice during WinterFest at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton. STAFF PHOTO/DANIEL JACOBI II

Jay Blain, right, teaches Erick Lokensgard, left, how to cut ice during WinterFest at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton.

Jay Blain, right, teaches Erick Lokensgard, left, how to cut ice during WinterFest at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton. STAFF PHOTO/DANIEL JACOBI II

A volunteer reacts after jumping into freezing water during the WinterFest’s Polar Plunge at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton.

A volunteer reacts after jumping into freezing water during the WinterFest’s Polar Plunge at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton. STAFF PHOTO/DANIEL JACOBI II

Volunteers jump into freezing water during the WinterFest’s Polar Plunge at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton.

Volunteers jump into freezing water during the WinterFest’s Polar Plunge at Nashawannuck Pond, Saturday, in Easthampton. STAFF PHOTO/DANIEL JACOBI II

Published: 02-09-2025 9:33 AM

EASTHAMPTON — The 12th annual WinterFest in Easthampton culminated on Saturday with a host of indoor and outdoor activities while raising funds to benefit the city’s iconic Nashawannuck Pond.

Outside, community members were able to try their hand at historical ice harvesting on the pond alongside historian Dennis Picard, using a pond saw to “harvest” blocks of ice and getting the chance to learn about Easthampton’s role in the ice industry.

The Fire Department also hosted their Polar Plunge for the second year.

Hosted by Friends of Nashawannuck Pond and the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee, the money raised will help keep the pond scenic and healthy.

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