The Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith, NY is having their annual Ice Harvest Festival on February 1st from 10am to 4pm.
Ice harvests were once an essential part of winter in rural communities. Before there was refrigeration, ice was needed to preserve agricultural products and to keep food cold in the warmer months. Ice Festival attendees can take part in a traditional ice harvest! They’ll walk out on the frozen mill pond to help cut and maneuver blocks of ice using historic tools. The ice will be transported by sled and then packed in the Museum’s traditional ice house.
The Festival also features Horse-drawn sleigh rides, Hot soup buffet with soups from favorite area restaurants, Local farmers and vendors Bonfires, Ice Fishing, Storytelling, a Snowman Village and much much more!
Here now to tell us more is Executive Director of The Hanford Mills Museum, Liz Callahan.
