Emmaus is the perfect backdrop for two days of merry-making marked with invigorating winter exercise, recreation, and entertainment. The secret to surviving the shorter days of winter is to get outside and have a blast- a SnowBlast!

Snowblast Winter Festival

Stop Hibernating! Plan to attend SnowBlast Winter Festival!
February 3 - 4, 2012

The Emmaus Arts Commission is pleased to announce the 6th Annual SnowBlast Winter Festival February 3 & 4, 2012

Mark Your Calendars for the Coolest Celebration in the Lehigh Valley!

Emmaus, PA (January 6, 2012) --- The 6th Annual SnowBlast Winter Festival will take place throughout Emmaus, February 3 and 4, 2012. February is the perfect time to bundle up and head to Emmaus to have a blast … a SnowBlast! The festival schedule is packed with free, community-wide events.

Activities include many favorites such as the Friday night kick-off on the Emmaus Triangle with an appearance by the SnowBlast Ice Princess, Sculpted Ice demonstrations and the Emmaus Main Street Partners Ice Bar. A newer addition includes the SnowBlast Winter Festival Art Show and Sale at the Clock Building featuring a Lehigh Valley Jazz Ensemble and a special performance by the Emmaus High School Fermata Nowhere acapella group. Attendees will have a hands-on craft experience with Cedar Crest College art students and the C.R.E.A.T.E. Book Cart. Saturday continues with activities scheduled at the Emmaus Public Library and the Clock Building.

The winter season is an exhilarating time of year to enjoy a blast of outdoor activity and experience cool shopping, art demonstrations, cozy coffee shops, and dining.

Highlights of the 2012 SnowBlast include*:

Friday Night, February 3, 5 pm – 9 pm

• Opening Ceremony, Sculpted Ice demonstration, appearance by the SnowBlast Ice Princess, 5 p.m., Emmaus Triangle Park
• Outdoor Games (and fun!) on the Triangle, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Snowman Beanbag Toss, Ring Toss and Fish Pond sponsored by Lehigh Valley Martial Arts
• Fire Pit warming stations

Art-Related Activities

• 2nd Annual SnowBlast Winter Festival Art Show & Sale at the Clock Building featuring a collection of artwork by local talent. Musical performances featuring the Patrick Trio from 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a special performance from Emmaus High School’s Fermata Nowhere acapella group at 7:30 p.m. 322 Main Street.
• Hands-On Craft Activities with Cedar Crest College C.R.E.A.T.E. Book Cart (Community Related Experiences in Art Through Engagement) where attendees learn to make pocket-sized books and/or artist trading cards, Clock Building.
• Artist demonstrations, Clock Building.
• Tai Chi demonstrations featuring instructors and students from Lehigh Valley Martial Arts. 6:15 p.m.; 7:15 p.m.; 8:15 p.m. Location TBD
• Chinese Calligraphy demonstration by Linda Rashid (6:30 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.; 8:30 p.m.) Quaker Maid Kitchen & Bath, 337 Chestnut Street.
• Baked Café and Bakery -- art display showing works of Carter LaBlanc, Jill Cramer, Kristen Barry, Sarah Gomes and Leslie Heffron. Plus, special SnowBlast Chill Chaser drink specials and fare! 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 228 Main Street.
• Out of Our Hands Gallery – featuring a variety of artists and serving refreshments. 244 Main Street.
• House Splendid – Stonekeep Meadery (Honey Wine) Tasting, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Watercolor folk artist Chris Wilsker and special performance by the East Penn Elementary Chamber Players, 7 p.m. 345 Chestnut Street.
• Conversational Threads – Knitting up a storm with friends, everyone welcome! 4 S. 4th Street.
• Blind Willow Book Shop – Group art opening featuring local artists, wine and cheese. 5 pm to 7 pm. 412 Chestnut Street.
• Vargtimmen King Koffee – Musical performance by Joel Shimer, 7 p.m. 506 Chestnut Street.
• Janet’s Stained Glass Studio – Hot refreshments and wine, 10% off all stained glass snowflakes! 401 Chestnut Street.

Food

• Emmaus Main Street Partners Ice Bar on the Triangle featuring the popular “Icetini,” Warm Spiced Wine, Lager, Soda, Bottled Water, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Food vendors at Triangle Park featuring Armetta's Italian Restaurant & Pub, Emmaus Rotary Club, Creamery on Main.
• Gribben’s – special SnowBlast Chill Chaser drink specials! 194 Main Street.
• Girl Scout Troop #6810 selling cookies in front of Spotted Dog Barkery, 338 Main Street.
• Thai Thai II – Checkout special menu items for a winter night - Hot Sake and Royale Tom Yum Goong Hot & Spicy Soup. 302 Main Street.

Music

• Asian Drum demonstration – Creamery on Main, 6:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.; 8:00 p.m.
• Music by Wesley Works Entertainment.
• Cottage -- Winter Wonderland Party featuring crafts, Champagne and cupcakes and organic hotdogs with music by Emmaus Singing Society Band. 4th and Chestnut Streets.
• Finish Line Running Store – Lehigh Valley Horn Ensemble. 6:45 p.m., 10 S. 4th Street.

Please join us Saturday, February 4, 2012, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Fireside storytelling and craft-making at Emmaus Public Library (10 am – 2 pm) Story time with Martha Vines: 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Girl Scout Troop #651 selling cookies. 11 East Main Street.
• The Emmaus Arts Commission Presents Draw Along with Bob McLeod -- 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. at Emmaus Public Library. This activity is for school age and young adults -- kids receive "follow-the-leader" style art instruction from artist and EAC Commissioner Bob McLeod. Blick Art Materials is donating sketch book and pencils for the first 25 participants (while supplies last.)
• First Annual SnowBlast Winter Festival Community Art Project sponsored by the Emmaus Arts Commission and Blick Art Materials. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clock Building. (322 Main Street) Blick Art Materials staff and volunteers from Emmaus Arts Commission will be on hand to help kids and adults alike draw and create large canvas panels. Canvases will be on display post SnowBlast Winter Festival at Gribben’s Restaurant.
• Baked Café and Bakery -- art display showing works of Carter LaBlanc, Jill Cramer, Kristen Barry and Sarah Gomes, plus, special SnowBlast Chill Chaser drink specials and fare! 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Special thanks to students from Seven Generations Charter School, Jefferson and Lincoln Elementary Schools for the beautiful snowflakes on the windows of participating stores and businesses!

“Our sixth year celebrates the arts,” says Ellen Wilson, co-chair of the event. “Plus, we’re offering Saturday art activities coordinated by the EAC, says co-chair Teri Sorg-McManamon. “Our goal is to continue the great traditions around SnowBlast and add more collaborators and artistic events throughout Emmaus.”

Since 2005 the Emmaus Arts Commission has brought family-friendly events and artistic community pride to Emmaus and the Lehigh Valley. SnowBlast Winter Festival, Student Horror Film Festival and other events are made possible through generous contributions and fundraising activities through the Emmaus Arts Commission and its sponsors and supporters.

SnowBlast Winter Festival 2012 is brought to you by The Emmaus Arts Commission with sponsor support furnished by Emmaus Main Street Partners, Lafayette Ambassador Bank, Rileigh’s Outdoor Decorations, First Niagra, Lehigh Valley Martial Arts, Gene Clock, Wesley Works Entertainment, Natural Awakenings magazine, Blick Art Materials and Ice Cream World. Special thanks to Emmaus Borough Council and Emmaus Public Works, Emmaus Public Library; students and art teachers from Seven Generation Charter School and Jefferson and Lincoln Elementary Schools; and Jill Odegaard and students from the Cedar Crest College C.R.E.A.T.E. class.