Salmon River Winter Festival Returns Jan. 17-19

PULASKI – The 14th annual Salmon River Winter Festival takes place Friday, Jan. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 19 this year. Enjoy a full weekend of family fun and delicious food challenges throughout Pulaski, Richland, Sandy Creek and Altmar.

The annual event brings back the popular macaroni and cheese (MC), chili (C) and chicken wing (W) challenges! Competitions kick off on Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., starting with macaroni and cheese. They continue over the weekend from noon to 6 p.m. both days, with the wing walk on Saturday and chili tasting on Sunday.

Tasting portions are two ounces for macaroni and cheese and chili, and two-wing samples for the wing walk.

The following locations are participating in the challenges:

  • Altmar Hotel: 6 Mill St., Altmar; 315-298-5460(MC, C only)
  • Mill House Market: 3790 NYS Rte. 13, Pulaski; 315-298-4104(MC, W only)
  • Stefano’s Pizzeria: 3852 NYS Rte. 13, Pulaski; 315-298-1122 (W only)
  • Pulaski VFW: 4815 Salina St., Pulaski; 315-298-2660(C only)
  • RiverHouse Restaurant: 4818 Salina St. Pulaski; 315-509-4281(MC, W only)
  • LD’s on the River: 4838 Jefferson St., Pulaski; 315-509-4254
  • Kallet Theater: 4842 Jefferson St., Pulaski; 315-298-0007 (W only)
  • Ma Barker’s Tavern: 5095 US Rte. 11, Pulaski; 315-298-2475 (MC, C only)
  • 11 North Bar and Grill: 5233 US Rte. 11, Pulaski; 315-298-5858
  • End Zone/Factory Sports Bar: 3435 Maple Ave, Pulaski; 315-298-7788
  • Richland Hotel: 243 Main St., Richland; 315-298-0303
  • Brandon’s BBQ at the Half-Shire Historical Society: 1100 Co. Rte. 48, Richland; 315-298-2986
  • Olde School Pub (The Martin Inn & Pub): 2066 Harwood Dr., Sandy Creek; 315-387-7047
  • Buster’s Pit Stop 2: 6059 S. Main St., Sandy Creek; 315-387-7001
  • Pond Pit BBQ: 8883 NYS Rte. 3, Sandy Creek; 315-387-7261
  • Grace Point Church: 228 Co. Rte. 62, Pulaski; 315-298-6070 (C only)
  • 3M’s Sandbar and Restaurant: 8431 NYS Rte. 3, Pulaski; 315-387-7116
  • Kyle’s Wigwam: 45 Wigwam Dr., Pulaski; 315-387-7177(W only)
  • Fairways and Dreams: 6927 NYS Rte. 3, Pulaski; 315-509-4542(MC, C only)

Many participating restaurants will also have live music throughout the weekend. On Friday night, head to the End Zone/Factory Sports Bar for performances by Brett Falso and Joe Battles from 7 to 10 p.m. On Saturday afternoon, Joe Battles will be at 11 North Bar and Grill from noon to 3 p.m., and Brett Falso will be at LD’s on the River from 1 to 4 p.m. At 7 p.m. on Saturday, Roadhouse Prophets will be at the Olde School Pub (The Martin Inn & Pub). Mariah McConnell performs from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday at the End Zone/Factory Sports Bar and from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Richland Hotel.

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, ballots go on sale at the Half-Shire Historical Society in Richland and Designs of Elegance in Pulaski for a pre-sale discount of $18 for all three food challenges. Then on Friday, Jan. 17, single-day ballots will be sold at each participating location. Ballots are $5 each for the macaroni and cheese and chili food challenges and $10 for the wing walk. Maps are provided on the back of each ballot listing participating locations and addresses.

On Saturday, join the Half-Shire Historical Society for opening ceremonies at the Grant Memorial Barn, located behind the main building. A ceremonial torch lighting will take place at noon, followed by a performance by the Lake Ontario Broom Riders. The Broom Riders will also perform at the Richland Hotel on Saturday afternoon.

The Half-Shire Historical Society also hosts a craft show with free coffee, tea and hot cocoa from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, Jan. 20, the historical society will host a bonus kids’ craft day from noon to 5 p.m. The family-friendly fun day includes a light lunch, crafts, games and other activities.

Selkirk Shores State Park joins in on the festivities on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a “Hector the Fox” mystery story walk, free hot chocolate and popcorn at the park office and free snowshoe rentals. The park is located at 7101 NYS Rte. 3, Pulaski.

The Salmon River Fine Arts Center will be open for classes on Saturday. The first session is an opportunity to play with collage layering techniques from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The second session focuses on capturing small details with pastels. Both classes have a fee of $25 each and are open to those aged 14 and older. The Salmon River Fine Arts Center is located at 4848 Jefferson St., Pulaski. For more information, visit the art center’s website at https://salmonriverfineartscenter.com/ or call 315-298-7007.

The Salmon River Winter Festival is an annual event coordinated by the Half-Shire Historical Society. Proceeds from the food challenges fund the Half-Shire Historical Society, Christmas in Richland and the Emma Schroeder Scholarship, which is given to an exceptional graduating senior in Pulaski.

For a complete schedule of Salmon River Winter Festival activities, visit https://www.facebook.com/OswegoCountywintercarnival/ or contact Shawn Doyle at [email protected] or 315-602-6388.

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