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Winter Fest 2024 set for Feb. 8-11 Cazenovia to present enhanced weekend-long celebration of winter
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The Cazenovia community is presenting an enhanced version of its traditional Winter Fest celebration this year from Feb. 8-11. By kate hill Staff writer Caz Life, an events committee within the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC), is partnering with local businesses and organizations to present a four-day celebration of all things winter. This year’s enhanced Caz Winter Fest will be held Feb. 8-11 at various locations throughout the community. The packed schedule includes traditional Winter Fest events, such as Cazenovia High School’s talent show and snow sculpture competition, plus a variety of new offerings, such as community curling at Meier’s Creek Brewing Co., a guided night hike/snowshoe from the brewery to Lorenzo, ice sculptures, and a “Cocoa Crawl” and pop-ups at the downtown shops. Caz Life was established as the “business-to-consumer” events and marketing arm of the GCACC in the spring of 2023 to help foster local business development, promote tourism, and implement effective marketing strategies to enhance the vibrancy and economic growth of the village.
“For many of us who have lived in Cazenovia over the years, [Winter Fest] is a tradition that we have loved seeing grow and evolve,” said Caz Life member Caitlin Gambee on Jan. 23. “We had a community meeting today, and it was incredible to go around the group and have people talk about their favorite memories from years past. They highlighted events that we see annually but also events that have long been retired from Winter Fest. It was clear that Winter Fest has been a source of joy in the community for generations of Cazenovians.” The 2024 Caz Winter Fest is made possible by a $40,000 grant awarded to the CazArts creative alliance through the office of Assemblyman Al Stirpe. A portion of the funding, which is intended to be used to enhance economic activity in Cazenovia through marketing and events, is being used to support this year’s expanded and enhanced Winter Fest events. “In the middle of winter, it’s important to celebrate and bring Cazenovia folks together,” said CazArts President Geoffrey Navias. “It’s [also] great and fun to bring people to Cazenovia. Winter Fest in Cazenovia has been a tradition
for the last 50 years, and this year, there has been terrific planning and great energy to bring vitality and new activities to the festival. CazArts is delighted [to be] working with so many others to add to the festivities.” The Stirpe grant application was facilitated by the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association (CACDA). “The schedule has always included a lot of community-focused events, like
ice skating and sledding,” said CACDA Executive Director Lauren Lines, who also serves on the CazArts board. “Our goal is to maintain that while also creating events that will bring people from around the region to enjoy winter in Cazenovia.” Also integral to this year’s event is Michael John Heagerty, a well-known community facilitator in Syracuse whose work on Winter Fest is being Winter Fest l Page 9
Cazenovia Heritage to explore architectural expressions of windows
2024 program schedule announced By kate hill Staff writer On Saturday, Feb. 3, at 2 p.m., Carl Stearns, treasurer of Cazenovia Heritage, will present “Windows of Cazenovia, Through the Years” at the Ca-
zenovia Public Library. Stearns is a retired partner and a founder of the Syracusebased firm Crawford & Stearns, Architects and Preservation Planners. His presentation will explore what windows have to say about Cazenovia’s old houses. “From 12 pane to single, and with myriad configurations in Windows l Page 3
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On Feb. 3, the Cazenovia Public Library will host a Cazenovia Heritage presentation by Carl Stearns titled “Windows of Cazenovia, Through the Years.”
Volume 214, Number 5 The Cazenovia Republican is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 35 Albany St., Second Floor, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Periodical Postage Paid at Cazenovia, NY 13035, USPS 095-260. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Cazenovia Republican, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
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