Horse Drawn Hayrides, Arts Events Slated for ‘Winterfest’

The Ridgewood Guild’s “Winterfest” kicks off Saturday, with two weekends planned of entertainment and seasonal festivities planned in the central business district.

The big attractions to the two afternoons are the horse drawn hayride through the downtown and ice sculptures in the park, but this year, the guild’s fourth time sponsoring the event, there are two new arts events in store.

On Dec. 7, the Ridgewood Arts Council is putting on a “pop-up poetry” event at the old Bank of America building from noon to 5 p.m. All ages are welcome to read poetry either on their own or at an open mic, and a reading of The Night Before Christmas will fill the building at 3:15.

The next Saturday, the Ridgewood High School Band plans to restart an old tradition by hosting a “community play-in.”

Anyone with an instrument – even if they’re new to it or haven’t picked it up in a while – is invited to play holiday tunes with the band in Van Neste Park beginning at 11:30 a.m. Music books will be provided by the band, and a brief registration form can be found at its website.