Richfield Springs carnival planners hoping for snow

The carnival is scheduled to take place over the next two weekends, although events that depend on snow will be canceled unless more snow falls, according to Ralph Osterhoudt, a member of the Lions Club of Richfield Springs, which sponsors the carnival.

``We’re still hoping, but it doesn’t look like we’ll get much snow by the weekend,’’ Osterhoudt said Wednesday.

None of the snowmobile trails in town was open Wednesday, as the area has had just a dusting of snow.

Usually, the carnival features a torchlight parade in its first weekend, and this year’s parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Kozak’s Field.

As of Wednesday, there was not enough snow on the ground to run the machines for the parade, and the National Weather Service forecast was calling for flurries with little accumulation between then and Friday.

That night, a bonfire will be lit at the landfill, Osterhoudt said, regardless of whether the torchlight parade takes place.

The Jim Vanriper Memorial poker rally is scheduled to be held Saturday, but it will not be staged unless there is enough snow on the ground to operate snowmobiles. Typically, the card players travel from restaurant to restaurant on their snowmobiles and at the end of the day gather to see who had the best hand.

``We had thought about using cars, but decided that wasn’t a good idea, so this one depends on snow,’’ Osterhoudt said.

If the event is to be held, people may sign up for it at the Genesee Restaurant from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Other scheduled events include:

• The Richfield Springs Lionesses Club will sponsor a bingo game Saturday at the Richfield Veterans Club with sign-up at 11 a.m. Teams will be composed of one child and one adult.

• On Saturday night, the Lionesses will sponsor a Mardi Gras masquerade ball from 8 to 11 at the Veterans’ Club. For tickets or more information, call (315) 858-0419 or (315) 858-2839.

• On Sunday, starting at noon, a snowmobile obstacle-course race and snow-tubing will be held at the Gunset, an area about one mile west of the village. These events depend on adequate snow.

• On Feb. 3 from noon to 5 p.m., the Canadarago Snowtoppers will host a snowmobile scavenger hunt. To sign up for this event, go to the Snowtoppers’ clubhouse on Monticello Road. For more information, call (315) 858-2639.

• Also Feb. 3, there will be homemade chili contest from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Veterans’ Club. This event is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. For more information, call (315) 858-2708 or (315) 858-2579.

• The Lionesses Club will host a bowling event at Richfield Lanes on Feb. 3 with sign-up at 11:30 a.m. There will be a pitch tournament at the Genesee Restaurant with sign-ups beginning at noon.

• On Feb. 4, the Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast at Richfield Springs Central School from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

The Richfield Sportsmen’s Club will host a skeet shoot from noon to 3 p.m. on Monticello Road, and the c

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