This Saturday, the Hanover Recreation Department and the Hanover Inn will kick off the 16th Annual Hanover Winter Games with a parade down Main Street.
The weekend's festivities will also include a torch-lighting ceremony in front of the Hanover-Richmond school, a homemade pasta dinner at the school and a Penny Sale to follow, according to Assistant Recreation Director Chris Vitale.
"All the money raised from this goes right back into youth programming for the town," Vitale said.
The Games usually raise more than $1,000 once all of the expenses are deducted, Vitale said.
The money is spent on uniforms and equipment for third to eighth grade teams in the area, she said.
In the past, the day's events have drawn 200 to 250 people. "It's mostly Hanover participants," Vitale said.
This year, the warm weather conditions forced the Recreation Department to cancel the daytime snow and ice related activities at Occom Pond and the Dartmouth Outing Club House, according to Vitale.
A speed skating race, hockey shoot, snow sculpture, human dog sled race and an ice rescue demonstration on Occom Pond by the Hanover Fire Department were just a few of the events canceled.
But the Winter Games' fundraising goals will still be met because the dinner and Penny Sale will go on as planned, Vitale said.
The parade down Main Street will organize at 5:15 p.m. in front of the Collis Center and will march down to the Hanover-Richmond School where youngster Jeremy Godfrey will light the torch, Vitale said.
A drawing after the dinner will feature a Grand Prize of a year's worth of movies for two at the Nugget Theater.
The night's big event, the free Penny Sale from 7 to 9 p.m., will raffle off over 100 donations from merchants all over the Upper Valley.
Prizes include ski passes from Killington and other resorts in the area, clothing from Serry's and Omer & Bob's, sports equipment donated by Brine Sports and other items from The Dartmouth Bookstore and Hanover Hardware.
"There is a range of stuff for all ages," Vitale said. "We've got donations from all over the Upper Valley."
Dr. William Young, a member of the Recreation Board, said, "I think this is basically a town and college program that welcomes everyone who wants to have fun."
A great deal of work goes into the annual event, Vitale said. "We couldn't do it without the volunteers."
