The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
JUMPFEST RETURNS THIS WEEKEND
Events begin Friday night, continue through Sunday
SALISBURY — The 94th annual JumpFest returns to Salisbury Feb. 7-9, sponsored by the Salisbury Winter Sports Association.
JumpFest is a three-day celebration and competition featuring the best junior ski jumpers in the eastern United States. The jumpers are national hopefuls, and some will go on to represent the U.S. in the Olympics.
Schedule of events
Feb. 7: Target Jumping Under the Lights, 7 p.m., followed by Human
Dogsled Races. Admission is $15 per person, and the ticket booth opens at 6 p.m.
About the dog sled race: Teams of six, five pulling and one riding using sleds of their own design, compete for trophies in men’s, women’s and mixed categories as well as a people’s choice award for best costume/sled. Sleds can be as simple as an inner tube or as elaborate as an imitation fire truck.
Competitors must be 18 or older have at least a moderate level of fitness to run in snow over a 0.3-mile course. Competitors and supporters can enjoy bonfires, and food and beverages are available for sale.
To sign up, email info@ jumpfest.org
Feb. 8: Salisbury Invitational Ski Jumping Competition. Practice begins at 11 a.m., followed by jumps at 1 p.m. Admission is $15 per person.
8-11 p.m., SWSA Snow Ball Dance at the White Hart Inn, featuring the Steve Dunn Band. Admission $15 per person. A silent auction benefits Eastern Ski Jumping and a raffle to benefit SWSA. Live music, drink specials, a full cash bar and food from the inn’s tap room menu are available. For more information on the Snow Ball, call or text John at 860-480-7077.
Feb. 9: Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships, practice, 11 a.m.noon, competition begins at 1 p.m. Admission $15 per person.
For event updates and schedule changes, go to jumpfest.org. Children
12 and under are admitted free to all JumpFest events.
According to its website, JumpFest is “a Salisbury tradition for 90 years. This all-volunteer, non-profit organization has fostered the exhilarating sport of ski jumping among all ages and generations. SWSA continues to improve its snowmaking capabilities, ensuring that the Eastern National Ski Jumping Championships will remain an annual event in Salisbury.”