The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Jumpfest begins Feb. 3 in Salisbury
SALISBURY — The 97th annual Jumpfest, where spectators can watch Olympic hopefuls compete on Satre Hill, at 80 Indian Cave Road, begins Friday night and continues to Sunday.
“If you have never seen ski jumping live, you have never really witnessed this sport,” said Willie Hallihan, Association Director of the Salisbury Winter Sports Association. “The hint of frost in the air, the cacophony of ringing cowbells, spectators cheering on their favorites, and the slap of skis as they hit the landing hill, make this event unforgettable.”
Jumpfest kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday with target jumping under the lights. This is an exciting warmup for the events on Saturday
and Sunday and a great time to spot your favorites and cheer them on.
Target jumping is followed by a crowd favorite, the Human Dog Sled Race where teams of six compete in this madcap event for a variety of prizes. To join this competition, contact info@jumpfest.org. The cost is $25 per team with proceeds going to the mission of SWSA, youth skiing programs.
Saturday begins at 9:30 a.m. with the Junior Competition on the 20-meter and 30-meter hills. The Salisbury Invitational Ski Jumping Competition begins at 11 a.m. with practice jumps followed by the competition that begins at 1 p.m. At the conclusion of the competition, medals are awarded on the hill.
Spectators are invited to attend the “Snowball”
from 8-11 p.m. at the Lakeville Town Grove. There will be plenty of food and music by the Steve Dunn
Band. Tickets are $20 per person with children under 12 free.
Sunday features the
highly anticipated Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships begins with practice jumps that run from 11 a.m. through noon. The long-awaited annual competition starts at 1 p.m. At this event, there are often Olympic hopefuls competing.
Jumpfest on Sunday will also have food trucks, craft beer, hot toddies, and bonfires on all three days. Tickets are available at the gate and are $15 for adults on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Children 12 and under are free all three days. Parking is free.
The ski jump complex is located at Satre Hill on Indian Cave Road in Salisbury. Proceeds for Jumpfest fund the SWSA youth skiing programs. Before setting out, check www.jumpfest.org for updates, scheduled changes, or more information or email the Association at info@jumpfest.org.