Winter Carnival

37th Annual Winter Carnival
January 31, February 1 & 2, 2020


Theme: "Through the Years..."
All activities take place at the Colchester High School, except for Sunday's Open Skate (at Airport Park Ice Rink).

The annual Colchester Winter Carnival is a winter tradition that brings hundreds of families out to the Colchester High School campus for a weekend packed with activities, food concessions, arts & crafts, and other family fun, both inside and outside.  Each year, a theme is chosen by the Winter Carnival committee, and visitors are encouraged to join in the fun by dressing up to match the theme!  The most popular event of the weekend is the Friday night Colchester's Got Talent show, which puts Colchester's most talented residents on the stage for a night of music, dance, and performance!  Auditions are held in January (except the 2020 show).  Cash prizes are awarded to the top three performances in each category!
Sound like fun?  Join our Winter Carnival Planning Committee and help us organize a truly stunning event!  Email Mike, our Committee Chair for more info, or visit our "Volunteer Opportunities" webpage.

Friday, January 31, 2020: Colchester's Got Talent: ALL STARS!
Location: CHS Performing Arts Center  |  Show starts at 6:00 PM

This special edition of Colchester's Got Talent will feature returning acts from the past 10 years of Colchester's Got Talent!  All acts were chosen and invited by the Winter Carnival Committee to return for this show.

Thank you to LCATV for filming!  You can watch the entire show, below:
REMINDER: All spectators must purchase a Winter Carnival bracelet to gain admission to the show.  Performers only need a bracelet if they plan to attend more attractions throughout the weekend.


Categories:


  • Individual Singers
  • Group Acts
  • Variety
Cash prizes for top three finishers in each category!
1st place = $200; 2nd place = $100; 3rd place = $50
A special "People's Choice" award will also be given for $50.  Link for voting will be posted here by Friday night.

Admission Tickets:

$7.00 per person (ages 2 and under = FREE)
The Winter Carnival information booth will be open 5:00 - 7:00pm on Friday night for ticket sales.  All visitors who wish to view the show must purchase a Winter Carnival bracelet for $7.00, which will also grant entry to all events and activities on Saturday.
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REMINDER:

FOOD AND BEVERAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE THEATRE.  The Colchester High School Performing Arts Center has a strict policy, so we must stress that food and beverages are not to be brought into the theatre.  Concessions will not be for sale this year.



Overflow Seating:


Spectators who are not able to find a seat in the theatre, or prefer a more flexible space for young children, are welcome to view the show from the CHS Cafeteria, where a live stream video will be set up.  You won't miss any of the action!

CHS Girls Basketball Games


The Colchester High School Girls Basketball teams will host Missisquoi Valley Union HS on Friday night (Jan. 31) in the CHS Gym.  JV Girls will play at 5:30 PM and Varsity Girls will play at 7:00 PM.  Entry to the games is free with a Winter Carnival bracelet.

Saturday, February 1, 2020: Colchester Winter Carnival

Location: Colchester High School

2020 Winter Carnival Schedule [PDF]

Saturday activities include inflatables, face painting, balloon animals, caricatures, fat bike demos, food concessions from local non-profits, and more!  Additional highlights include:

Chili Cook-Off to Benefit the Josh Pallotta Fund

Think you have the best chili in town?  Well then, test your chili against your neighbor at this community contest!  Entries support the Josh Pallotta Fund, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3  organization dedicated to assisting Veterans and Service members struggling with Post Traumatic Stress and to one day end Veteran suicide.  There is no entry fee for chili participants, but donations to the Josh Pallotta Fund will be accepted.  Judging begins at 10:30 AM.  The top three will win a gift certificate, trophy, and bragging rights!  Remaining chili will be sold as concessions with proceeds benefiting the Josh Pallotta Fund.  Registration Deadline 1/24. 

Studio 3 Dance Company Performance

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM   |   Studio 3 Dance is excited to perform their newest competition & select recreational dance pieces for all to enjoy! Dancers ages 5 and up will perform from a mix of genres including tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, African, and more to delight the entire audience! This wonderful show is the perfect way to start your day at the Carnival.  Location: Theatre.

Ice Golf Charity Scramble (additional fee)

12:00 - 3:00 PM   |   Two 9-hole golf courses will be assembled on the frozen surface of our beautiful Lake Champlain. Teams of four will play in a scramble-format starting at Bayside Beach. $50/person. All proceeds benefit Vermont’s Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. Graphite shafts not recommended due to their brittleness in cold weather. White golf balls are not allowed. One hockey stick per team.  Check in at 11:00 AM; shotgun start at 12:00 PM. For details or to register, visit https://www.facebook.com/VermontIceGolf/.

Free Chair Massages with Rebecca Robbins-Bushway

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM  |  Free chair massages have returned to the Winter Carnival courtesy of ColcRobins Nest Massagehester business-owner, Rebecca Robbins-Bushway!  Need a moment to yourself and time to relax after running around with the kids all day? Rebecca Robbins-Bushway of Robin’s Nest Massage will provide you with a relaxing moment before you move on to your next activity. Find her in the hallway between the cafeteria and gym for a complementary massage (Winter Carnival bracelet required).

Sunday, February 2, 2020: Skating @ Airport Park Ice RinkCPD Officers

Join officers from the Colchester Police Department for some skating at Airport Park!  Bring your own skates.  This event is weather dependent.  

Hours: 11:30am - 1:30pm

Location: Airport Park 

(500 Colchester Point Rd, Colchester, VT 05446).