Thursday marks the beginning of one of the biggest weekends of the Richfield Springs Lions Club Winter Carnival, which began this past weekend. The carnival was scheduled to begin Jan. 15, but warm weather forced the cancellation of the vintage snowmobile races that were to take place on frozen Canadarago Lake. The trouble is, the lake wasn’t frozen. “This is probably the worst year, so far,” Lions Club member Ralph Osterhoudt said. “I’ve seen it (the weather) turn around within a week before, though.” Three of this weekend’s events involve snowmobiles or tubing, and the weather forecast indicates there is a good chance they will also be cancelled. Friday night’s torchlight snowmobile parade, Saturday’s snowmobile poker rally and Sunday’s tube races and snowmobile obstacle course may all be cancelled or postponed. “Most of it would probably be cancelled,” Osterhoudt said. “We’ve found we run into other things if we postpone them. We may do one of the races later on.” The weekend begins with a spaghetti dinner and The Zone Youth Center Bake Sale, Thursday, from 5-8 p.m. at Richfield Springs Central School. The torchlight parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Kozak’s Field on County Route 22. Jesse Garner, of the Canadarago Snowtoppers snowmobile club, said anyone is welcome to participate in the parade. Anyone interested should arrive at the field a little before 7. There will be a bonfire at the transfer station on Elm Street extension immediately following the parade. There are three events Saturday. Area merchants are putting on a fashion extravaganza, and the Richfield Springs Garden Club is hosting an afternoon tea. Both events are at the Lake House Restaurant and begin at 1 p.m. Bridal wear will be modeled, while desserts and other refreshments will be available. There will also be various demonstrations from participating merchants. The Richfield Springs Lioness Club is hosting adult-child Bingo games at the Vet’s Club at 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded. At 6 p.m., the 3rd Annual Jim Vanriper Memorial Snowmobile Poker Rally will begin at the Genesee Restaurant and Tap Room. Jim Vanriper was a member of the Lions Club and owner of the Genesee. “He was a good member,” Osterhoudt said. Saturday concludes with a performance by the Steve Rigo Band, from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., at the Schuyler House. Sunday’s Family Fun Days are at Gunset, the old ski slope, and include a snowmobile obstacle course at noon and tube races at 1 p.m.
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