The Northport winter carnival is back on and set for Feb. 22 at Braman Hill Recreation Park after Leelanau Township unanimously approved of the event at its regular meeting Jan. 14.
The winter festival, a beloved tradition in Northport that attracted hundreds of people for more than a decade, was canceled in 2019 following leadership losses within the Northport-Omena Chamber of Commerce, the organization that would put on the event. This time around though, a group of Northport residents that want to see the event become reality once again are spearheading the initiative to bring it back.
Northport resident Elizabeth Rutila, who also serves as Leelanau Township deputy treasurer, presented the preliminary plans that the group has so far to the board, many of which were part of the original winter carnival seven years ago. Some of the activities they plan to have this year includes a youth cardboard sled competition, broomball (hockey with brooms), milk jug curling, open skating/hockey, and a tent area for children. For food, they anticipate having a chili cookoff , hot cocoa and hot dogs available, s’mores and bonfires, and yard games (cornhole).
