NEWFOUNDLAND, Pa. — Banners are being hung, and the stage is getting set at Kresswood Lake, along Main Street in Dreher Township. It's all in preparation for Wally Ice Fest this weekend near Newfoundland.
"It's a little wet this year, so we're trying to dry out some of the grounds where we're going to be putting the lawn games and so on. The tent is up. The musicians should be setting up what they can shortly today. We'll build a huge bonfire and have that going for three nights," said Andy Jacques, the Pond Hockey tournament director.
Brad Commeau can't wait for the weekend. This will be the third year he and his band, Sage Clearing, are playing music at the festival.
"I love it. It's a great event. It's good for the community. Great bunch of guys and a great bunch of musicians that come, it's always a good time," said Commeau.
One of the biggest draws of the festival is the pond hockey tournament. But organizers say this year they've had to cancel it because there's not enough ice on the lake.
"This year, we would have had 40 teams if we had the ice up and running. Unfortunately, it's a little bit warm. We pick the weekend in February, the first weekend in February, usually because we know it's the coldest or we hope it's the coldest, and also, usually, it's a pretty free weekend where we can hopefully get some folks up here that might now come up on what would traditionally be a slower time for hospitality," said Jacques.
Wally Ice Fest originally started in Hawley and then moved to Lake Russell.
Now, Kresswood Lake is hosting the event. Organizers say that despite not having the hockey tournament, there will still be plenty to do.
"We kick off with a volunteer party and meeting and greeting the teams which are coming up. At the big tent, we have music going on for two days. One of the additions this year is we have a second stage for music over at the far side past, where all the vendors are going to line up. In addition to that was rolling different yard games and land games for the spectators," said Jacques.
The fun at Wally Ice Fest starts at 10 a.m. Saturday.