Inlet’s Frozen Fire & Lights Fest will feature a cardboard sled race. McCauley hosted a similar event for Winter Carnival last Sunday, where Deke’s Flying School was among the entries. Pictured from left are Cedric Barkauskas, Porter Kelly. Deke Morrison, Charlie Uzdavinis, George Uzdavinis & Calvin Barkauskas.

The Town of Inlet is getting ready for the annual Frozen Fire & Lights festival on Saturday, February 23, a day of bonfires, outdoor activities, fireworks and fun for the whole family.

The event will begin with a bonfire at Fern Park at 10 a.m.

A book sale will be held at the Inlet Public Library from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Inlet Youth Commission will sponsor a Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Inlet Town Hall.

Outdoor activities begin at noon at Fern Park where there will be sledding, ice skating, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the trails.

You should bring your own sled, but ice skate, snowshoe and ski rentals are available locally at Pedals & Petals.

The Cardboard Sled Race will begin at 1 p.m. at Fern Park. Bring along your own creation made strictly of cardboard and tape. Prizes will be awarded in the fastest, slowest, and best design categories.

This will be the fourth and final race of the new Central Adirondack Cardboard Sled Race Circuit.

Hot cocoa and donuts can be enjoyed as you warm yourself by the bonfire.

At 5 p.m., the fun moves to Arrowhead Park where there will be a bonfire with complimentary hotdogs and hot cider.

A spectacular fireworks display over the snow and ice will begin at approximately 7 p.m.

Following the fireworks there will be Wine and Chocolate Sampling at Matt’s Draft House at Screamen Eagle.

The event is made possible by the Town of Inlet and a tremendous amount of support by local businesses and individuals.

More information is available by calling 1-800-GO INLET or at: www.inletny.com.

McCauley Mountain will be the host venue for the upcoming Kandahar Ski Race on  Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3. The event is being organized by the Polar Bear Ski Club.

This will be the second year in a row the event will be held at McCauley. Last year’s ski race drew 200 racers and their families to Old Forge to enjoy the town and all it has to offer.

During race registration, the Polar Bears will be handing out goody bags to participants and they welcome any promotional materials area businesses would like to include in the bags.

Suggested items include coupons, a magnet, a sticker, a menu, a brochure or anything that would fit into a regular-sized shopping bag.

The quantity of donated materials is approximately 200. Items can be dropped at Holly Woodworking on Saturday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To arrange for an alternate drop-off time, call Andrea Hollister at  (315) 369-8710.

Greg O’Hara

Leo Maloney, president of the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame, has announced that Greg O’Hara of Inlet will be one of seven 2013 inductees to the hall of fame.

O’Hara was notified of the honor by his nominating sponsor, outdoor writer Gary Lee.

Lee’s sponsorship letter cited O’Hara’s efforts in organizing and offering training to CASART, the Central Adirondack Search and Rescue Team in June of 2003.

Now in its 10th year, CASART, under O’Hara’s guidance, has grown to become one of the largest search and rescue teams in New York state, as well as the best trained and equipped team.

O’Hara’s nomination was solidified by a series of letters of recommendation by DEC rangers and search and rescue personnel, praising his work as CASART’s founder.

“Greg O’Hara epitomizes what we look for in a Hall of Fame candidate. He is someone who selflessly gives of his time in an effort to improve the outdoor experience and make it safe and enjoyable for everyone,” Maloney said.

The induction ceremony will be held at the Rusty Rail Restaurant on Route 5 in Canastota on Saturday, April 27.

LeeAnn and Jim Helmes along with their daughter, SaraBelle will lead this year’s Valentine Parade. Wende Carr photo.

LeeAnn and Jim Helmes of Old Forge will lead the Sweethearts Parade, the kick-off event of the Old Forge Winter Carnival on Friday, February 15.

The Helmeses, who were married on Valentine’s Day of 2004, were nominated as grand marshals by friends.

Avid skiers, the couple exchanged vows in a mountaintop ceremony at Ptarmagin Roost at Loveland Basin in Colorado.

As they lead the parade up Main Street, Jim and LeeAnn will be joined by their daughter, Sarabelle, 4.

The Valentine-themed parade will begin from the Town of Webb School bus circle at 6:30 p.m.

All are invited to join in the spirit of the carnival weekend.

The Helmeses wedding photo at Loveland Basin in Colorado