Salmon River Winter Festival Returns January 27-29

January 20, 2023

of all year The Salmon River Winter Festival runs from Friday, January 27th through Sunday, January 29th. Enjoy family weekends and winter activities in Pulaski and surrounding areas.

Enjoy delicious food samples in our annual Macaroni & Cheese, Chili & Chicken Wings Challenge! The competition will begin on Friday from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, starting with macaroni and cheese. Chilean tastings on Saturdays and wing walks on Sundays from noon to 6pm on weekends.

Two wing samples are back for this year’s Wing Walk, but the macaroni, cheese and chili tasting portion remains 2 oz. Free hot cocoa will be served at each participating location, courtesy of the Half-Shire Historical Society.

The number of stores participating in this year’s food competition is the highest ever!

The following locations are participating in all three challenges.

• Altmar Hotels: 6 Mill St., Altmar, 315-298-5460
• Half-Shire Historical Society: Let’s Go Brandon BBQ at 1100 Co. Rte. 48, Richland, 315-298-2986
• Richland Hotel: 243 Main Street, Richland, 315-298-4381
• Fairways and Dreams: 6927 NYS Rte. 3, Richland, 315-509-4542
• LD’s on the River: 4838 Jefferson St., Pulaski, 315-509-4254
• End Zone Sports Bar: 3435 Maple Ave., Pulaski, 315-298-7788
• 11 North Bar and Grill: 5233 US Rte. 11, Pulaski, 315-298-5858
• Olde School Pub: 2066 Harwood Dr., Sandy Creek, 315-387-7047
• JD’s Tavern and Grill, 6059 S. Main St., Sandy Creek, 315-387-7001
• Pond Pit BBQ, 8883 NYS Rte. 3, Sandy Creek, 315-387-7261
• 3M Sandbar and Restaurant: 8431 NYS Rte. 3, Pulaski, 315-387-7116
• Kyle’s Wigwam: 45 Wigwam Dr., Pulaski, 315-387-7177
• Taco Bob’s Wayside Inn: 1376 NYS Rte. 3, Mansville, 315-387-3766
• Mill House Market: 3790 NYS Rte. 13, Pulaski, 315-298-4104
• Pulaski-Boylston Snowmobile Club: 5001 Jefferson St., Pulaski, 315-298-3522

The following locations are only participating in the Macaroni and Cheese and Chili Challenge.

• Amy’s Eddie’s Cove: 28 Lakeshore Rd., Pulaski, 315-387-6828
• Pulaski VFW Post #7289: 4815 Salina St., Pulaski, 315-298-2660
• RiverHouse Restaurant: 4818 Salina St., Pulaski, 315-509-4281

The following locations are participating in Saturday’s Chili Challenge only.

• Ma Barker’s Tavern: 5095 US Rte. 11, Pulaski, 315-298-2475

Ballots will be on sale starting Thursday, January 26th at the Half-Shire Historical Society in Richland and Design of Elegance Floral in Pulaski, with a $18 pre-sale discount on all three Food Challenges. Starting Friday, January 27, his one-day ballots will go on sale at each participating location. Macaroni, Cheese and Chili Food Challenge votes are $5 each and Wing Walk votes are $10.

Once you’ve voted for your favorite food, head to Selkirk Shores State Park on Saturday from 10am to 1pm for some winter fun. Horse-drawn carriage rides, children’s scavenger hunts, winter crafts, snacks, and hot cocoa are provided. Weather permitting, free bonfire and snowshoe rentals are also provided. When it snows, the Sandy Pond Sportsman Club hosts a snow sculpture competition.

While you’re out and about, check out other happenings nearby. On Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, take the kids to the Salmon River Fine Arts Center and make colorful snowflakes for free.

Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and coffee at the Half Shire Historical Society craft show and sale. The sale will be held Friday through Sunday from 11am to 6pm at the Association building at 1100 Co. Rte. 48, Richland.

If it snows at the festival, the Pulaski Boylston Snowmobile Club offers dog sledding on Saturdays from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for $10 per person. In addition to participating in all three food challenges, the club will also offer a raffle. Check out the club, sign up for membership, and get club apparel while you’re there!

During the festival, many venues participating in the Food Challenge will also host live entertainment.

LD’s on the River features Brett Falso on Saturday from 2pm to 5pm and Dumb Dog on Sunday from 2pm. Crazy Al Karaoke takes place Friday and Saturday from 9pm to 2am at Ma Barker’s Tavern. The Monkey Duo will be performing at the Pond Pit BBQ on Saturday from 6pm until he’s 9pm. Hell Fish will perform at Fairways and Dreams on Saturday at 7:30pm, while Jaw Battle will take place at 11 North Bar and Grill on Friday from 7-10pm and Sunday from 1-4pm .

Other properties are still adjusting their entertainment schedules. For the latest entertainment information, visit his Salmon River Winter Festival Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OswegoCountywintercarnival/.

On Sundays, Lake Ontario’s bloom riders will enchant you. The Bloomriders will perform a dance at the Richland Hotel at 2pm to raise awareness for Ellins Her Angels, a charity that provides food for local children in need. The Richland Hotel will also have a free jukebox on all three days of the festival.

The Salmon River Winter Festival is an annual event held by the Half Shire Historical Society. Proceeds from the food challenge will go towards the society’s Emma Schroeder Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to outstanding graduates of Pulaski. Additional revenue will contribute to the cost of relocating the rail depot to the Association’s property in Richland.

For the full Salmon River Winter Festival schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/OswegoCountywintercarnival/ or contact Shawn Doyle at spdinpul@hotmail.com or 315-602-6388.