It won't be the Capitals vs. the Penguins at Heinz Field, but the 2011 Warren County Winterfest will include its very own version of the Winter Classic.
In an effort to branch out and find new and interesting events, the Warren County Council on Tourism (COT) has added Pond Hockey to the Winterfest schedule.
Teams of up to six, with four players on the ice at a time, will compete in youth and adult divisions, with anyone age 16 and over considered an adult.
The games will start at 10 a.m., Sunday, January 23, at Chapman State Park. A skills competition will follow with youth competing from 2 to 2:30 p.m. and adults taking the ice from 3:30 to 4 p.m.
"We do try to bring new events if possible each year to the festival," COT Executive Director John Papalia Jr. said. "Last year we introduced adventure racing, which was a huge success, and we are hoping that pond hockey will do the same for the Sunday portion of Winterfest."
Instead of bringing in a zamboni, COT is working with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at the park to create a smooth playing surface.
"We are working with Chapman State Park to have a separate skating area cleared and smoothed for the event," Papalia said. "The park will pump water into a cleared-off area on the lake and then push it all over so that it freezes a nice smooth layer."
Information about the event and registration forms are available at www.warrenadventures.com.
Teams may register on the day of the event starting at 9 a.m.
Organizers are hoping to turn Pond Hockey into an ongoing Winterfest event.
"We are hoping to start on a small scale this year and grow the event in the future," Papalia said.
