Plans are underway for another Winterfest.
Ed Atwood, who handles publicity for the Winterfest executive committee, said volunteers will run the event from now on through Penn Soil RC&D. They have to secure insurance, he said, but they don't have a firm commitment on that front yet.
After getting insurance, Ed Atwood said the group will need permits from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Bureau of State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service. To afford the event, there also has to be sponsors.
The cost of Winterfest is around $12,000, Atwood said, but it's free to the public. That means the money has to come from somewhere else, he said, and the committee has about $1,200 on hand.
"We need big-time sponsors," Atwood said. "We'll see how we make out."
A couple months ago, Atwood said, committee members met with the Warren County Commissioners. While they support the event, he said they can't do so with money.
On June 7, the committee will have another meeting at Chapman State Park to go over finances and insurance. In late August or September there will be an open meeting.
"That's nice because you get input from other people," Atwood said. "For the nitty-gritty stuff you have to have a handful of people get it done."
According to Atwood, Bill Massa has worked on getting funding and checking on foundations that could provide it. He's done paperwork and spreadsheets outlining what can be expended and where.
Other committee members are Major Ronald Starnes, Wes Ramsey, Jim McCorkle, Sharon Miller who serves as chair. A recent meeting of the committee went well, Atwood said, and solidified who will do what.
"It's rough getting money," he said. "If you have any suggestions for sponsors or know somebody who has time to be an administrator of Winterfest, we're open."
More information is available at the event website www.warrencountywinterfest.com or the Warren County Winterfest Facebook page. Winterfest is scheduled for Jan. 18-20, 2013 at Chapman State Park.