Alex Brown of Port Angeles jumps a few inches off the ground while skiing through the trees on Hurricane Ridge during last year's winter season. Peninsula Daily News

Alex Brown of Port Angeles jumps a few inches off the ground while skiing through the trees on Hurricane Ridge during last year's winter season. Peninsula Daily News

WEEKEND: Winterfest looks ahead to playing on the Ridge

PORT ANGELES — Winterfest will celebrate the upcoming snow sports season on the North Olympic Peninsula with food, music and films of people in action Saturday.

It’s a “laid-back gala,” according to Frank Crippen, past president of the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation.

It begins at 6 p.m. at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.

Doors open at 5 p.m.

“It has super impact: It keeps the infrastructure of the [Hurricane] Ridge running,” Crippen said. “Dress up and come down for great food and great people.”

Winterfest adult admission is $45 in advance and $50 at the door. It is $25 for children 12 and younger. Tables for eight are $320. Tables are reserved with the name of the donor or group prominently displayed.

Winterfest is the pre-season fundraiser for the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation.

The foundation supports the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club, a nonprofit group that operates ski lifts at the snowplay area south of Port Angeles on weekends and some holidays each winter, usually from mid-December through March.

On Saturday night, a prime rib dinner prepared by Next Door Gastropub will be accompanied by live and silent auctions, old-time rock music by the duo Bill and Rudy, and a series of short films featuring localskiers and snowboarders at Hurricane Ridge.

The films were top contenders in theVideOlympics, a film contest the Winter Sports Club hosted in the spring to promote outdoor activities on the Peninsula.

Sporty films

This year’s films include:

■ “Hurricane Ridge — Party Like It’s 1999” and “2013 Hurricane Ridge Baked Slalom,” by Tim Stanford.

■ “1 Day at Salt Creek,” by Bill Roberds.

■ “Hurricane Ridge Film Fest,” by the McColl brothers.

■ “Dedicated,” by David Herberg.

■ “Olympic Decathalon,” by Sean Halberg.

■ “Just for the Huck of It,” by Stephan Canale.

■ “Paradise,” by the Z Boys.

At one time, Winterfest was accompanied by the Hurricane Ridge Outdoor Gear Swap, but the gear swap, held last Saturday this year, has grown to the point that it needs its own weekend, Crippen said.

“The ski swap is bigger and better. It has grown into its own event,” he said.

Winterfest tickets can be purchased in Port Angeles at Swain’s General Store, 602 E. First St.; Necessities and Temptations gift shop, 217 N. Laurel St.; and Brown’s Outdoor Shop, 112 W. Front St..

In Sequim, tickets can be purchased at Brian’s Sporting Goods, 542 W. Washington St.

Checks can be made payable to Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation, 136 E. Eighth St., PMB 218, Port Angeles, WA 98362.

Contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible.

For more information regarding community tables, phone Eric Flodstrom at 360-452-2327, ext. 304.

________

Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.

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