Kickoff for the Merrill Winterfest Weekend will begin Friday night, Jan. 23, with a Candlelight walk/ski at Council Grounds State Park from 4-7 p.m. The Merrill Park and Recreation Department will also have an open skate at the Smith Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with a DJ rinkside playing all your favorites and giving away some great prizes. Cost for the open skate will be $3 admission and $2 for skate rental.
Saturday, Jan. 24 will continue with some fun activities throughout the community also. The Merrill Park and Recreation Department will be hosting a Co-ed Volleyball Tournament at Kate Goodrich School. At least 12 teams are sought to participate in the tournament. Cost for a team to get into the tournament is $60. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams in the tournament. Each team is guaranteed two matches, double elimination and games will be played on two courts throughout the day. Concessions will be available at the tournament. Call Dawn to get your team signed up at 715-536-7313.
For the second year, the Merrill Optimist Club will be hosting the Cardboard Sled races at Lions Park with registration starting at 11 a.m., judging sleds will be at 11:30 a.m. and races beginning at noon. Prizes will be awarded as soon as races are completed at the bottom of the hill. The Merrill Octogan Club will be selling hot chocolate in the warming house. Prizes will be awarded to “Best Use of Color,” “Best Construction/Durability” and “Best Theme/Details.” More information and registration forms can be found on Merrill Park and Recreation Facebook or you can contact the Merrill Optimist Club.
Merrill Ice Drags will kick off the race season on Saturday, Jan. 24 at Council Grounds State Park with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and racing starting at noon. Admission to the race is free. The Merrill Ice Drags are celebrating 50 years this year.
The International Sled Dog Racing Association-sanctioned races, sponsored by the Wisconsin Trail-blazers Sled Dog Club will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday at Pine River School for Young Learners. Admission is free.
TB Scott Library will also be hosting a cookbook exchange on Saturday. Bring in a gently used cookbook and exchange it for a different one.
Merrill High School Varsity Hockey team will take the ice at 4 p.m. at the Smith Center. Come out and cheer on the Merrill Bluejay Hockey Team.
End a full day of events at Kathy & Cal’s Club 64 for a Winterfest Spaghetti Supper from 5- 7:30 p.m.
To sign up for the Co-ed volleyball tournament call Dawn at the Merrill Park and Recreation Department at 715-536-7313 or you can also email Dawn at [email protected] .