Don't Flake on Presque Isle Snow Day

Dean Zeller

Presque Isle State Park is a gorgeous and breathtaking place, even in the depths of winter. The Presque Isle Partnership's Snow Day event is intended to enlighten visitors to the recreational treasures it holds in the off-season.

Saturday, Jan. 25

In Northwestern Pennsylvania, trench warfare is most often waged with snow shovels. With steely hearts and steamy breath, we push through millions of crystalline blockaders on our way to work or school, unfazed. For battle-hardened Erieites, "Snow Days" are traditionally discretionary. If it's possible to start the car, get out the driveway, and build up enough momentum to reach the smoother sailing of the nearest thoroughfare, then it's probably business as usual around these parts. Pedestrians, use your Inuition and dress for the weather.

Presque Isle Partnership's (PIP) Snow Day is also voluntary — but you should strongly consider delaying or canceling other plans nonetheless. Transform winter weariness into winter curiousness across seven activity stations at Presque Isle State Park's Waterworks area, each showcasing a fun recreational alternative to impersonating a banana slug at home in your down comforter. Collectively, PIP and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) seek to promote Presque Isle as a park for all seasons.

Activities include geocaching, cast-iron cooking (in the style of Erie's No. 1 homeskillet Joe Root), horse-drawn carriage rides, ice fishing, dog sledding (with Red Sky Working Siberians), bird feeder crafting, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing (weather permitting where applicable). Animals currently living at the Erie Zoo will stop by from 10 til noon, while previously living animals from Presque Isle stay the duration at the Skins and Skulls exhibit. They don't get out as much these days.

Fortunately for you, though, you still can. Just make sure the driveway's clear.

— Matt Swanseger

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. // 1 Peninsula Dr. // Free admission, chili and hot cocoa available for purchase // discoverpi.com/events/snowday