By RANDY BARTLEY
Staff writer
There was no snow at the annual Cook Forest Snowman in the Forest event Saturday but that didn’t stop an estimated 300 people from attending.
“This is our Snowman in the Forest minus the snow,” said Susie Irwin, the president of the Cook Forest Vacation Bureau. “This is the first time we have been able to hold the event in three years. Last year the river flooded and the year before was COVID.” The Snowman event has been held along River Drive for the past 12 years.
Irwin said the turn out was “very good.” This year. She said many of the people attending were staying in the cabins in the area.
“Of course when you have snow you have a better turn out,” said Irwin. “Then you can build snowmen and sled ride.”
The events included a chili cook-off, refreshments, a horse-drawn carriage ride and a happy dog contest. Unlike other canine contests, children selected the dog who displayed the best happy tail.
Cracker Jack Farms from Bemus Point, N.Y. brought their carriage and a pair of Percheron horses to pull it. “Mike” and “Merle” were kept busy for most the afternoon pulling delighted carriage riders.
What wasn’t held were the snowman building contest and sled riding.
Irwin said 16 people entered the chili contest, which was about average. Nicole Cummings won the award for the hottest chili and Bob Roy of Punxsutawney won the award for the mild chili.
Many people were walking in the woods or just watching the Clarion River. “This is a good day with the family that doesn’t cost anything,” said Irwin.