Town Departments Organize New Mid-Winter Festival Centered On Community And Education

BREWSTER – After the holiday chaos, the department of natural resources is aiming to spark a little joy while also educating residents about a different kind of spark: the kind that starts fires.

In collaboration with the council on aging and the fire department, the DNR is hosting a mid-winter festival centered around community, education, fire safety and sweet treats. 

“The purpose of the event is to really provide a no-spend community gathering that provides two things,” said Cassandra West, the senior department assistant for the department of natural resources. “[It] helps attendees decompress from the holidays through crafts, hot beverages and camaraderie and educates residents about fire safety at the beginning of burn season.” 

On Saturday, Jan. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m., residents can stop by the council on aging campus to indulge in a winter blues cure: soup. Sponsored by Chatham Bars Inn, Ocean Edge Resort and Stop and Shop, the event will feature an array of seasonal soups, chili and cornbread. There will also be hot beverages including hot chocolate, coffee, tea and cider. 

Contained fire pits will be placed on the bocce courts outside the COA for s’mores stations, which participants can make themselves. 

To warm up, guests can head indoors where the COA knitting and crocheting club is partnering with the COA quilting club to provide a BYOY (bring your own yarn) event. Members of the young knitters recreation program will also be in attendance with a kid-friendly craft. 

Informational tents will be placed along the walkway around campus, inviting attendees to stroll through educational booths on fire safety, ecological conservation and natural habitats. 

The DNR will provide information about upcoming winter land management projects around town and updates to the Barnstable County wildfire preparedness plan. The Brewster Pollinators will showcase information about the pollinator pathway and provide take-home kits of native seed starting packs. 

“The natural resources department will be able to present information to residents on land management activities that we undertake in the winter,” said West. “It’s something that we really view as an opportunity to engage the public on things that the natural resources department is doing to help maintain healthy habitats forests in our town.”

The department of conservation and recreation will provide fire prevention information along with detailed dioramas. 

Dave Crary, the former fire expert for the National Seashore, will educate residents on land management and the use of fire as a technique for managerial purposes. 

Smokey the Bear will also make an appearance, walking around the campus and taking photos. The fire department will provide vehicles for a touch-a-truck activity for kids. 

This free event will be held right before burn permits are available, which begins Jan. 15. The DNR is hoping to make it a regular event each winter called Brewster in Winter. 

If weather cancels the event, it will move to Feb. 21.